VehicleVerdict

2002 Ford F-250 Sd problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 282 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.1 times the median F-250 Sd year — the 2002 model ranks #6 of 36 F-250 Sd years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 13 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 108 reports (38% of the total).

282

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

4

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

21

Fires reported

13

Injuries

2

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other F-250 Sd years?

See all F-250 Sd years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Ford F-250 Sd problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine10838%
Brakes3211%
Electrical System2910%
Tires & Wheels2710%
Speed Control145%
Transmission145%
Steering124%
Fuel System104%
Suspension83%
Seat Belts52%
Other52%
Lighting52%
Latches & Locks52%
Airbags31%
Body & Structure31%
Driver Assistance10%
Visibility & Wipers10%

Does the 2002 Ford F-250 Sd have recalls?

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

11V352000LightingJuly 13, 2011 · 26,715 units

Defect

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.

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.

07E106000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2007 · 130,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

07V553000EngineDecember 5, 2007 · 1,176,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

FORD F250 V-10 SPIT SPARK PLUG, CAUSED SMALL FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. BROKE THE COP. IF A SPARK PLUG BLOWS OUT AND COULD INJURE A PERSON WORKING ON THE VEHICLE, WHY IS THAT DIFFERENT FROM THIS THAT IS CLASSIFIED AS A SAFETY RECALL? (ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADES THAT BREAK UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING INJURY TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 15, 2009 · fire

2002 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE, RESULTED IN ACCIDENT. FAILURE CAUSED BY FAULTY BOOSTER PUMP AND MASTER CYLINDER ISSUES. FORD DENIES ANY ISSUES WITH SAID COMPONENTS, A QUICK SEARCH ON THE NET RESULTS IN HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR OCCURRENCES. $1400 IN PARTS TO REPAIR. INSURANCE WOULD NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 12, 2008 · crash

MY 2002 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE BRAKE SWITCH RECALL PROBLEM. THE BRAKE SWITCH (UNDER THE HOOD) BURNED AND THE FUSE BLOCK (UNDER THE DASH) MELTED. THE CAB FILLED WITH SMOKE WHILE MY SPOUSE WAS DRIVING. THE SWITCH, FUSE BLOCK, AND CABLE END WERE REPLACED DUE TO THIS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 13, 2007 · fire

FORD F-250 PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTON STEELTEX RADIAL LT265/75R16 LR E TIRES, TOWING 30FT TRAVEL TRAILER AT 60MPH, HEARD LOUD NOISE AND THUMPING SOUND FROM RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE. WHILE DECREASING SPEED TO PULL OVER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE ALSO FAILED CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 9, 2004 · crash

I HAVE A 2002 F250 SUPER DUTY. WHEN I COME TO A FULL STOP, AND THEN TAKE OFF THERE IS A FEELING THAT SOMETHING IS SLACK IN THE DRIVE TRAIN SOMEWHERE. YOU CAN FEEL A DOUBLE BUMP KINDA OF FEELING. WHEN TOWING A TRAILER IT IS WORSE. THE FORD DEALER SAID SOME TRUCKS DO THIS AND SOME DO NOT, BUT THEY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 4, 2003

2002 Ford F-250 Sd — common questions

Is the 2002 Ford F-250 Sd reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 282 complaints put the 2002 model at #6 of 36 F-250 Sd years. It is one of the F-250 Sd years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 F-250 Sd problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (108 complaints), brakes (32 complaints), electrical system (29 complaints).

Does the 2002 Ford F-250 Sd have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Ford F-250 Sd. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Ford F-250 Sd under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford F-250 Sd years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-250 Sd years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2004, 2001, 1999, 2002, 2000, 2003, 2011, 2008, 2017, 2012, 2007, 2023, 2015, 2018, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021. The cleanest record among F-250 Sd years belongs to 1998.

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.