2002 Ford F-350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
116 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 68 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 116 complaints (11.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 23 | 19.8% |
| Braking behavior | 22 | 19.0% |
| Engine operation | 13 | 11.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 4.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Tires | 13 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
Tires: 13; Electrical System: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Steering: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Structure:Body: 5; Tires:Tread/Belt: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 16 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 16
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 48 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 24 |
| 2003 | 13 |
| 2004 | 15 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2001: 3; 2002: 24; 2003: 13; 2004: 15; 2005: 8; 2006: 4; 2007: 2; 2009: 3; 2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 7; 2013: 4; 2014: 7; 2015: 5; 2016: 3; 2017: 4; 2019: 4; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 13 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 10001175 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE THE HYDRO BOOT DOESN'T WORK. CAUSING PROBLEM IN STEERING. WHEN TRYING TO BACK UNDER THE OVERHEAD CAMPER IT WAS HARD TO RUN INTO THE JACKS THAT HOLD UP THE CAMPER. *TS *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001175 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019781 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NLM *TT *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008928 · 2003-02-20 (February 20, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO ABRUPTLY PULL OVER.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008928 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057218 · 2004-02-26 (February 26, 2004)
CONSUMER INDICATED THAT CRUISE CONTROL SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHEN ENGAGED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THIS WAS CAUSED BY A BRAKE SENSOR FAILURE.*AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057218 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10094648 · 2004-09-29 (September 29, 2004)
CONSUMER PRESSED DOWN ON THE ELECTRICAL BUTTON BUT WINDOW FAILED TO ROLL UP OR DOWN. IT HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW JAMMED AND WILL NOT MOVE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10094648 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10121013 · 2005-05-16 (May 16, 2005)
CONSUMER STATES: 3 TIMES NOW, THE STARTER BURNED UP WHILE SETTING IN THE GARAGE AND THE WIRING BURNT OUT IN THE STARTER. AFTER CONSUMER HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE, WHEN YOU COME BACK OUT, YOU CAN SMELL BURNT WIRING. DEALER CAN NOT PIN POINT THE PROBLEM. THE STARTER IS ENGAGING WHEN THERE ARE NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10121013 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066639 · 2004-04-29 (April 29, 2004)
THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN HE ENGAGED THE CLUTCH, THE CLUTCH WENT TO THE FLOOR, BECAME STUCK AND CONTINUED TO GOING FORWARD. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AS HARD AS POSSIBLE. THE CONSUMER THEN GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED THE CLUTCH WITH HIS HANDS AND THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS A FLUKE. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED DOWN THE HIGHWAY SHIFTING THE GEAR WITH NO PROBLEM UNTIL HE HAD COME TO A STOP, WAITING ON THE LIGHT TO CHANGE, AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS OCCURRED…
Owner-reported narrative. 31,828 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066639 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081705 · 2004-07-12 (July 12, 2004)
LTR FM ANDRIJ ANDREITCHUX(NJ) OWNER OF A FORD F350 TRUCK UNABLE TO CONNECT WITH 33 FOOT RV TRAILER HOOK SYSTEM CAUSES TRUCK TO LOCK-UP DEFECT REPLY TO THE ELIZABETH, NJ DISTRICT OFC. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *NM CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH STALLING OF ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, POWER STEERING, ACCELERATION, AND FUEL SYSTEM ON VEHICLE. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10081705 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022109 · 2003-06-03 (June 3, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AND WITH NO WARNING THE GAS TANK FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022109 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10537514 · 2013-08-27 (August 27, 2013)
PURCHASED THE 2002 F350 SUPER DUTY DUMP TRUCK NEW IN 2003. IT PRESENTLY ONLY HAS 20,200 MILES ON IT. THIS PAST JUNE THE GAS TANK STARTED LEAKING AROUND THE SEAM AREA. THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS ODD DUE TO THE LOW MILES AND SOFT USAGE THE TRUCK HAS HAD. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS TRUCK FOR GAS TANK ISSUES? IF NOT, THERE SHOULD BE.....AS IT A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 20,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10537514 at NHTSA ↗