VehicleVerdict

2002 Ford E-250 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 18 complaints on file for the 2002 Ford E-250 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

18

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other E-250 years?

See all E-250 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Ford E-250 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels528%
Brakes422%
Electrical System211%
Engine211%
Fuel System211%
Transmission16%
Speed Control16%
Airbags16%

Does the 2002 Ford E-250 have recalls?

5 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.

04V589000OtherDecember 15, 2004 · 501 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VANS BUILT ON FORD E250/E350 CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR ACCUBUILT AT 419-222-1501.

04V232000OtherMay 13, 2004 · 28,456 units

Defect

CERTAIN VANS AND WAGONS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION." FOR CERTAIN 2003 E250 VANS BUILT WITH LT225/75R16E TIRES, THE REAR AXLE RATING IS INCORRECTLY LISTED ON THE LABEL. IN ADDITION, THE TIRE PRESSURE IS INCORRECTLY LISTED ON THE LABEL FOR THE REAR TIRES ON CERTAIN 2002 E350 WAGONS AND FOR THE FRONT TIRES ON CERTAIN 2002 E250 VANS BUILT WITH THESE TIRES.

Consequence

FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION RECOMMENDATION CAN RESULT IN TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH SUPPLEMENTARY TIRE LABELS CONTAINING CORRECT INFORMATION AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

MY SON WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN THE BACK WHEELS LOCKED-UP AND STARTED TO SKID. HE CALLED THE POLICE AND THE OFFICER SAID HE COULD SEE WHERE IT LOOK LIKE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED AND THERE WERE THREE OTHER WITNESSES TO WHAT HAD HAPPENED. MY HUSBAND FEELS THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 18, 2005 · crash

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES AND THEN RAN INTO A TAXI CAB HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH NO PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN THE ENGINE AND FRONT END DAMAGE. *SCC *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 15, 2003 · crash

TOTAL CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE AT 51,000 MILES. SAT AT DEALERSHIP FROM JAN 3,2006 TO APRIL 7, 2005 WAITING FOR DEALER ONLY PART. NO CAUSE FOUND. TRUCK WAS IN EXCELLENT RUNNING CONDITION. *NM

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 3, 2005

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED FOR OVER 24 HOURS. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THE FIRE WAS DUE TO A SHORT IN THE WIRING. *JB IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE B POST WHERE THE WIRING RUNS THROUGH THE POST TO THE RIGHT SIDE REAR POWER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 7, 2003 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE FUEL TANK STRAP DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO NEARLY TOUCH THE GROUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 3, 2015

2002 Ford E-250 — common questions

Is the 2002 Ford E-250 reliable?

The record is thin — 18 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2002 E-250 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (5 complaints), brakes (4 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints).

Does the 2002 Ford E-250 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Ford E-250. 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-250 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford E-250 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-250 years to avoid are 1999, 1997, 1998, 1992. The cleanest record among E-250 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.