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.
Of the 2002 reports, 58 involved a crash and 100 involved a fire. 67 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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: engine
294 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Structure, Jan 25, 2005
ELECTRICAL: AT 306 MILES THE SOLENOIDS HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPON SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF; THE DASH BOARD WOULD STILL ILLUMINATE. ALSO, UPON SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF IT WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN. THIS HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES. THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED WITH NO WARNING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE WINDSHIELD HAD A LEAK WHICH CORRODED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS STARTED AT 44000 MILES. THE GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THE HARNESS WIRING HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO. UPON TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN THE BATTERY WOULD BE COMPLETELY DEAD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 11, 2004
A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY TRUCK'S ENGINE. THIS WAS AT LOW RPM AND THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT. HAVE LEARNED THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. DEALER FIXED BECAUSE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT FREQUENCY INCREASES AS MORE MILES ARE ACCUMULATED. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 11, 2004
SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF HEAD . NEW HEAD NEEDED $2500 REPAIR. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 28, 2004
SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER ON MY TRITON 5.4L FORD F150 LIGHTNING TRUCK. 900 MILES AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. FORD DEALER QUOTED $3,100 TO REPLACE CYLINDER HEAD WITH A 50% GOODWILL DISCOUNT. IN MY SEARCHES ON THE WEB THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. VERY COMMON ON THEIR V10 DIESEL ENGINES FORD DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT A DEFECT EXISTS.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 19, 2004
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 55 MPH AND HEARD A TERRIBLE SOUND COME FROM THE ENGINE. IT SOUNDED LIKE A PISTON DISCONECTED FROM THE CONNECTING ROD. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THEIR DIAGNOSIS IS THAT THE #3 SPARKPLUG LOOSEND UP AND DAMAGED THE PLUG HOLE. THE SAID THAT THE HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE BIIL WOULD RANGE FROM $3500-4500. I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED SO THE VEHICLE SAT AT THE DEALER FOR 5 MONTHS. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER THEY SAID THERE WAS A REPAIR THAT COULD BE DONE BUT IT WASN'T RECOMENDED BY FORD. THE REPAIR WAS TO REMOVE THE HEAD AND SLEAVE THE BLOWN OUT SPARK PLUG HOLE. I HAD THEM REPAIR IT THIS WAY. THE COST TO ME WAS $1796.00 AND THERE WAS NO WARANTY BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A FORD RECOMENDED REPAIR. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM AND COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AT GREAT EXPENSE TO THE CONSUMER. NOT ONLY IS THERE GREAT EXPENSE BUT, IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IT COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 2, 2004
BLOWN SPARK PLUG OUT OF 2002 FORD LIGHTNING. HAD TO REPLACE RIGHT CYNLINDER HEAD . *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 29, 2004
IN COLD WEATHER, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COME FROM THE ENGINE. THIS CAUSED SERIOUS LOSS OF POWER. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM, WHICH WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE FORD, F150 VEHICLES. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 15, 2004
EXCESSIVE EXHAUST SMOKE. POOR PERFORMANCE.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 1, 2004
SPARKPLUG / HEAD BLOW-OUTS. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 10, 2003
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 23, 2003
I HAVE 2 SPARK PLUGS THAT WILL NOT STAY TIGHT. BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THESE MOTOR BLOWING PLUGS OUT I HAVE TO STAY ON TOP OF THEM. I TIGHTEN THEN ABOUT EVERY 3 WEEKS. *LA
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 20, 2003
KNOWN FAILURE TO CYLINDER HEADS. FAILURE INVOLVES THE LAUNCHING OF SPARK PLUGS WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING RESULTING IN SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE. *LA
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 12, 2003
TRUCK EXPERIENCES A "ROUGH IDLE" AT ALL CONDITIONS WHERE ENGINE IS IDLING.
Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Sep 30, 2003
I HAVE A 2002 FORD F150 THAT HAS HEADLIGHTS GOING OFF WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED ONLY FOR IT TO REOCCUR. THIS IS NOT A MINOR PROBLEM TO ME AND THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM IS UNABLE TO MAKE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT FOR A WEEK. I HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE BUT NOT EVERYONE HAS THAT PRIVELEGE AND I HAVE DECIDED TO SERVICE IT AT ANOTHER LOCATION. MAYBE MY VEHICLE IS THE ONLY ONE AND IT IS JUST SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED. BUT I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO VOICE MY CONCERN. LLC
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 11, 2003
CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE TRAVELING A NATURAL GAS SMELL COMING THROUGH AIR VENTS, MAKING CONSUMER SICK. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 17, 2003
I MADE A TRIP TO CALIFORNIA AND RIGHT BEFORE I LEFT I HAD THE OILS CHANGED ON MY TRUCK. MY TRUCK HAD ABOUT 15,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRIP WAS 1,000 MILES ROUND TRIP AND IT USED 2 1/2 QUARTS OF OIL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL TO USE THAT MUCH OIL. AND THEY CHANGED THE OIL TO A DIFFERENT WEIGHT TO DO A TEST ON OIL CONSUMPTION. IT STILL USES OIL AND NOW THE MOTOR SMOKES WHEN YOU FIRST START IT UP. AND IF IT SITS FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS IT WILL KNOW LOUD WHEN YOU START IT. THE FOR D DEALER SAID THIS IS NORMAL. *NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 28, 2003
ENGINE MISFIRES IN COLD WEATHER WHILE DRIVING CAUSING SERIOUS LOSS OF POWER FIRST STARTED AT 341 MILES AND CONTINUES TO DATE.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Feb 11, 2003
SPARK PLUG SELF LAUNCHING FROM FORD F150 5.4 L ENGINE
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 19, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, TO PARK THE VEHICLE SUFFERED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SHIFTED FROM DRIVER INTO REVERSE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER CAR CAUSING DAMAGE TO HIS VEHICLE AND OTHER CAR. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURRTHER INFORMATION. TS