KnownCarProblems2002 Ford E-350 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford E-350, most often about the engine (38% of complaints, typically around 95,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about E-350 model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2002 Ford E-350 problems
Engine
20 complaints · 38%Half of these problems showed up before 95,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The truck shuts off. It sometimes is intermittent (runs fine at cruise, but wont idle) or it could be absolute. (truck just up and died! No reason!) there is no timeline, no precursor, no warning. I can drive for 200 miles, then it happens, or 1 to 7 miles. The failure is a stall. Engine light comes on, if a stall…
Ford 2002 E-350 5.4l triton. Two spark plugs have blown out so far. Original plugs appx 95,000 miles. Ford says the plugs should not be changed until 100,000 miles.
Wheels and tires
8 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 43,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, sidewall.
I have a 2002 e350 Ford ext sd van that came with OEM goodyear wrangler ht lre 245/75r/16 tires. The veh was obtained new in june 2002. Since new the tires sidewalls were cracked and dry, after driving on them a while the sidewalls had minor bulges, and more cracks. The tires were rotated/bal/and proper psi at all…
(1) normal tire rotated every 3000 miles run with 55 lbs. Front 85 lbs. Rear checked weekly (2) side wall on both inside and outside dry rotted to point of air pockets are forming on outside of tires. (3) tires replaced with bridgestone v-steel r265 I went to two different goodyear dealers 1st in ormond beach fl the…
Electrical
6 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 96,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring.
The truck shuts off. It sometimes is intermittent (runs fine at cruise, but wont idle) or it could be absolute. (truck just up and died! No reason!) there is no timeline, no precursor, no warning. I can drive for 200 miles, then it happens, or 1 to 7 miles. The failure is a stall. Engine light comes on, if a stall…
I was driving my van when a very loud explosion occured. Pull over to side of road and shut off van. Exited van and smelled a strong gasoline odor. Open hood and found a spark plug & coil laying on top of engine! The spark plug just exploded out. This van was taken to dealer and the "heavy" tech said that this has…
Fuel system
6 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles.
Delaminating fuel tanks on Ford E-350 ambulances. Causes damage to the fuel pump then stalling where it needs to be towed. This situation is with patients on board. This problem needs to be checked out and recalls done. The cost to repair is $1,370.46 per truck. We own 8 of them all with the same problem.
2002 Ford e350 diesel van. We bought the van with 32k miles on it. We replaced the first gas tank with 65k miles in pa after it broke down on I-81. We replaced the second gas tank at 80k miles at otis Ford in quogue, ny. We are now going to replace the tank again, tank #3, because the same issue is happening again.…
Brakes
5 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Truck wobbling to the point of almost wrecking...was told it was wheelbearing,rotors,tierod ect. I now realize Ford has a problem with the trucks regarding uncontrollable shaking , it is very scary when this happens. I also owned a 2003 and 2004 had to sell them because the turbo kept blowing off and fuel injectors…
Seat belts
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: front.
Suspension
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: front.
Truck wobbling to the point of almost wrecking...was told it was wheelbearing,rotors,tierod ect. I now realize Ford has a problem with the trucks regarding uncontrollable shaking , it is very scary when this happens. I also owned a 2003 and 2004 had to sell them because the turbo kept blowing off and fuel injectors…
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-350 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.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as necessary. Sure-lok is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Owners should contact sure-lock at 1-908-231-1804 or accubuilt at 419-222-1501.
Full defect summary
On certain vans built on ford e250/e350 chassis and equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
Equipment: labels
Risk: Failure to follow proper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation recommendation can result in tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners will be provided with supplementary tire labels containing correct information and installation instructions. If an owner so desires, their dealer can install the label for them. The recall began on july 8, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Certain vans and wagons fail to conform to the requirements of part 567, "certification." for certain 2003 e250 vans built with lt225/75r16e tires, the rear axle rating is incorrectly listed on the label. In addition, the tire pressure is incorrectly listed on the label for the rear tires on certain 2002 e350 wagons and for the front tires on certain 2002 e250 vans built with these tires.
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
Hvac switch failures
Summary
This investigation was opened based on one complaint and reports from four transportation fleets alleging 182 blower motor control switch failures.odi was concerned that these melting and burning switches could lead to an open flame that could spread throughout the vehicle.after a comprehensive review of all data related to overheating blower motor control switches in the subject vehicles, odi did not identify the existence of a safety defect trend.odi reviewed 1,036 complaints, claims, and field reports of failed blower motor control switches and determined that only two fires were likely to have been caused by a failing subject blower motor control switch.this represents a failure rate of
Hvac switch failures
Summary
Odi has received 1 complaint and reports from 4 transportation fleets alleging 182 switch failures.each fleet operates mini buses built on a ford e350 or e450 cutaway chassis.the OEM HVAC blower switches have melted, smoked, burned or experienced open flame and become inoperable on vehicles in each fleet.some drivers have reported a burning smell or smoke coming from the dash.one fleet reported a vehicle fire.no injuries were sustained.however, the bus was carrying special needs children when the driver noticed smoke coming from the dash.the driver was able to evacuate the children prior to the vehicle becoming engulfed in flames.this pe has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea) to d
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-350
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford E-350?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (20 complaints, typically around 95,500 miles); wheels and tires (8 complaints, typically around 43,000 miles); electrical (6 complaints, typically around 96,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Ford E-350 have?
- 5 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-350?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about E-350 model year since 2000, with 53 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.