2002 Ford F-150

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 955 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 26 F-150 model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 955

Of the 2002 reports, 58 involved a crash and 100 involved a fire. 67 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine and engine cooling215 reports · 23% of complaints
Owner complaints955Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship10 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine and engine cooling215
  2. Electrical system112
  3. Vehicle speed control95
  4. Power train85
  5. Engine79
  6. Fuel system75
  7. Gasoline70
  8. Structure58

Recalls and investigations

  1. Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assembly, mountingJul 29, 2011

    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.

    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.

    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 NUMBER IS 11S21

    Campaign 11V385000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009

    DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

    Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

    SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

    Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Exterior lighting, headlightsAug 11, 2008

    K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

    WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

    Campaign 08E050000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Equipment, electricalAug 28, 2007

    CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.

    IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.

    ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

    Campaign 07E066000 on NHTSA.gov

  6. Exterior lighting, headlightsAug 1, 2006

    CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 331-1129L-ASN AND 331-1129R-ASN, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.

    Campaign 06E067000 on NHTSA.gov

  7. Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006

    CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

    LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

    Campaign 06E065000 on NHTSA.gov

  8. Fuel system, gasolineJun 13, 2006

    CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

    FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

    UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

    Campaign 06E056000 on NHTSA.gov

  9. Exterior lighting, headlightsJun 12, 2006

    CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMPS, P/NOS. FR208-B101R, FR208-B101L, FR208-B001R, AND FR208-B001L, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    SABRY LEE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER FULL CREDIT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLAMP. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JUNE 14, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABRY LEE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT 1-866-467-2279.

    Campaign 06E052000 on NHTSA.gov

  10. Vehicle speed controlSep 7, 2005

    ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

    A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.

    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 SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)

    Campaign 05V388000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: electrical system

112 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Electrical system, Oct 1, 2004

    WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT ALL THE ELECTRICALLY COMPLIENCES FAILED. TO COME ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT DUPLICATED. *AK

  2. Electrical system, Aug 31, 2004

    SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD. I HEAR THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY TIMES TO MENTION. I HAVE A 2002 HD - F-150 WITH 45,000 MILES ON IT.*AK

  3. Electrical system, Visibility, May 13, 2004

    WINDSHIELD SEAL LEAKED (RAIN) ALONG ROOFLINE CAUSING MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS VISIBLE ON DASH. SHORT CIRCUIT SOUNDS COMING FROM BEHIND DASHBOARD. WARNING LIGHTS, BLOWER MOTOR AND HEAD LIGHTS OPERATE WITHOUT KEY IN THE IGNITION CAUSING BATTERY TO BE DRAINED. WIPERS CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. DOOR WINDOWS STOP WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE SHIFTS INTO FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE WITHOUT WARNING. ENGINE RACES WHILE PARKED (REVS TO 4000 RPM AND RETURNS TO NORMAL). SALES MAN INFORMED THAT FORD WILL NOT COVER THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND TO BRING TRUCK TO DEALER (5/3/04). TRUCK WOULD NOT START UNTIL 5/8/04. SEAL TO WINDSHIELD SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE ON LEFT SIDE WHILE DRIVING TO DEALERSHIP (5/10/04). THE TRUCK NOW HAS EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE. TRUCK WILL NO LONGER START (5/11/04). I CALLED FORDS CUSTOMER AND REQUESTED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE FROM FORD INSPECT THE TRUCK. CUSTOMER SERVICE ASKED THAT THE TRUCK BE TOWED TO A FORD DEALER. TRUCK WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER. DEALER DID NOT WANT TO HELP ME CONTACT FORD AFTER I INFORMED THEM THAT THE TRUCK HAS A DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD SEAL. DEALERSHIP INFORMS ME ON 5/13/04 THAT THE ZONE SUPERVISOR FROM FORD SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, DEALER REFUSES TO PUT STATEMENT IN WRITING. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED ME THAT FOR A FEE, THEY COULD SEAL THE WINDSHIELD AND DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM BUT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED FROM SHOULD DO THE REPAIRS. *AK

  4. Electrical system, May 10, 2004

    IGNITION COIL MISFIRING, VEHICLE EXHIBITED OCCASIONAL MISS FIRE. UPON COLD START AFTER SITTING FOR SEVERAL DAYS PLUME OF BLUE SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE WAS NOTICED. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE EVENT BUT DETERMINED #1 IGNITION COIL WAS FIRING AT REDUCED CAPACITY. UNIT WAS REPLACED AND INCIDENT OF BLUE SMOKE AT COLD START HAS BEEN REDUCED. *LA

  5. Electrical system, Apr 1, 2004

    SPARKPLUGS BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD AT 65 MPH ON SVT LIGHTNING. SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED FORD IS AWARE OF THIS HAPPENING BUT THEY ARE NOT ISSUING A RECALL. HE STATED THEY PUT OUT A "WHAT TO DO" IF A VEHICLE COMES IN WITH THIS PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY, THAT DOES NOT HELP US CONSUMERS WHO HAVE TO FORK THE BILL.*AK

  6. Electrical system, Sep 26, 2003, crash

    CONSUMER CAN HEAR A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM IGNITION WHEN THE KEY IS NOT IN IGNITION. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FIRST GEAR WHEN IT INADVERTENTLY STARTED AND HIT THE HOUSE. *AK

  7. Electrical system, Sep 15, 2003

    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS AND OTHER ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS TO BLINK. *AK

  8. Electrical system, Aug 26, 2003

    HELLO, I'M WRITING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MY FRIENDS 2002 FORD LIGHTNING WHICH LAUNCHED A SPARK PLUG THROUGH THE HEAD. I'VE HEARD THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO MANY OF THESE TRUCKS, AND I THINK THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. HOW ABOUT A RECALL. *NLM

  9. Power train, Electrical system, Structure, Aug 7, 2003

    PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE PASSENGER DOOR, AND PAINT DEFECT ON DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY PROBLEMS WERE WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER WHICH WAS REPLACED AND THE ALTERNATOR. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AS THERE WAS A PAINT DEFECT ON THE DOOR HANDLE WHICH DIDN'T FULLY SHUT AT TIMES. THE CONSUMER WAS WILLING TO GIVE BACK THE VEHICLE IN RETURN OF ALL THE MONIES (PAYMENT(S)/DOWN PAYMENT). *SCC *JB

  10. Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Feb 11, 2003

    SPARK PLUG SELF LAUNCHING FROM FORD F150 5.4 L ENGINE

  11. Electrical system, Nov 5, 2002

    THE REAR DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN UNLESS THE LOCK IS MANUALLY UNLOCKED. THE FRONT DOORS WILL UNLOCK AND OPEN BY USING THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. THE REAR DOORS WILL NOT DO THIS. YOU MUST FIRST UNLOCK THE REAR DOOR MANUALLY (FOR WITH THE POWER LOCKS), THEN OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. I FEEL THAT THIS CONDITION IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF THERE IS AN INSTANCE WHERE SOMEONE IS RIDING IN THE REAR SEAT AND THE PERSON MUST EXIT THE VEHICLE IN A HURRY, THEY MAY BECOME DISORIENTED AND FORGET TO FIRST UNLOCK THE REAR DOOR MANUALLY. THEY WILL GET PANICKY THEN UNTIL THEY REALIZE, IF THEY DO, WHAT IS HAPPENING. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE IN THE CASE OF OLDER CHILDREN WHO ARE OLD ENOUGH TO OPERATE A CAR DOOR BY THEMSELVES.**** DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****769311. *AK *JB

  12. Electrical system, Oct 2, 2002

    WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE NOTICED A PROBLEM IN THE INSTRUMENTAL CLUSTER DASH BOARD, DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. (SEE ODI#0814163). NLM