2002 Ford F SERIES (LIGHT): complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
120,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 13 complaints (30.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.7% |
| Braking 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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 4 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Engine: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 4; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 6
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 0 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 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 5; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 10005364 · 2003-02-05 (February 5, 2003)
REAR WHEELS HAVE ENOUGH PLAY IN THEM THAT THERE IS A NOTICEABLE CLUNK WHEN TURNING. TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND THE END PLAY OF THE AXLES ARE .020. FORD MANUFACTURER SAID UP TO .030 IS TOLERABLE AND I WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE CLUNKING SOUND. I DID NOT PAY $30,000 FOR A TRUCK TO LISTEN TO A CLUNKING SOUND!
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005364 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10122026 · 2005-05-24 (May 24, 2005)
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY.. HEAR A LARGE NOISE FROMN THE ENGINE BAY. TRUCK BREAKS DOWN AND I HAVE IT TOWED. 2002 FORD F-150 LIGTHNING. 3RD TIME ITS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.. BLOWING A SPARK PLUG IN THE ENGINE BAY.. THIS TIME... WORSE THEN EVER... READ IT WAS A VERY BAD PROBLEM WITH OTHER TRUCK MADE THIS YEAR ETC.. ONLINE SO I'AM PUTTING A COMPLAINT IN..
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10122026 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10355710 · 2010-09-15 (September 15, 2010)
GAS TANK LEAK AT STRAP HOLDING TANK IN PLACE. 2002 FORD F-150 4X4 4.6 LITER. AT THIS TIME I CAN NOT FILL THE VEHICLES TANK TO FULL. THE PROBLEM WILL ONLY GET WORSE WITH TIME. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE IS ONLY FILLED TO 1/2 FULL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10355710 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10436256 · 2011-11-17 (November 17, 2011)
SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF PLUG HOLE, STRIPPING THREADS OF INTAKE CYLINDER HEAD. PLUG WAS FOUND LAYING BETWEEN VALVE COVER AND INTAKE MANIFOLD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 107,590 miles reported. Look up ODI 10436256 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10458426 · 2012-05-14 (May 14, 2012)
TRUCK STARTED MAKING NOISE EVERY TIME THERE WAS A BUMP. HANDLING FELT LOOSE. DISCOVERED THAT THE RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY AWAY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE MECHANIC REFERRED TO THE CONDITION AS "ROT". THIS SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR, A/C AND PROVIDES AN ATTACHMENT FOR THE FRONT FENDERS. I BOUGHT 4 VEHICLES THE SAME YEAR. CHECKED THE OTHER 3 AND THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I WILL BE FILING REPORTS ON THEM TOO. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458426 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10458434 · 2012-05-14 (May 14, 2012)
CHECKED THE CONDITION OF THIS TRUCKS RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT AFTER ANOTHER TRUCK BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAD ONE THAT ROTTED AWAY AND FAILED. THIS PART SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR, A/C AND PROVIDES AN ATTACHMENT FOR THE FRONT FENDERS. THIS VEHICLE'S RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH IN SPOTS AND LARGE FLAKES OF RUST FALL OFF WHEN IT IS DISTURBED. IT WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED AND 3 OTHERS BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 210,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458434 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10458436 · 2012-05-14 (May 14, 2012)
CHECKED THE CONDITION OF THIS TRUCKS RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT AFTER ANOTHER TRUCK BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAD ONE THAT ROTTED AWAY AND FAILED. THIS PART SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR, A/C AND PROVIDES AN ATTACHMENT FOR THE FRONT FENDERS. THIS VEHICLE'S RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH IN SPOTS AND LARGE FLAKES OF RUST FALL OFF WHEN IT IS DISTURBED. IT WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED AND 3 OTHERS BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 181,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458436 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10458438 · 2012-05-14 (May 14, 2012)
CHECKED THE CONDITION OF THIS TRUCKS RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT AFTER ANOTHER TRUCK BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAD ONE THAT ROTTED AWAY AND FAILED. THIS PART SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR, A/C AND PROVIDES AN ATTACHMENT FOR THE FRONT FENDERS. THIS VEHICLE'S RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH IN SPOTS AND LARGE FLAKES OF RUST FALL OFF WHEN IT IS DISTURBED. IT WILL NEED REPAIRED AND 3 OTHERS BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458438 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.