VehicleVerdict

2002 Ford E-150 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 37 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.2 times the median E-150 year — the 2002 model ranks #11 of 43 E-150 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 10 reports (27% of the total).

37

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other E-150 years?

E-150 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted180 complaints1976: 3 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 3 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 3 complaints1985: 3 complaints1986: 12 complaints1987: 20 complaints1988: 15 complaints1989: 37 complaints1990: 17 complaints1991: 20 complaints1992: 86 complaints1993: 95 complaints1994: 180 complaints1995: 104 complaints1996: 81 complaints1997: 122 complaints1998: 81 complaints1999: 115 complaints2000: 61 complaints2001: 52 complaints2002: 37 complaints2003: 31 complaints2004: 36 complaints2005: 24 complaints2006: 23 complaints2007: 15 complaints2008: 12 complaints2009: 10 complaints2010: 14 complaints2011: 30 complaints2012: 19 complaints2013: 29 complaints2014: 9 complaints2015: 10 complaints2016: 11 complaints2017: 0 complaints2021: 1 complaints2023: 0 complaints
E-150 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all E-150 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Ford E-150 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1027%
Tires & Wheels411%
Engine38%
Fuel System38%
Speed Control38%
Steering38%
Transmission38%
Electrical System38%
Suspension25%
Body & Structure13%
Other13%
Airbags13%

Does the 2002 Ford E-150 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V399000Speed ControlOctober 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

08V051000Speed ControlFebruary 4, 2008 · 225,000 units

Defect

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.

07V336000Speed ControlAugust 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The contact owns a 2002 Ford E-150. The contact stated while driving at approximately 75 MPH, he smelled a burning odor in the passenger cabin. The contact stated that he turned the A/C on to help clear the cabin. The contact stated that he noticed smoke was being emitted from the driver's side…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 29, 2024 · fire

“The contact owns a 2002 Ford E-150. The contact stated while driving at approximately 75 MPH, he smelled a burning odor in the passenger cabin. The contact stated that he turned the A/C on to help clear the cabin. The contact stated that he noticed smoke was being emitted from the driver's side…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 29, 2024 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD E-150 VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE ONLY TWO BOLTS THAT WERE HOLDING THE DRIVE SHAFT TOGETHER AND NOT THE CUSTOMARY FOUR. THE CONTACT PURCHASED TWO BOLTS TO INSTALL INTO THE DRIVE SHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 24, 2009

“2002 FORD E-150 W/4.6- SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF HEAD RIPPING APART THE PLUG BOOT AND SPLITTING THE COIL(OVER) IN PIECES. SPARK PLUG WILL NOT RETREAD INTO HEAD. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 4, 2010

“THIS WAS A CAR FIRE FORD F-150 IN FRONT A RESIDENCE THEY HAD LAST DRIVEN THE VEHICLE 5 HOURS PRIOR AND I SAW FOR THE WINDOW BY MY RESIDENCE THE SMOKING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND I ATTEMPT TO EXTINGUISH WITH A GARDEN HOSE AND I RECEIVED HELP FROM OFF DUTY FF HE FINISHED EXTINGUISHED BUT THE VEHICLE HAS A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 2, 2009 · fire

2002 Ford E-150 — common questions

Is the 2002 Ford E-150 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 37 complaints put the 2002 model at #11 of 43 E-150 years. It is one of the E-150 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 E-150 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (10 complaints), tires & wheels (4 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints).

Does the 2002 Ford E-150 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Ford E-150. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Ford E-150 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford E-150 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-150 years to avoid are 1994, 1997, 1999, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1998, 1996, 2000, 2001, 1989, 2002, 2004, 2003, 2011. The cleanest record among E-150 years belongs to 2023.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.