Ford · F-250 · 2002
7
Recalls
156
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2002 Ford F-250 has 7 recalls and 156 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: tires (22 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Remedy Status
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)
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-250. The contact initially discovered patches of fluid on the garage floor. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. The dealer discovered a leak in the engine oil pan due to a faulty silicone gasket. The contact stated that the oil pan was replaced by the same dealer a year prior to the recent failure. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall on the VIN related to the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 138,683.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being lifted onto a tow truck, fuel began to leak from the middle plastic made fuel tank. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank hoses were faulty. The mechanic determined that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.
The vehicle is equipped with adjustable brake and accelerator. The pedals should move up and down together. But the brake pedal is several inches higher causing a safety issue.
Both front driver and passenger seat belts will pop out of buckle while driving. This happens at any speed.
As soon as the truck started, it popped out one of its spark plug. The truck started shaking and made a hollow noise and began to smoke and quickly caught on fire. The fire burned the entire truck.
While driving on a fairly rough highway I'm AZ, 180A, traveling about 50 mph over bumps and repaired cracks in the pavement, the steering wobbled and shook which did not seem far out of the ordinary on this particular stretch of highway. Suddenly, without warning, the steering failed causing loss of control of the vehicle, the driver was unable to steer the truck which veered off the road and sent us directly into the embankment of a dry wash. The truck hit the embankment head on 50-55 mph. I was riding as passenger of my vehicle since I was 8 months pregnant and experiencing severe heartburn all morning. My fiance drive and 3 of my children were in the back seat. After crashing head on into the dirt wall I was pinned in between the dashboard and seat. I suffered serious life changing injuries as a result. One of the firefighters who arrived in the scene inspected and confirmed the steering was broken. I was sent by helicopter to Flagstaff regional medical center where I spent 10 days. The truck was towed to an impound yard in St John's, az. I was able to retrieve my personal belongings but was not able to afford the tow truck drivers verbal quote of the charges due nor the cost to tow the totaled truck back home to snowflake. The truck had a lien and I assumed the lienholder would be notified to collect the vehicle. They were not notified and t ownership was transferred leaving me an abandoned vehicle fee and hold on my registration privileges in AZ. The truck is likely still at the tow yard which may allow an inspection if requested, however I no longer own it as a result of the circumstances. My 9 year old son was injured in the accident as well as my own informed which included a shattered patella and fractured acetabulum, after orthopedic surgery I was made to deliver my unborn son via C-section, thankfully the baby suffered no physical injuries.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and continued driving to his residence. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300,000.
THE EMERGENCY PARKING BREAK DOES NOT WORK, I DON'T THINK IT EVER HAS. I HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED TWICE OVER THE YEARS AND IT QUICKLY QUIT BOTH TIMES. IT FEELS LIKE NORMAL RESISTANCE WHEN YOU PUSH IT IN WITH YOUR FOOT, AND DOES A NORMAL CLUNK AND RELEASE WHEN YOU RELEASE IT, BUT IT DOES NOT AT ALL HOLD THE TRUCK IN PLACE. IT IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION SO IT IS VERY INCONVENIENT FOR THIS TO NOT WORK. AN EXAMPLE, THAT I HAVE TO DEAL WITH REGULARLY IS HOOKING UP TO A TRAILER. I NEED TO GET OUT TO SEE HOW CLOSE I AM AND I HAVE TO PUT IT IN GEAR (ONLY REVERSE WILL HOLD IT, THE OTHER GEARS WILL SLIP AND THE TRUCK WILL ROLL) AND TURN IT OFF TO GO LOOK.
2002 F-250 7.3L DIESEL. DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY PULLING A HORSE TRAILER ENGINE JUST COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. I LOST ALL STEERING AND BRAKES. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED WHILE COASTING. DROVE ANOTHER FEW MILES AND IT STALLED AGAIN. WOULD NOT START AGAIN AFTER THAT. THIS HAPPENED ON A REMOTE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. HAD A WRECKER TOW US TO A DIESEL SHOP WHO REPORTED TRUCK STARTED FINE NEXT DAY. WENT AND PICKED IT UP AND IT STUTTERED A FEW TIMES ON THE WAY HOME BUT DID NOT STALL. A FEW MONTHS LATER, ENGINE STALLED AT A RED LIGHT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC BUT STARTED BACK UP. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO READ A CAM POSITION SENSOR CIRCUIT FAULT ON THE COMPUTER. REPLACED CAM POSITION SENSOR. A FEW MONTHS LATER, STALLED AGAIN AT AN INTERSECTION. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. UPON ARRIVING AND UNLOADING FROM WRECKER. TRUCK STARTED UP. STARTED TO DRIVE IT HOME AND STALLED AGAIN HALFWAY THERE ON A BUSY RURAL ROAD WITH NO SHOULDER. CALLED WRECKER AGAIN AND TOWED TO DIFFERENT DIESEL SHOP. REPLACED CPS AGAIN AND TRUCK STARTED FINE. TOOK IT HOME AND RAN IT AT IDLE UNTIL ENGINE TEMP WAS NORMAL. ENGINE STALLED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT START. WAITED ABOUT 2 HOURS AND IT STARTED UP JUST FINE AND RAN AT IDLE FOR ONE HOUR WITHOUT STALLING. CURRENT CPS WAS FROM FORD DEALER (THE GREY ONE) BUT APPARENTLY THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE ONE INVOLVED IN NHTSA ID: EA06012 RECALL FROM 2006 IS STILL A PROBLEM. IT COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND CAUSE A SERIOUS CRASH. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-250. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM TANK STRAPS WERE LOSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER (APPLE FORD LINCOLN OF YORK, 1801 WHITEFORD RD, YORK, PA 17402, (717) 755-2911) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SPEAK WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND FILE A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 174,000.
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 OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,700.
NO WRECK THAT I WAS TOLD ABOUT WHEN BOUGHT
ON NOVEMBER 26TH 2017, MY TRUCK STARTED HAVING A SIGNIFICANT MIS-FIRE IN CYLINDER #4. TRAVELLING AT ABOUT 30 MPH ON CITY STREETS; THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE ALTHOUGH DIFFICULT TO LIMP THE VEHICLE HOME AS IT DID NOT ACCELERATE WELL. UPON REMOVING THE SPARK PLUG; IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD THREADS IN THE SPARK PLUG PORT HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. THIS WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN EJECTED SPARK PLUG HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN CONTINUED TO BE OPERATED. SINCE THIS IS THE 3RD DIFFERENT CYLINDER THIS HAS OCCURRED ON WITH NUMEROUS REPORTS FROM MULTIPLE OWNERS OF THE SAME ENGINE DESIGN BY FORD; I HAVE DECIDED TO FILE THIS REPORT. THIS IS THE 2ND REPORT I HAVE FILED WITH THE NHTSA. THE FIRST REPORT I FILED WAS BECAUSE THE 2ND TIME THIS OCCURRED; A SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM THE #3 CYLINDER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN SPEED IN TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. THAT OCCURRENCE ALSO CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION AND HAD TO BE PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. EVEN THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT REPORTS TO FORD AND DOCUMENTED OCCURRENCES DATING BACK TO 1997; FORD CONTINUES TO SAY THAT BECAUSE NO "SAFETY ISSUES" HAVE RISEN OR BEEN PROVEN TO BE CAUSED BY THIS ISSUE THAT IT IS NOT THERE PROBLEM. I WILL ALSO BE FILING REPORTS WITH BBB, CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND CONSUMER REPORTS.
ONE OF THE VAPOR VALVES BREAKS ON THE GASOLINE TANK, IT IS NOT REPLACEABLE SO YOU HAVE TO BUY A NEW TANK. FORD HAS OBSOLETED THE TANK AND IT IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM ANY PLACE. YOU CAN SMELL THE GAS VAPORS WHEN THE TRUCK IS AT REST. I AM WAITING FOR IT TO BLOW UP.
CRUISE CONTROL ISSUE
THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WILL UNLATCHED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEED. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON ALL PAVED STREETS AND HIGHWAYS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V553000 (ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE, HEARD A LOUD POP. LOST ALL STEERING ABILITY. STEERING BOX SHAFT SHEARED IN HALF. I WAS PULLING A 18' EMPTY TRAILER AT THE TIME. TRUCK BLOCKED BOTH WESTBOUND LANES ALMOST CAUSING LIFE THREATENING INJURIES. BOTH COUNTY SHERIFF AND VA STATE POLICE CAME TO SCENE.
MY VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN OUT MY DRIVEWAY WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THEN TO THE LEFT THE SAME. WHILE SITTING STILL I COULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT NONE STOP. FLUID IS FULL. WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT STEERS FINE UNTIL I TURN A LITTLE TO RIGHT OR LEFT THEN IT GETS TIGHT. I NOTICED FROM 2002 TO 2006 THEIR WERE STEERING PROBLEMS UNSOLVED. *TR
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2002 Ford F-250 has 7 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 156 owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Ford F-250.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2002 Ford F-250.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2002 Ford F-250 are tires (22 reports), engine and engine cooling (18 reports), engine (10 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 7 recalls on record for the 2002 Ford F-250. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.