VehicleVerdict

2002 Ford E-350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 61 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.1 times the median E-350 year — the 2002 model ranks #9 of 53 E-350 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 21 reports (34% of the total).

61

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other E-350 years?

See all E-350 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Ford E-350 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2134%
Tires & Wheels813%
Electrical System610%
Fuel System610%
Brakes58%
Seat Belts35%
Suspension35%
Other23%
Body & Structure23%
Steering23%
Speed Control23%
Lighting12%

Does the 2002 Ford E-350 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 2002 FORD E-350 HAS BEEN FOUND TO HAVE A SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT. THIS HAPENED WITHOUT NOTICE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED A TUNE-UP. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT FORD TRUCK ENGINES EJECTING SPARK PLUGS. I'M CONCERNED THAT IF ALL THE PLUGS ARE REPLACED, THAT THE PROBLEM…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 21, 2009

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED CAUSING THE VAN TO ROLL OVER. THE TEN PASSENGERS THAT WERE IN THE VAN AT THE TIME WERE TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR MINOR INJURIES. *NM

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 31, 2003 · crash

DELAMINATING FUEL TANKS ON FORD E-350 AMBULANCES. CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE FUEL PUMP THEN STALLING WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE TOWED. THIS SITUATION IS WITH PATIENTS ON BOARD. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED OUT AND RECALLS DONE. THE COST TO REPAIR IS $1,370.46 PER TRUCK. WE OWN 8 OF THEM ALL WITH THE SAME…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 21, 2008

2002 FORD E350 AMBULANCE VAN. PERSON PLACED THE KEY IN IGNITION. SWITCHED TO ON POSITION (NOT TURN THE ENGINE ON). WHITE SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AREA. SMOKE GOT THICKER THEN GREY. FLAMES STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AREA. UNABLE TO SAVE THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 14, 2009 · fire

2002 FORD E 350 MOTORHOME BRAKES FAILED WHILE TRYING TO AVOID A COLLISION.[REDACTED]NO ANSWER REQUIRED[REDACTED]. *MR WHILE BRAKING THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKING HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAUSED THE TOTAL FAILURE OF BOTH BRAKING CIRCUITS. *NM

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 10, 2005

2002 Ford E-350 — common questions

Is the 2002 Ford E-350 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 61 complaints put the 2002 model at #9 of 53 E-350 years. It is one of the E-350 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 E-350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (21 complaints), tires & wheels (8 complaints), fuel system (6 complaints).

Does the 2002 Ford E-350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Ford E-350. 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-350 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford E-350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-350 years to avoid are 1997, 1995, 2005, 1999, 2006, 1998, 2004, 2000, 2002, 1994, 1996, 2003, 2001, 2008, 1993, 1992, 1989, 2013, 2021. The cleanest record among E-350 years belongs to 2027.

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.