VehicleVerdict

2002 Ford F-250 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2002 Ford F-250 sits mid-pack among F-250 years: 189 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 145, with 7 recalls and 2 closed investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 15 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (36), tires & wheels (24), and brakes (19), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

189

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

2

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

13

Fires reported

15

Injuries

1

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other F-250 years?

See all F-250 years to avoid →

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

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine3619%
Tires & Wheels2413%
Brakes1910%
Transmission168%
Electrical System147%
Speed Control126%
Suspension116%
Steering105%
Other95%
Seat Belts84%
Fuel System84%
Airbags74%
Visibility & Wipers63%
Body & Structure42%
Lighting42%
Seats11%

Does the 2002 Ford F-250 have recalls?

7 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.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

07E066000Electrical SystemAugust 28, 2007 · 175 units

Defect

CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.

Consequence

IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.

Remedy

ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

06V286000Speed ControlAugust 1, 2006 · 1,200,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence

OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)

06E052000LightingJune 12, 2006 · 14,616 units

Defect

CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMPS, P/NOS. FR208-B101R, FR208-B101L, FR208-B001R, AND FR208-B001L, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABRY LEE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER FULL CREDIT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLAMP. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JUNE 14, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABRY LEE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT 1-866-467-2279.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE 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

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD F-250. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS IN COLD TEMPERATURES AND CONNECTED TO THE BLOCK HEATER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 17, 2019 · fire

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH ON A DOWNHILL CURVE, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE VEHICLE HIT A GUARD RAIL ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THEN, WHILE TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD, THE TREAD SEPARATED AND THE TREAD HIT THE SIDE MIRROR AND FENDER. A SPARE TIRE WAS PUT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 23, 2006 · crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F250. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE DETACHED. THE VEHICLE DROVE OFF THE ROAD, CRASHED INTO SOME TREES, AND CAUGHT FIRE. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 27, 2007 · crash · fire

ON TWO OCCASIONS, I HAVE HAD MY TRUCK IN PARK AND THE KEYS REMOVED AND THE TRUCK ROLLED. IT WAS NOT FULLY IN PARK. I WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE BOTH TIMES, ONCE FACING FORWARD AND ONCE BACKED IN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AFTER THE FIRST TIME AND THEY ADJUSTED THE SHIFTER. I NOW HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK IN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 30, 2005

VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN A PARKING LOT WITH IGNITION TURNED OFF AND KEYS OUT OF IGNITION WHEN VEHICLE SOME HOW CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 17, 2002 · fire

2002 Ford F-250 — common questions

Is the 2002 Ford F-250 reliable?

It is close to typical for the F-250: 189 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2002 F-250 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (36 complaints), tires & wheels (24 complaints), brakes (19 complaints).

Does the 2002 Ford F-250 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Ford F-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 F-250 under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Ford F-250 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-250 years to avoid are 2019, 2017, 1999, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2000, 2011, 2020, 1997, 2006, 2001, 2008, 1995, 2014. The cleanest record among F-250 years belongs to 1982.

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.