VehicleVerdict

2002 Ford F-350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 140 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.2 times the median F-350 year — the 2002 model ranks #20 of 53 F-350 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 14 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across tires & wheels (24), engine (22), and electrical system (16), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

140

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

19

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

14

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other F-350 years?

F-350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted729 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 2 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 3 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 4 complaints1986: 17 complaints1987: 8 complaints1988: 34 complaints1989: 55 complaints1990: 63 complaints1991: 34 complaints1992: 74 complaints1993: 129 complaints1994: 126 complaints1995: 191 complaints1996: 167 complaints1997: 188 complaints1998: 16 complaints1999: 531 complaints2000: 367 complaints2001: 181 complaints2002: 140 complaints2003: 100 complaints2004: 216 complaints2005: 170 complaints2006: 206 complaints2007: 56 complaints2008: 176 complaints2009: 55 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 204 complaints2012: 252 complaints2013: 110 complaints2014: 150 complaints2015: 289 complaints2016: 290 complaints2017: 729 complaints2018: 304 complaints2019: 721 complaints2020: 234 complaints2021: 119 complaints
F-350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-350 years to avoid →

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

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels2417%
Engine2216%
Steering1611%
Electrical System1611%
Brakes118%
Transmission107%
Speed Control75%
Suspension64%
Body & Structure64%
Visibility & Wipers43%
Fuel System43%
Seat Belts43%
Other32%
Airbags21%
Seats11%
Trailer Hitch11%
Driver Assistance11%
Latches & Locks11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2002 Ford F-350 have recalls?

3 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.

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)

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F350 TREAD WAYS EL DORADO ZTR SPORT LT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · March 3, 2010 · crash

“MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HIS FORD F350 TRUCK DOWN THE ROAD WHEN HE SMELLED SMOKE AT FIRST HE WASN'T SURE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM THEN HE LOOKED DOWN AND SAW FIRE COMING OUT OF THE FIRE WALL AND UP HIS LEG, HE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND GOT OUT. HE COULD NOT EXTINGUISH IT AND THE FIRE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 20, 2009 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THE STARTER ENGAGED WITHOUT THE KEY BEING INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO A BOAT THAT WAS ATTACHED TO IT AND THEN CRASHED INTO A REFRIGERATOR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 9, 2014 · crash

“LTR FM ANDRIJ ANDREITCHUX(NJ) OWNER OF A FORD F350 TRUCK UNABLE TO CONNECT WITH 33 FOOT RV TRAILER HOOK SYSTEM CAUSES TRUCK TO LOCK-UP DEFECT REPLY TO THE ELIZABETH, NJ DISTRICT OFC. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *NM CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 1, 1901 · crash

“FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER RESULTED IN A STALLED VEHICLE IN THE NUMBER 1 LANE OF I-80W OUT OF SACRAMENTO, CA. VERY HEAVY LABOR DAY TRAFFIC PREVENTED AN ACCIDENT. (STOP AND GO TRAFFIC). AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE TRUCK WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR AFTER THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER WAS PLACED IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 3, 2012

2002 Ford F-350 — common questions

Is the 2002 Ford F-350 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 140 complaints put the 2002 model at #20 of 53 F-350 years. It is one of the F-350 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 F-350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (24 complaints), engine (22 complaints), electrical system (16 complaints).

Does the 2002 Ford F-350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Ford F-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 F-350 under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Ford F-350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-350 years to avoid are 2017, 2019, 1999, 2000, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2020, 2004, 2006, 2011, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2008, 2005, 1996, 2014, 2002, 1993, 1994, 2021, 2013, 2003. The cleanest record among F-350 years belongs to 2010.

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.