RoadVitals

2002 Ford F-150 Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
86
Latest Apr 8, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 821 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Ford F-150 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 86 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

The 25 most recent of 86, in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Apr 8, 2026

Cruise control kicked on and won't go off. Gas fumes come from the AC unit. When driving the truck started speeding up. Now the truck is parked.

NHTSA ID
11729847
Incident
Mar 3, 2024
Fuel system
Filed Mar 9, 2025

Just learned of recall.

NHTSA ID
11647264
Incident
Mar 9, 2025
Fuel system
Filed Jul 26, 2024

DRIVING DOWN [XXX] THE STRAPS ON MY GAS TANK BROKE BECAUSE THEY RUSTED THRU CAUSING GAS TANK TO DROP AND SPILL FUEL ALL OVER [XXX] IN IOWA CAUSING SO MUCH FUEL SPILLED OUT THEY HAD TO CLOSE ONE LANE OF TRAFFIC....THE FIRE DEPT CHIEF OF WHITING, IOWA, STEVEN SNYDER, Can verify what happened....THERE IS A POLICE REPORT BUT I DIDN'T HAVE IT FILING OUT THIS REPORT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11604628
Incident
Jul 24, 2024
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Sep 4, 2022
Fire reported

Unknown cause of incident. Vehicle is available for inspection. Vehicle spontaneously burst into flames. No reproduction due to incident happening on 09/02/2022. Vehicle inspected by Fire Department and California Highway Patrol. No warnings or symptoms leading up to incident. On 09/02/2022 I attempted to help my wife that was stranded out State Route Highway 36 in her 2009 BMW 750 LI at the Van Duzen Grange. I had been hooked up to her car for approximately 10 to 15 minutes with my truck idling when she screamed, " Your truck's on FIRE!" I barely got myself out of the cab when a ball of flames shot through the dashboard. 3/4ths of the truck was consumed in fire in less than 5 minutes. Fire Department arrived approximately 10 minutes later and doused the fire. Everything in my truck was destroyed. My wife's BMW suffered severe damage to the front end.

NHTSA ID
11482791
Incident
Sep 2, 2022
Fuel system
Filed Jul 3, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURED AND THE FUEL TANK DROPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ID
11105298
Incident
Jul 2, 2018
Mileage
135,000 mi
Body & structureFuel system
Filed Oct 2, 2017

MY FIANCE AND I HAD TO PLACE ARE FULL SIZE SPARE ON THAT CAME WITH TRUCK IT WAS BRAND NEW WE HAD NO CHOICE BC THIS WAS FRIDAY EVENING AND OUT LOCAL TIRE SHOP WAS CLOSED TELL TODAY (MONDAY) YESTERDAY WE DROVE 7 MILE TO COLLINSVILE TO CHANGE BRAKES AFTER WE FINISH WE LOAD OUR 3 KIDS AND BEFAN TO HIDE HOME ANOTHER 3 MILES FROM HOME WE NOTICE THE TRUCK SHAKING THEN WE HEARD LOAD POP AND TAIL OF THE TRUCK LOST CONTROL FOR ABOUT 2 SECOND ONCE WE GOT CONTROL BACK WE PULLED TO SAFETY TO ONLY SEE THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE BED CRACKED TORE AND SHATTERED. EVEN THE HOSE WHERE U FUEL U TRUCK UP AT HAD BEEN DAMAGETTING WHEN WE CONTINUED TO EXAMINE THE TIRE IT WASN'T BLOWN AND IT'S STILL HOLDING AIR. BUT PLZ EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THE ENTIRE CENTER SECTION OF TREAD RIPPED OFF FOR NO REASON AND NOT ONLY PUT MY CHILDREN IN DANGER BUT DAMAGED MY TRUCK TO A SEVERE EXTENT ? IT'S A FULL SIE HERCULES TERRAIN TRAC SIZE 16 HAD NOTHING WRONG WITH IT TELL NOW.

NHTSA ID
11030768
Incident
Oct 1, 2017
Mileage
141,513 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 27, 2017

MY 2002 F150 TRUCK DROPPED THE FUEL TANK ON 5/26/2017. MIRACULOUSLY, MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WEREN'T KILLED. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE USING THE TRUCK, HELPING A FRIEND MOVE. LUCKILY, THEY JUST LEFT MCDONALDS RESTAURANT WHEN IT BROKE. THEY WERE ON A SIDE STREET AND WERE FORCED TO STAY WHERE THEY WERE. THE EASTPOINT FIRE-DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED ON SCENE DUE TO GASOLINE LEAKING OUT OF THE TANK INTO THE STREET. THEY STAYED WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL AAA WAS CALLED. THEY TOWED THE TRUCK ON A FLATBED TRUCK AND DELIVERED IT TO MY GUYS AUTO REPAIR, GRATIOT, ROSEVILLE, MI. MY TRUCK HAD A RECALL ON IT FOR SAFETY STRAPS, WHICH WERE THE CAUSE BY BREAKING. I TRIED TO GET IT FIXED AT DORIAN FORD, CLINTON TWP.,MI. 2 YEARS PRIOR, BUT WAS GIVEN A 'RUNAROUND' BY DORIAN FORD, TELLING ME TO BRING IT IN FOR REPAIR IN 2 MONTHS TIME. I FORGOT WHEN THE 2 MONTHS WERE UP AND DORIAN FORD DIDN'T TRY TO CONTACT ME. I AM FORCED NOW TO PAY OVER 1500 DOLLARS TO REPAIR MY TRUCK, WHICH I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I AM GRATEFUL BEYOND BELIEF THAT MY FAMILY OR I WEREN'T KILLED. PLEASE ADVISE ME ON WHAT I CAN DO IN LIGHT OF EVERYTHING IE...COMPENSATION FOR SAID REPAIR, ETC. THANK-YOU.

NHTSA ID
10991912
Incident
May 26, 2017
Mileage
103,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 15, 2017

FUEL TANK STRAPS BROKE WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON CITY STREETS PUTTING A HOLE IN THE TANK AND SPILLING OUT FUEL WHILE DRIVING. FORD HAD A RECALL ON THE SAME YEAR & MODEL OF VEHICLE, HOWEVER OURS WAS NOT RECALLED.

NHTSA ID
10966223
Incident
Mar 4, 2017
Mileage
150,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 27, 2016

IN THE LESS THAN 2 YEARS WE HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK, IT HAS BLOWN SPARK PLUGS 3 TIMES.

NHTSA ID
10937750
Incident
Dec 10, 2016
Fuel system
Filed Oct 7, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL CONTINUOUSLY. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V3850000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000. UPDATED 01/10/17*LJ *TR

NHTSA ID
10914435
Incident
Sep 7, 2016
Mileage
149,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 30, 2016

MY VEHICLE HAD ITS FUEL TANK STRAPS REPLACED UNDER A RECALL. THE CORROSION FROM THE ORIGINAL STRAPS SPREAD TO THE FUEL TANK. NOW, THE CORROSION ON THE FUEL TANK HAS CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO BEGIN LEAKING UNDER THE REPLACED STRAPS. PERHAPS SOME OF THE ISSUE IS DUE TO THE PROCESS / PROCEDURE USED IN REPLACING THE ORIGINAL FUEL TANK STRAPS. VEHICLE NOW HAS APPROX 207,000 MILES. FUEL LEAK WAS NOTICED WHILE PERFORMING OTHER REGULAR MAINTENANCE.

NHTSA ID
10910713
Incident
Sep 30, 2016
Mileage
207,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalFuel system
Filed May 3, 2016

VEHICLE CAB ROCKER PANELS RUSTING OFF REAR WINDOW LEAKING CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING VEHICLE RUSTING AND BEEN IN AREA WITH NO SALT ON ROADS

NHTSA ID
10862917
Incident
Jan 1, 2011
Mileage
85,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. WHILE WALKING PAST THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE CORRODED AND CREATED A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK, WHICH CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT THE REMEDY COULD NOT BE PERFORMED AT THE TIME DUE TO THE CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 202,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/31/2016*LJ

NHTSA ID
10855534
Incident
Mar 31, 2016
Mileage
201,593 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Nov 4, 2015
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 01/27/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ID
10788429
Incident
Oct 14, 2015
Fuel system
Filed Aug 21, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRAP HANGING UNDER THE FUEL TANK AND THAT FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST AND HOLES UNDERNEATH THE TANK THAT CAME FROM CORROSION AND THAT THE STRAPS ON THE TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ID
10750249
Incident
Aug 17, 2015
Mileage
135,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Apr 2, 2015

WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH CYLINDER #5 SPARK PLUG LIBERATED IT SELF FROM THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10703431
Incident
Apr 2, 2015
Mileage
138,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 22, 2015

THERE'S A RECALL ALREADY FOR THE FUEL TANK STRAPS IN THE SALT BELT STATES.I LIVE ABOUT 20 MILE FROM TENN.IM SEATING AT MY JOB AND LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND MY FUEL TANK STRAP BROKE.THE TANK WAS ABOUT 2 INCH ABOVE THE ROAD.CALL FORD AND THEY SAID ITS NOT COVERED.IM IN THE MOUNTAINS AND WE USE ROAD SALT EVERY YEAR.WHAT MAKES TEN ANY DIFFERENT.THIS COULD HAVE BEEN BAD IT STARTED DRAGGING ON THE ROAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING.WHER THE STRAP RUST.IT CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO RUST.NOW THE TANK IS LEAKING SAME PLACE THE STRAP RUSTED.HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10678298
Incident
Jan 22, 2015
Mileage
156,371 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 7, 2014

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF HEAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10662681
Incident
Nov 16, 2014
Mileage
134,600 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Sep 23, 2014

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE UNDER VERY NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH, MY TRUCK BEGAN TO RUN VERY ROUGH AND THERE WERE LOUD POPPING NOISES COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE PASSENGER SIDE VALVE COVER. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A BLOWN-OUT SPARK PLUG AND COIL PACK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10638440
Incident
Sep 22, 2014
Mileage
160,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 4, 2013

THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BECOME DAMAGED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10554836
Incident
Nov 29, 2013
Mileage
71,525 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 7, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH, THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS FAILED AND THE FUEL TANK BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STRAPS HAD FAILED DUE TO RUST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ID
10551426
Incident
Nov 6, 2013
Mileage
66,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 29, 2013

FUEL TANK STRAPS RUSTED THRU THE GAS TANK, FORD REPLACED THE STRAPS, BUT WOULD NOT COVER THE GAS TANK. THE FRAME, ROCKER PANELS, CAB & BED ARE RUSTED THRU, WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
10537946
Incident
Aug 1, 2013
Mileage
156,000 mi
Body & structureFuel systemSuspension+1 more
Filed May 7, 2013

THE REAR PORTION OF THE FRAME IS ROTTEN TO THE POINT THAT THE LET SPRINGS HANGERS ARE READY TO BREAK OFF THE FRAME AND THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER IS ALSO READY TO FALL OFF. I JUST REPLACED THE REAR SPRING SHACKLES DUE TO THE WERE ALSO ROTTEN AND BROKE. THE GAS TANK STRAPS WERE ALSO A PROBLEM DUE TO RUST BUT FORD THOUGH ENOUGH OF THE PROBLEM THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT, TOYOTA HAD A PROBLEM WITH RUSTED FRAMES AND DID A MASSIVE RECALL ON THAT ISSUE. WHY HASN'T FORD DONE THE SAME THING? THE FRAME SHOULD BE THE LAST THING ONE NEEDS TO WORRY ABOUT WITH ANY VEHICLE. THE TRUCK CURRENTLY HAS 146000 MILES AND NOW WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE NEXT MOVE WILL BE WITH THIS VEHICLE. REPAIR IT, JUNK IT OR TRADE IT ????? *TR

NHTSA ID
10510898
Incident
May 7, 2013
Mileage
146,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 9, 2013

THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE GAS TANK FELL OUT. THE TANK STRAPS HAD RUSTED THROUGH DROPPING THE TANK. THE TANK CUT OPEN FROM SKIDDING ON AN INTERSTATE EXPRESSWAY RELEASING 23 GALLONS OF FUEL. FORD DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AND SAID THE STRAPS ARE UNDER RECALL AND WILL REPLACE, BUT WILL NOT REPLACE THE TANK. THE TANK IS ONLY DAMAGED DUE TO FAULTY STRAPS WHICH FORD HAS IDENTIFIED AS PROBLEMATIC. THE FAULTY STRAPS BY FORD HAVE RESULTED IN A LARGE FINANCIAL LOSS DUE TO TOW, CLEANUP, GAS LOSS, TIME.... AND FORD ESTIMATES $800 FOR A NEW GAS TANK. THIS IS A SEVERE HAZARD AND THANKFUL NOBODY WAS INJURED. I BELIEVE THE NEXT PERSON MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10505634
Incident
Apr 4, 2013
Mileage
220,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 5, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL CAMPAIGNS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10501359
Incident
Mar 5, 2013
Mileage
150,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .