2002 Ford E SERIES: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
9,793 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 6 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 16.7% |
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 | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 1 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Windshield:Electrical Heating Element | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 1; Suspension: 1; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System: 1; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Windshield:Electrical Heating Element: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
2003: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking 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 10002527 · 2003-01-10 (January 10, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STEER TO THE LEFT.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002527 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008168 · 2003-02-26 (February 26, 2003)
DEFROSTER AND CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED REPEATEDLY. NO DEFROSTER, HEAT, OR AIR CONDITIONING BECAUSE BLOWER FAILED TO OPERATE. DEALER ROUTE 23 AUTOMALL WOULD NOT OR COULD NOT FIX.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008168 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114848 · 2005-03-28 (March 28, 2005)
DRIVING ON PRIMARY ROAD WAY WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP. SOUNDED LIKE AN EXHAUST LEAK. PULL OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD, TURN OFF ENGINE TO CHECK TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS.CHECKED EXHAUST OK. REMOVED ENGINE COWLING, FOUND SPARK PLUG EJECTED ITSELF. SPARK PLUG WAS MISSING," COP" COIL MOUNTING BROKE, BOOT BURNT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALER AFTER BEING TOLD IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. TALK TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP,AN WAS TOLD THIS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE TRITON ENGINES. NO REPAIR HAS BEEN MADE. I STILL …
Owner-reported narrative. 70,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10114848 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150001 · 2006-02-10 (February 10, 2006)
WHILE I DOUBT THIS WILL ATTRACT ENOUGH ATTENTION FOR FORD TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, I TOO, MADE THE MISTAKE OF PURCHASING A 2002 EXPLORER XLT. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MAKES A HORRID WHINING NOISE BETWEEN 50-65 MPH. FROM WHAT LITTLE RESEARCH I'VE DONE SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED I'M FINDING THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY UNFORTUNATE FORD OWNER WITH THE SAME DEFECT. MOST OF WHAT I'M FINDING STATES THAT EVEN WHEN THE PROBLEM IS "FIXED" THAT IT RE-OCCURS. WHY IS FORD NOT ISSUING A RECALL? *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10150001 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10191462 · 2007-05-22 (May 22, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD E-SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLTS ON THE FUSE BOX FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE'S WIRES TO BECOME EXPOSED. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE SIZE AND CORRECT VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 9,793.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,793 miles reported. Look up ODI 10191462 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10248017 · 2008-11-08 (November 8, 2008)
2002 FORD TAURUS HEATER BLOWER. DID NOT WORK TRIED TO FIX WITH DIFFERENT PARTS STILL DIDNT WORK. I CAN'T SEE WHERE I AM GOING WITH THE WINDOWS ALL STEAMED UP. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10248017 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V094000 · Structure
Reported: 2003-03-07 (March 7, 2003)
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
Consequence: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
NHTSA campaign record ↗