2002 Ford ECONOLINE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 ↗
Owner report 10057350 · 2004-02-09 (February 9, 2004)
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER REGARDING DEFECT RELATED TO THE 2001-2003 ECONOLINE 5.4L CUTAWAY CHASSIS CAB. RECALL REPAIR COULD NOT BE PEFORMED DUE TO THE WAY THE BUMPER WAS MOUNTED ON VEHICLE.* LA *MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057350 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090779 · 2004-09-10 (September 10, 2004)
CAMBER BUSHINGS WERE TOTALLY WORN OUT AFTER ONLY 27,000 MILES. FRONT DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES WERE WORN EXCESSIVELY ON THE INSIDE. REPLACE THE CAMBER BUSHINGS. THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090779 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 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 10121139 · 2005-05-17 (May 17, 2005)
FORD E-450 FRONT SHOCK TOWER CRACK
Owner-reported narrative. 111,502 miles reported. Look up ODI 10121139 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10201924 · 2007-09-05 (September 5, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ECONOLINE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE LOCKED UP POSSIBLY DUE TO AN EXCESS OF OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE MECHANIC'S SHOP TO THE DEALER AND THEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER PROVIDED A REPAIR QUOTE, BUT NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 05S28 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, HOWEVER, IT WAS UNABLE TO BE LOCATED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILE…
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10201924 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10206033 · 2007-10-17 (October 17, 2007)
I CALLED ABOUT A RECALL ON MY FORD E-150 ECONOLINE VAN IN AUGUST AND WAS TOLD THE PART WAS NOT IN. I CALLED AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS STILL NOT IN AND I WOULD BE PUT ON A WAITING LIST BUT I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN CALLED. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FIX A RECALL? *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10206033 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.
03V282000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage
Reported: 2003-08-05 (August 5, 2003)
ON CERTAIN CUTAWAY CHASSIS CAB WITH THE SCHOOL BUS OPTION, TWO BRACKETS AND TWO OUTRIGGER MEMBERS ARE MISSING IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence: THE BRACKETS AND OUTRIGGER MEMBERS ARE INTENDED TO ENHANCE CRASH PERFORMANCE.
Remedy: FORD WILL SEND TECHNICIANS TO THE OWNER'S LOCATION TO INSPECT AND ADD THE BRACKETS AND OUTRIGGERS AS REQUIRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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 ↗