The invention provides an engine control device and an engine control method for vehicles. Determination criteria such as a torque threshold Qth and a time threshold Tth for an excessive torque state are changed based on a predetermined vehicle speed related parameter such as an accelerator opening degree. The determination criteria are changed such that when the vehicle speed related parameter is a value corresponding to a relatively high vehicle speed state, the excessive torque state is difficult to determine compared to when the vehicle speed related parameter is a value corresponding to a relatively low vehicle speed state.