2002 Ford F-350: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
116 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 68 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 116 complaints (11.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 23 | 19.8% |
| Braking behavior | 22 | 19.0% |
| Engine operation | 13 | 11.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 4.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Tires | 13 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
Tires: 13; Electrical System: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Steering: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Structure:Body: 5; Tires:Tread/Belt: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 16 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 16
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 48 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 | 24 |
| 2003 | 13 |
| 2004 | 15 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2001: 3; 2002: 24; 2003: 13; 2004: 15; 2005: 8; 2006: 4; 2007: 2; 2009: 3; 2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 7; 2013: 4; 2014: 7; 2015: 5; 2016: 3; 2017: 4; 2019: 4; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 13 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 10001175 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE THE HYDRO BOOT DOESN'T WORK. CAUSING PROBLEM IN STEERING. WHEN TRYING TO BACK UNDER THE OVERHEAD CAMPER IT WAS HARD TO RUN INTO THE JACKS THAT HOLD UP THE CAMPER. *TS *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001175 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008928 · 2003-02-20 (February 20, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO ABRUPTLY PULL OVER.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008928 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009348 · 2002-05-30 (May 30, 2002)
OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW WITH RIGHT SIDE MIRROR, MAJOR BLIND SPOT. ALMOST IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT THE FIRST DAY I RECEIVED THE TRUCK. *TS *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS*762450
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009348 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015416 · 2003-04-08 (April 8, 2003)
WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT DOWN AN INCLINE, THE FRONT END VIBRATED. WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015416 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017262 · 2003-04-21 (April 21, 2003)
WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR FOR FULL THROTTLE THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE DIES. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017262 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019781 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NLM *TT *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022109 · 2003-06-03 (June 3, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AND WITH NO WARNING THE GAS TANK FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022109 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024784 · 2003-06-24 (June 24, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT TIRES ARE LOSING TREAD. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024784 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 ↗