2002 Ford E-450: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
38,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 13 complaints (23.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 23.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 7.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 7.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Engine: 2; Tires: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 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 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 3 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 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 3; 2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2019: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10019011 · 2003-05-20 (May 20, 2003)
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION FROM SIDEWALL ON FIRESTONE STEELTEX R4S II. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 8,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019359 · 2003-06-27 (June 27, 2003)
THE INNER RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A SIDEWALL BLOW OUT. *NLM THE CONSUMER OBSERVED THE RIGHT INSIDE DUAL TIRE SPLIT NEAR THE TREAD LINE ON THE SIDEWALL. (TIRE MODEL-R4 SII) *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 4,403 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048632 · 2003-11-25 (November 25, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE INSIDE RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPLODED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. *NLM THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT NO COST. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 8,058 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148692 · 2006-01-23 (January 23, 2006)
TIRE TREAD FAILED ON CONSUMER'S 2002 FORD E450 . *TS *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10148692 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10242340 · 2008-09-15 (September 15, 2008)
IN EARLY JULY MY VEHICLE SUFFERED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS A VEHICLE COVERED UNDER THE EXISTING FORD RECALL FOR THE SPEED CONTROL WIRING. THE DEALER , WHO HAD REPAIRED THE VEHICLE JUST 45 DAYS EARLIER, STATED THAT THIS FIRE WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF WIRING FIRE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE RECALL IN PLACE MAY NOT FULLY ADDRESS THE RISK OF FIRE, AND THAT THERE MAY BE MORE OF A SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING THE WIRING HARNESS THAN HAS BEEN DISCLOSED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 85,323 miles reported. Look up ODI 10242340 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10275088 · 2009-06-27 (June 27, 2009)
WHILE DRIVING THE AMBULANCE THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE TAKING IT TO THE SHOP. WHEN THE AMBULANCE IS AT IDLE IT JUST SHUTS OFF, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE RPM'S ARE AT IDLE THE ENGINE WILL JUST SHUT OFF. NO CRASH OR INJURIES HOWEVER IT WAS VERY CLOSE AS THE ENGINE SHUT OFF IT WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE AND LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 121,001 miles reported. Look up ODI 10275088 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10339434 · 2010-06-22 (June 22, 2010)
COOPER SRM II LT 225/75/R 16 TREAD SEPARATION OF REAR TIRE ON RV APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES OF HOME WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. TWO MONTHS EARLIER HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCE WITH ANOTHER REAR TIRE. TIRES WERE PURCHASED AS A SET OF SIX ON 04/08 WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES WHEN FAILURES OCCURRED. TIRES ARE BEING REPLACED WITH A COMPLETE SET FROM A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10339434 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454816 · 2012-04-11 (April 11, 2012)
SPARK PLUG EJECTED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE CAUSING EMERGENCY BREAKDOWN RESULTING IN 550.00 BILL FOR SPARK PLUG SLEEVE REPAIR THEN 50 MILES FROM THIS INCIDENT THE FAN BELT SHREDDED RESULTING IN ENGINE OVERHEATING AND ANOTHER EMERGENCY REPAIR OF 520.00 FOR NEW BELT AND ALTERNATOR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 34,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454816 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
06V286000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 2006-08-01 (August 1, 2006)
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
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 ↗