2002 Ford ECONOLINE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
97,259 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 23 complaints (21.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 8.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 8.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Engine: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 9 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 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2005: 3; 2007: 5; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 3; 2012: 3; 2014: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 10119433 · 2005-05-31 (May 31, 2005)
CONTACT STATES: IN WINTER WITH SNOW ON GROUND THERE IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES WILL NOT STOP THE VEHICLE ON DOWN GRADE WHEN THERE IS SLUSH OR SNOW ON THE ROAD. THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED 6 TIMES WHEN ROADS WERE SNOW COVERED. *AK THE SPARE TIRE CABLE HAD A BROKEN WIRE. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10119433 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10298950 · 2010-01-11 (January 11, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ECONOLINE(NA). WHILE DRIVING AND ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE WARNING LIGHT CAME. THERE WAS ALSO NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND WAITED FOR AN HOUR TO RESTART IT; HOWEVER, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE SMOKE AND FIRE WERE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. HE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND DISCONNECTED THE ABS MODULE UNIT UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER WHO DID NOT RECONNE…
Owner-reported narrative. 54,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10298950 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10459094 · 2012-05-21 (May 21, 2012)
FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS ON 101 SOUTH ON THE WALDO GRADE APPROACHING THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE. VEHICLE LOST POWER HALF WAY UP THE GRADE AND SLOWED TO 10 MPH. LIMPED VEHICLE TO OFF RAMP. I AM AN ASE CERTIFIED MASTER MECHANIC, I ALSO HOLD MY CALIFORNIA SMOG LICENSE. I'VE WORKED AS A MECHANIC FOR 30 YEARS. UPON GETTING THE VEHICLE HOME I DIAGNOSED THE CONCERN I FOUND THE FUEL TANK FULL OF METAL THAT HAD FLAKED FROMT HE WALLS OF THE FUEL TANK. I FOUND THE FUEL PICKUP IN THE TANK PLUGGED WITH FILINGS, THE FUEL PUMP RUIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 96,517 miles reported. Look up ODI 10459094 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10480958 · 2012-10-18 (October 18, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ECONOLINE E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR END OF THE FUEL TANK HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS HAD BECOME COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN CAUTIOUSLY AND WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND INSTALLED A TEMPORARY STRAP FOR THE FUEL TANK. …
Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10480958 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111660 · 2005-02-16 (February 16, 2005)
WHILE TRAVELING NORMAL SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10111660 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026311 · 2003-07-01 (July 1, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT STEERING WHEEL IS VERY SLIPPERY AND FEELS UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING AS IF WILL LOSE GRIP ON WHEEL AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE. WHEEL DOES NOT HAVE ANY FINGER "GROOVES" ON THE REAR.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026311 at NHTSA ↗