2002 Ford E-350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
53 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 41 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 53 complaints (15.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 5 | 9.4% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 9.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 7.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 3.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Tires:Tread/Belt: 5; Electrical System: 4; Engine: 4; Fuel System, Diesel: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2002: 4; 2003: 5; 2004: 2; 2005: 5; 2006: 4; 2007: 6; 2008: 4; 2009: 7; 2010: 4; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10034502 · 2003-08-25 (August 25, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 35/45 MPH VEHICLE HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, WITHOUT WARNING. DEALERSHIP HAD BEEN NOTIFIED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10034502 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10188440 · 2007-04-20 (April 20, 2007)
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 COMES AND DOESN'T SHUT DOWN THE TRUCK, (USUALLY BECAUSE THE RPM'S ARE BEING REVVED UP.) AND IS RESTARTED, THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL NO LONGER BE ON. THE ENGINE WILL RESTART, OR NOT RESTART, BUT EVENTUALLY IT WILL RESTART. THEN FAILURE …
Owner-reported narrative. 96,446 miles reported. Look up ODI 10188440 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020441 · 2003-05-22 (May 22, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES BECAME HOT, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NORMAL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020441 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020443 · 2003-07-03 (July 3, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES BECAME HOT, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKING. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NORMAL AND REFUSED TO GIVE SERVICE. THE CONSUMER HAD A WARRANTY, BUT WAS TURNED DOWN BY AT LEAST TWO OTHER FORD DEALERS. ROFFENBAUGH FORD & BROUDUS FORD MAUEE. *JB *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 78 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020443 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10235746 · 2008-07-25 (July 25, 2008)
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. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 84,940 miles reported. Look up ODI 10235746 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10268717 · 2009-05-14 (May 14, 2009)
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. THE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK HAS BEEN DELAMINATING AND CAUSING THE FUEL FILTER TO BECOME CLOGGED. THE VAN WILL LOSE POWER AND CHUG ALONG SPEWING OUT BLACK SMOKE. IT HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM BY FORD YET THEY CLAIM IT IS NOT THEI…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10268717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10265869 · 2009-04-17 (April 17, 2009)
2002 FORD E350 AMBULANCE VAN. PERSON PLACED THE KEY IN IGNITION. SWITCHED TO ON POSITION (NOT TURN THE ENGINE ON). WHITE SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AREA. SMOKE GOT THICKER THEN GREY. FLAMES STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AREA. UNABLE TO SAVE THE VEHICLE. COMPLETELY BURNED IN HOSPITAL PARKING LOT. NO INJURIES. HTTP://WWW.OCREGISTER.COM/ARTICLES/REPORTED-FIRE-VALLEY-2363353-CALL-FOUNTAIN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10265869 at NHTSA ↗