A method of controlling exhaust gas recirculation for an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas recirculation control system comprises the step of determining that there is failure in the exhaust gas recirculation control system when a difference between an actual value of valve opening of an exhaust gas recirculation valve of the system arranged in an exhaust gas recirculation passage for controlling an amount of exhaust gases returned from an exhaust passage to an intake passage of the engine and a desired value of the valve opening of the exhaust gas recirculation valve is equal to or larger than a predetermined value which is dependent on operating conditions of the engine.