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2002 Ford F-350 Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 116 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford F-350, most often about the engine (19% of complaints, typically around 54,500 miles). It is 8th of 14 F-350 model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.

Complaints116
Recalls2
Crashes reported11
Fires reported7
Injuries reported92 deaths reported

Most common 2002 Ford F-350 problems

  1. Engine

    22 complaints · 19%

    Half of these problems showed up before 54,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.

    : the contact stated while traveling 30 MPH, a bang was heard from the engine. The vehicle was idling rough and pulled over. Upon inspection, the contact found a spark plug on top of the engine. The dealership was alerted, but the contact is repairing the vehicle.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 60,400 miles
    The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was merged to the shoulder and towed to the dealer. The dealer inspected and replaced the cam shaft position sensor. The initial failure occurred in 2006 and would recur every two years…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 49,000 miles

  2. Wheels and tires

    22 complaints · 19%

    Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, temporary/emergency spare tire.

    The contact owns a 2002 Ford f350 tread ways el dorado ztr sport lt. The contact was driving approximately 40 MPH when the vehicle began to vibrate excessively. The contact was unable to control the vehicle and crashed into a ditch. The contact was uninjured. A police report was available. The contact stated that…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 66,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-350 equipped with cooper dean mud terrain radial sxt tires, size: lt285/75r16. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle shook as it slowed down and the rear driver's side tire blew out. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the tire did not fall within the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 62,086 miles

  3. Steering

    16 complaints · 14%

    Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, steering wheel/handle bar, gear box (other than rack and pinion), column locking.

    While braking after driving 30 MPH, vehicle lost power steering control. Consumer managed to regain control of vehicle, and pulled over to side of the road. Took vehicle to dealership where mechanic determined the cause of steering problem.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 63,000 miles
    October 5, 2004 a fairfax county vehicle # 6382, 2002 Ford f350 was involved in a vehicle accident that resulted in the possible injury of a pregnant female. The female driver stopped for a fast tran bus and the driver of the county vehicle attempted to stop and as he turned the steering wheel to the left the vehicle…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 28,398 miles

  4. Electrical

    14 complaints · 12%

    Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: starter assembly, wiring, alternator/generator/regulator.

    I have a 2002 Ford F-350. I have just had to replace my alternator for the second time. I called Ford customer relations and they said there was nothing they would do to help with the costs at this time. It is a part that should last many years and for me to be on my third with a truck this new means to me that there…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 70,500 miles
    On may 13, 2014, a recall letter was received from Ford. Ref. No. 09s09-speed control deactivation fire. I called sonora Ford to schedule an appointment to repair the risk. According to [] in the service department parts were on back order. He took my contact information and advised he would contact me in about a week…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 55,302 miles

  5. Brakes

    11 complaints · 10%

    Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, power assist.

    While driving/braking low speeds, the consumer can hear/see the front passenger side brakes dragging/squeaking noise. The dealerships mechanic inform the consumer that the problem was pertaining to the brake caliper bolt failure , but did not resolve the problem. Please provide more information
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 64,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-350. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the pedal erroneously traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised the contact that the brake lines were corroded and leaking brake fluid.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 68,000 miles

  6. Transmission

    10 complaints · 9%

    Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: clutch assembly, automatic transmission, axle assembly.

    While driving 55 MPH down a high way, the consumer heard a loud explosion, at first the consumer thought there was a tire blow out. When the vehicle was examined the consumer saw the axle had exploded and was on fire. There were no injuries in this incident. The manufacturer and the dealer are aware of the problem.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 42,000 miles
    Failure of the clutch master cylinder resulted in a stalled vehicle in the number 1 lane of I-80w out of sacramento, ca. Very heavy labor day traffic prevented an accident. (stop and go traffic). As a result of the failure, the truck wouldn't shift into gear after the gear shift lever was placed in neutral.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 89,560 miles

  7. Speed control

    7 complaints · 6%

    Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.

    While coming to a stop accelerated to a high rate. Consumer managed to stop the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Dealer installed a flight recorder which was borrowed from another vehicle. With the flight recorder installed, consumer didn't experience any incident for 4 weeks. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 28,000 miles
    Dt: the consumer stated that 2002 Ford f350 stalled and accelerated when the brakes were on. The truck stalled intermittently. This happened a couple of times a week. Acceleration was happening all the time when the consumer was at a stop light. This was happening for a year. The consumer has not had the truck checked…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 11,000 miles

  8. Suspension

    6 complaints · 5%

    Parts named most often: front.

    I noticed a slight rubbing sound coming from the front end of my f350 4x4 dually truck. I was pulling a 36 bumper pull camper at the time. The noise increased, and a squealing noise started. I pulled to the side of the road to prevent further damage. The drivers side front hub and fallen apart, and the wheel was about…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 53,000 miles
    Tl contact owns a 2002 Ford f350. While driving 60 MPH, the contact lost control of the steering and the vehicle rolled over. The police inspected the vehicle and stated that there was a mechanical failure on the front suspension. The rollover crash destroyed the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 10,000.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 10,000 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-350 recalls

  1. Lights: brake lights

    NHTSA 11V352000 · July 13, 2011 · 26,715 vehicles

    Risk: Non-functioning lights could increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the switches free of charge. The safety recall began on august 15, 2011. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

    Full defect summary

    Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 ranger trucks built from january 25, 2011, through april 25, 2011 at the twin cities assembly plant, and service parts distributed to dealers for certain 2004 through 2011 model year ranger trucks, 2002 through 2005 model year excursion vehicles, and 2002 through 2007 model year f-250, f-350, f-450, and f-550 trucks for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the multi-function switch was shipped with a subcomponent (slider) that may experience deformation. A multi-function switch with a deformed slider may malfunction causing the turn signal, tail lights, hazard warning signal flashers and/or brake lights not to activate.

  2. Speed control: vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 06V286000 · August 1, 2006 · 1,200,000 vehicles

    Risk: Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.

    Fix: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on august 7, 2006. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332. (note: also see recalls 05v017 and 05v388)

    Full defect summary

    On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.

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-350

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford F-350?
By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (22 complaints, typically around 54,500 miles); wheels and tires (22 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles); steering (16 complaints, typically around 63,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford F-350 have?
2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 13, 2011 (lights). 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-350?
It is 8th of 14 F-350 model years by number of complaints, with 116 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-350 years

Ford F-350 problems by year