2002 Ford F-250: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
156 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
89,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 97 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 156 complaints (7.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 27 | 17.3% |
| Steering behavior | 19 | 12.2% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 6.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 5.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 3.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 3.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 12 |
| Tires | 9 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
Engine: 12; Tires: 9; Tires:Tread/Belt: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling: 8; Unknown Or Other: 8; Electrical System: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 7; Vehicle Speed Control: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 18 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 20 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 25 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 18; 75,000 to 99,999: 20; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 25
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (25). 59 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 | 29 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 18 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2001: 3; 2002: 29; 2003: 11; 2004: 18; 2005: 10; 2006: 9; 2007: 5; 2008: 7; 2009: 2; 2010: 4; 2011: 8; 2012: 3; 2013: 3; 2014: 7; 2015: 6; 2016: 9; 2017: 8; 2019: 4; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 1; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 10 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 10001061 · 2002-12-17 (December 17, 2002)
THE VEHICLE STALLED ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, NUMEROUS PARTS WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL, ALSO A FAULTY BRAKE RELAY SWITCH WAS REPLACED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 7,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001061 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002517 · 2003-01-10 (January 10, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO LEFT OR RIGHT.*JB. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002517 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004014 · 2003-01-16 (January 16, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THE CLAMPS ARE TO LOSE AND CAUSES ANTI FREEZE TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004014 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017235 · 2003-04-21 (April 21, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM THE MOTOR CONTINUED TO REV UNTIL THE CONSUMER SHUT THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF. (LARRY D. IS THE SECOND CONSUMER IN RE TO COMPLAINT) *SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017235 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017630 · 2003-04-28 (April 28, 2003)
AFTER THE CONSUMER TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT EXPLODED. *TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017630 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017926 · 2003-04-30 (April 30, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017926 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040783 · 2003-09-26 (September 26, 2003)
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MADE A LOUD HOLLOW SOUND WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THERE WAS VIBRATION AND TREMBLING THROUGHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040783 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042379 · 2003-10-06 (October 6, 2003)
WHILE TOWING A 24' TRAILER SPARE TIRE THAT WAS SUSPENDED UNDER VEHICLE BROKE FREE. THE SPARE TIRE WAS THEN RUN OVER BY THE TRAILER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES INVOLVED IN THIS INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042379 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 ↗11V352000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
Reported: 2011-07-13 (July 13, 2011)
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA campaign record ↗