Home › Ford › F-150 › 2002

2002 Ford F-150 Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 821 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford F-150, most often about the engine (32% of complaints, typically around 96,500 miles). It is 16th of 27 F-150 model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.

Complaints821
Recalls2
Crashes reported51
Fires reported95
Injuries reported60

Most common 2002 Ford F-150 problems

  1. Engine

    262 complaints · 32%

    Half of these problems showed up before 96,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.

    I was driving my 2002 Ford F-150 when the spark plug (3rd one on passenger side blew out of the head on the engine. The engine is a 4.6 liter triton engine. It made a large bang then a thumping noise and loss of power to engine so I hurried and pulled over and shut the engine off. Tried to put spark plug back in. It…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 95,500 miles
    Engine on my 2002 Ford f150 with 88,000 miles blew a spark plug while driving at approximately 45 MPH. Causing approximately $2,900 worth of damage. Vehicle was pulled over immediately and towed to the closest repair facility. Mechanic said this is a common problem with the Ford f150 triton v8 engines that Ford won't…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 88,000 miles

  2. Electrical

    106 complaints · 13%

    Half of these problems showed up before 86,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, alternator/generator/regulator, instrument cluster/panel.

    My vehicle has a water leak that is getting the gem module wet and this has resulted in the wipers failing, the power windows to fail, the heater fan stays on after the key is removed from the ignition, and the engine runs very rough and stalls resulting in me losing the power steering and putting the vehicle in a…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 85,000 miles
    2002 Ford F-150 windshield leaks causing damage to electrical system (fuse box and electrical module). Many issue happening including windshield wipers not working and shorting out the airbag deactivation switch. Windshield repair facility states this was a known issue with the priming of the windshields at…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 88,000 miles

  3. Fuel system

    86 complaints · 11%

    Half of these problems showed up before 130,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.

    I own a 2002 Ford f150 with the triton 5.4l v-8. I have had spark plugs eject from 3 different cylinders now and Ford claims it is not a recall issue. This problem has been noted on many of the Ford vehicles with the triton 5.4 v-8. When the spark plug is ejected fuel vapor can leak into the engine compartment and…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 130,000 miles
    I smelled gas fumes near my 2002 f150 truck. Looked underneath to inspect where smell was coming from and found the back brace on the gas tank broken off and rusted out hole in the tank where the brace was supposed to be.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 130,000 miles

  4. Speed control

    86 complaints · 11%

    Half of these problems showed up before 118,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, accelerator pedal.

    01/22/09 I park my 2002 f150 at work at about 4:00pm. About 04:40pm the fire alarm sounded. My truck wes on fire, I had just park it! The fire man said it was on the recall list for fire's.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 120,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2002 Ford f150. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire from under the hood while the vehicle was parked. The fire department was called to assist and a fire report was filed. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire but the vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was previously…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 116,000 miles

  5. Transmission

    53 complaints · 7%

    Half of these problems showed up before 54,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, clutch assembly, axle assembly.

    My 2002 Ford f150 needed to have the transmission rebuilt. My overdrive light was blinking on and off and I later found out the entire transmission needed to be rebuilt. I've been reading online from several people who have had this same problem. It seems like Ford has some type of problem with this year. I don't…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 54,260 miles
    In my case there were three separate occurrences where my spark plugs shot out of my engine. The first time it happened on the highway cruising along about 70 MPH. I actually thought I blew a tire.this was at night so in the morning I checked it out with a friend's help and saw the plug sitting right where it wasn't…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 56,000 miles

  6. Seat belts

    50 complaints · 6%

    Half of these problems showed up before 94,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear/other.

    Driver side front seat belt unlatched without depressing button. Usually I turn male end over to avoid. Problem. Has been occurring since 2009 90000 mi.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 90,000 miles
    My son was driving our 2002 Ford F-150 the first time the seatbelt disengaged. It happens often. I called the local dealership and they told me there is no recall on this seatbelt. I have let this go long enough. I am calling Ford to see what they can do about this potentially deadly problem. I just hope this helps…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 90,000 miles

  7. Body and structure

    45 complaints · 6%

    Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.

    My vehicle has a water leak that is getting the gem module wet and this has resulted in the wipers failing, the power windows to fail, the heater fan stays on after the key is removed from the ignition, and the engine runs very rough and stalls resulting in me losing the power steering and putting the vehicle in a…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 85,000 miles
    Paint peeling in small sheets around edges of hood. Several complaints found online but, can find no recall on vehicle. Has aluminum hood also. Only paint peeling as primer still showing.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 84,000 miles

  8. Brakes

    41 complaints · 5%

    Half of these problems showed up before 74,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages, indicator light.

    While driving at approximately 55 MPH, the 2002 Ford f150 power adjustable foot pedals ( gas and brake) randomly engaged causing the vehicle to instantly increase speed. A new brake pedal assembly #3l3z*2455 was installed to correct the failure.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 74,440 miles
    The car was stopping to drop off mail at a mailbox. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor. Inspection revealed brake fluid on the gas tank. A rusted brake line was the cause. Dealer replaced the line at cost of $511.95 including brake fluid flush. The rear brake line was replaced. It runs from the front to the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 74,332 miles

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 F-150 recalls

  1. Fuel system: mounting

    NHTSA 11V385000 · July 29, 2011 · 1,100,000 vehicles

    Risk: As a result of the corrosion, one or both straps may fail allowing the fuel lines to separate from the tank, or in some cases, causing the tank to contact the ground. Either scenario may result in a fuel leak presenting a fire hazard.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a ford or lincoln dealer to have the fuel tank straps replaced with straps that have increased corrosion protection. Early in this campaign, if replacement straps are not available, dealers may install a cable support under the strap as an interim repair or a steel reinforcement over the existing strap as a permanent repair. Any repairs will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on september 16, 2011. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign num

    Full defect summary

    Ford is recalling certain 1997 through 2003 model year ford f-150, 2004 model year ford f-150 heritage, 1997 through 1999 model year f-250 less than 8,500 lbs. Gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr), and 2002 and 2003 lincoln blackwood vehicles manufactured from june 20, 1995, through august 4, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. Prolonged exposure to road deicing chemicals may cause severe corrosion of the fuel tank straps which secure the tank to the vehicle.

  2. Speed control: vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 05V388000 · September 7, 2005 · 4,500,000 vehicles

    Risk: A fire at the switch could occur.

    Fix: By letter dated september 12, 2005, owners were instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected. Owners who have had their speed control deactivated are being notified that parts will be available and advised to make an appointment to reconnect the speed control beginning in february 2006. Owners who did not have their speed control deactivated are being notified to have their system remedied beginning in february 2006. Owners are urged to avail themselves of the free disconnect service as soon as possible because of the significa

    Full defect summary

    On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may 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

Questions about the 2002 Ford F-150

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford F-150?
By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (262 complaints, typically around 96,500 miles); electrical (106 complaints, typically around 86,500 miles); fuel system (86 complaints, typically around 130,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford F-150 have?
2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 29, 2011 (fuel system). 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 F-150?
It is 16th of 27 F-150 model years by number of complaints, with 821 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.

Other Ford F-150 years

Ford F-150 problems by year