KnownCarProblems2002 Ford E-150 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford E-150, most often about the brakes (18% of complaints). It is 4th of 18 E-150 model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2002 Ford E-150 problems
Brakes
5 complaints · 18%Parts named most often: disc, foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock.
Brakes failure,burned out caused by lack of lubrication at critical contact points of metal parts. Was not lubed at factory caused brake pads to stick against rotors and high tempatures, premature failure. Required extra brake petal force to stop vehicle.
On 11/04/04, recall work for ABS sensor was performed. At the same time, front brake pads were replaced by dealer - their suggestion ("10% left"). On 11/05, at highway speed in heavy traffic, dry-clear day, I needed to stop aggressively due to unknown traffic situation ahead. Spongy brake pedal went to the floor, no…
Wheels and tires
4 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: rim.
On 11/04/04, recall work for ABS sensor was performed. At the same time, front brake pads were replaced by dealer - their suggestion ("10% left"). On 11/05, at highway speed in heavy traffic, dry-clear day, I needed to stop aggressively due to unknown traffic situation ahead. Spongy brake pedal went to the floor, no…
I have had 3 2002 Ford OEM wheel rims develope stress cracks and leak air from the tires. This has happend to 3 of the 5 rims that I got on my 2002 e150 van. The last incident was july 3rd, 2005, but the first 2 times were earlier this year. All the cracks are in the center portion of the of the rim between the where…
Speed control
3 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: cruise control, cables.
Transmission
3 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
When on a small hill and stopped at a red light when you take your foot off the brake (when the light turns green) it rolls backwards. Eng 4.6l-v8. Customer service at dealer told me this is a characteristic of this particular transmission. This is the same transmission as some expeditions and they will do the same…
The contact owns a 2002 Ford E-150 van. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he noticed that there were only two bolts that were holding the drive shaft together and not the customary four. The contact purchased two bolts to install into the drive shaft. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for…
Electrical
3 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: horn.
During very wet weather, the horn does not work or works very faintly. This has happened multiple times. The van is a 2002. I have always had the recommended maintenance performd by the Ford dealership. I made a complaint to them on 2 occasions and was told there is nothing they can do about it. I have not had any…
In rainy/snowy weather horn fails to work intermittently. Therefore, consumer is unable to warn other drivers. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Engine
3 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: engine.
2002 Ford E-150 w/4.6- spark plug blew out of head ripping apart the plug boot and splitting the coil(over) in pieces. Spark plug will not retread into head.
I own a 2002 Ford e150 van with a 5.4 triton engine. The van has 98000 miles, and still has the original sparkplugs in it (mainly due to the fact that Ford doesn't recommend a change until 90k). While driving at approximately 20 MPH, I heard a "pop", and suddenly the van begin to drive sluggish and very loud. I was…
Fuel system
3 complaints · 11%The contact owns a 2002 Ford E-150. The contact stated that after having the vehicle serviced for routine maintenance, he was advised that the two straps which held the fuel tank in place were corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified and a complaint was filed. The…
Steering
3 complaints · 11%The contact owns a 2002 Ford E-150. The contact stated that the frame experienced severe corrosion. As a result, the vehicle lost steering ability because the bolts connected to the gear box, which were all connected to the frame, detached from the vehicle. The contact was able to safely maneuver the vehicle to the…
In a parking lot, I went to turn left, heard a loud clunk and the van just went straight. Lost all steering control. Luckily this happened in a parking lot and not on the road at higher speed. If this had occurred at speed, I would have hit oncoming traffic , or gone off the road into who knows what. Two separate…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Ford E-150 recalls
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Fix: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Speed control: cruise control
Risk: As a result, the fuse is located in the output circuit rather than in the intended input power feed circuit, and may not offer the intended protection in the event of an electrical short to ground.
Fix: Dealers will install a new wiring harness, or replace the mating electrical component. The recall began on february 18, 2008. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling 225,000 my 1992-2003 econoline, my 1993-1995 taurus sho, my 1992-1998 crown victoria, my 1993 bronco, f-series, my 1995-1997 f-series super duty stripped chassis, my 1992-1998 mercury grand marquis, and my 1992-1995 lincoln town car vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired using a wiring harness that is not compatible with the vehicle circuit polarity.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: This could result in an underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Full defect summary
On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
Summary
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehi
Questions about the 2002 Ford E-150
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford E-150?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (5 complaints); wheels and tires (4 complaints); speed control (3 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Ford E-150 have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 13, 2009 (speed control). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Ford E-150?
- It is 4th of 18 E-150 model years by number of complaints, with 28 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.