2002 Ford E-150: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
86,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 28 complaints (10.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 21.4% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 10.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Steering: 3; Electrical System:Horn: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Tires: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 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 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 4
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
2003: 4; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 5; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2020: 1; 2024: 2
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10014438 · 2003-04-16 (April 16, 2003)
AS THE RESULT OF A HEAD-ON COLLISION, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE COLLISION WAS SLIGHTLY OFF-CENTER TO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30-35 M.P.H., OTHER VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT LEAST THE SAME SPEED IF NOT MORE. SEAT BELT DID LOCK-UP CAUSING A POSSIBLE TEAR OF THE THE SUBJECT VEHICLE DRIVER'S SPINAL CORD AT THE FOURTH CERVICAL VERTEBRAE (NECK) LEVEL. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014438 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025225 · 2003-07-01 (July 1, 2003)
2002 FORD ECONOLINE W/5.4 V8. FROM BRAND NEW UNTIL NOW THE ENGINE SURGES OFF IDLE. IN PARKING LOTS THIS HAS BEEN QUITE A PROBLEM AS THE VAN JUMPS 3 TO 4 FEET AS I TRY TO SLOWLY BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE. HAVE SCACRED MYSELF AND A FEW PEDESTRIANS. THIS IS NOT A SAFE SITUATION AND I HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANY ANSWERS FORM FORD.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025225 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025769 · 2003-07-09 (July 9, 2003)
BRAKES FAILURE,BURNED OUT CAUSED BY LACK OF LUBRICATION AT CRITICAL CONTACT POINTS OF METAL PARTS. WAS NOT LUBED AT FACTORY CAUSED BRAKE PADS TO STICK AGAINST ROTORS AND HIGH TEMPATURES, PREMATURE FAILURE. REQUIRED EXTRA BRAKE PETAL FORCE TO STOP VEHICLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 16,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043349 · 2003-10-22 (October 22, 2003)
WHEN ON A SMALL HILL AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE (WHEN THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN) IT ROLLS BACKWARDS. ENG 4.6L-V8. CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALER TOLD ME THIS IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION. THIS IS THE SAME TRANSMISSION AS SOME EXPEDITIONS AND THEY WILL DO THE SAME THING. IT ALMOST ROLLED BACK AND HIT A CAR. CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP AT DEARBORN WANTS ME TO TEST DRIVE ANOTHER E-150 TO SEE IF IT DOES THE SAME THING FROM THE DEALER. CURRENTLY, I'M WAITING FOR THE DEALER TO GET BACK TO ME ON THIS…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043349 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054281 · 2004-01-16 (January 16, 2004)
2002 E-150 CONVERSION VAN AT 27770 MILES THE BRAKES AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH OUT WARNING HAVE TO PRESS HARD ON BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP. IT IS LIKE THE CALIPER DOES NOT DIS-ENGAUGE. I TOLD THE DEALER SHIP THIS AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS NOT UN-COMMON PROBLEM THEY HAVE SEEN IT HAPPEN UNDER 20,000 MILES. IT COST A LOT OF MONEY TO HAVE FIXED IT SEEMS THAT THERE MAY BE A DESIGN DEFECT OR NOT THE RIGHT TYPE OF PART INSTALLED BECAUSE IT TAKES SO LONG FOR THE VAN TO COME TO A STOP WITH SPEEDS UNDER 25 MPH. *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10054281 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098459 · 2004-11-08 (November 8, 2004)
ON 11/04/04, RECALL WORK FOR ABS SENSOR WAS PERFORMED. AT THE SAME TIME, FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED BY DEALER - THEIR SUGGESTION ("10% LEFT"). ON 11/05, AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, DRY-CLEAR DAY, I NEEDED TO STOP AGGRESSIVELY DUE TO UNKNOWN TRAFFIC SITUATION AHEAD. SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, NO ABS ACTIVATED. SWERVED ONTO GRASS SHOULDER TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT WITH OTHER VEHICLESTO COMPLETE STOP. 11/8-BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER CLAIMS THE OB COMPUTER SHOWS NO INCIDENT, AND COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM. "LARRY" DEALER S…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10102445 · 2004-12-09 (December 9, 2004)
DURING VERY WET WEATHER, THE HORN DOES NOT WORK OR WORKS VERY FAINTLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VAN IS A 2002. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE PERFORMD BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP. I MADE A COMPLAINT TO THEM ON 2 OCCASIONS AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY INCIDENTS OTHER THAN HITTING MY HORN AND HAVING LITTLE NOISE COME OUT. I AM AFRAID THAT WHEN I NEED THE HORN IT WILL NOT WORK IN WET WEATHER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10102445 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103836 · 2004-12-15 (December 15, 2004)
IN RAINY/SNOWY WEATHER HORN FAILS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THEREFORE, CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10103836 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
07V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 2007-08-03 (August 3, 2007)
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
NHTSA campaign record ↗08V051000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
Reported: 2008-02-04 (February 4, 2008)
FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA campaign record ↗09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 2009-10-13 (October 13, 2009)
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
NHTSA campaign record ↗