RoadVitals

2002 Ford F-150 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
821
Latest Jul 17, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
17
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
146

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Ford F-150, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

262
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made a loud sound. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed and determined that cylinder #3 spark plug had blown out, but no repair was recommended at the time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

NHTSA ID 11591276 · filed May 29, 2024

The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated that she observed smoke emanating from under the vehicle near the engine compartment. The contact stated that she opened the hood and flames erupted from the engine compartment near the battery. The contact threw dirt on the engine to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID 11539907 · filed Aug 21, 2023
All 262 reports naming engine

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

105
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Speed control deactivation switch

NHTSA ID 11511855 · filed Mar 14, 2023

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 · filed Sep 4, 2022
All 105 reports naming electrical

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

89
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Systems failed. Recalls incomplete

NHTSA ID 11556537 · filed Nov 22, 2023

The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH and attempting to pass a slower vehicle, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the pedal suddenly extended to the floorboard causing the vehicle to immediately accelerate faster than intended. During the failure the speed increased to over 75 MPH before the contact shifted the transmission into neutral and the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure on two other occasions and the cruise control feature was never activated during the failure. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 94,000.

NHTSA ID 11539704 · filed Aug 21, 2023
All 89 reports naming driver assistance

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

86
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 8, 2026

Just learned of recall.

NHTSA ID 11647264 · filed Mar 9, 2025
All 86 reports naming fuel system

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

52
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Front seatbelts on 2002 Ford F-150 become unlatched unexpectedly while driving. This has been noticed over the last two or three years occasionally, but has been getting worse. Seat belt has become unlatched about 5-6 times during a 600 mile road trip. Seat belt was confirmed by two passengers that it was indeed latched correctly and nothing pushing the release button. Seatbelt was confirmed to be latched by firmly tugging on seat belt to witness that it was latched. Both passengers confirmed that the seatbelt become unlatched randomly while driving. Passenger and driver safety is at risk. If driver seatbelt comes unlatched while driving or during accident, the driver could loose control of truck and put other drivers at risk. The unlatching does not show any warning signs as to when it will become unlatched. Seatbelt just becomes unlatched and starts to recoil without warning. Ford service just says that the truck is out of warranty and that they dont cover seat belt replacements as there is no open recalls for such. Seatbelt is still currently installed on vehicle but can be available for inspection on vehicle or removed for inspection.

NHTSA ID 11661168 · filed May 15, 2025

Systems failed. Recalls incomplete

NHTSA ID 11556537 · filed Nov 22, 2023
All 52 reports naming seat belts

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

45
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Left rear passenger door will not open. Door is jammed. This will not allow rear passengers to quickly exit vehicle if pinned in due to crash or fire.

NHTSA ID 11467942 · filed Jun 7, 2022

I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY WHEN A CAR THAT WAS TRAVELING IN AN EXCESS OF 80+ MILES AND REAR-ENDED MY 2002 FORD F 150. MY TRUCK WAS TOTALED AND MY DRIVERS SEAT BACK FRAME BROKE FROM RIGHT SIDE AND NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL FOR 3 DAYS. I HAD A CONCUSSION, NECK INJURY, KNEES AND RE-INJURED MY BACK. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ALIVE.

NHTSA ID 11361288 · filed Sep 26, 2020
All 45 reports naming body & structure

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

42
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Systems failed. Recalls incomplete

NHTSA ID 11556537 · filed Nov 22, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE AND THE CROSS CONTROL WENT INTO A LOCKED POSITION. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED, THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 222,112.

NHTSA ID 11229579 · filed Jul 5, 2019
All 42 reports naming brakes

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

35
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owned a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 50 MPH, she crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy upon impact. The contact's wife was taken to the hospital where she was treated for a concussion, multiple hematomas to her right thigh, right abdomen, and head; as well as three fractures on her vertebrae. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene to an independent tow yard where it remained in their possession. The dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The contact was informed by his insurance that the vehicle was a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 280,000.

NHTSA ID 11519988 · filed May 2, 2023

I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY WHEN A CAR THAT WAS TRAVELING IN AN EXCESS OF 80+ MILES AND REAR-ENDED MY 2002 FORD F 150. MY TRUCK WAS TOTALED AND MY DRIVERS SEAT BACK FRAME BROKE FROM RIGHT SIDE AND NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL FOR 3 DAYS. I HAD A CONCUSSION, NECK INJURY, KNEES AND RE-INJURED MY BACK. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ALIVE.

NHTSA ID 11361288 · filed Sep 26, 2020
All 35 reports naming airbags

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

30
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE CRUSE CONTROL, IT WAS REPLACED BY FORD, BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE, THE NEW ONE WORKED FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND STOP WORKING, NEVER WORK AFTER THAT. 2ND ITEM IS REAR WINDOW AND DRIVERS PASSANGER WINDOW LEAK RAIN WATER INSIDE THE CAB, LEAKS EVERYTIME IT RAINS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID 10787156 · filed Oct 29, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD WAS LEAKING WATER INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID 10703528 · filed Apr 3, 2015
All 30 reports naming visibility

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

28
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I have a 2002 Ford F-150 and The problem is with the transmission my vechile acts like it's going in reverse and when it goes to backup it seems as something is locked I been over the brakes and rear end and yet nothing has came up I even replaced the transmission filter to see if that would help but nothing so I been having to drive my truck with no reverse and today the overdrive light on the shifter started blinking what is the problem with these transmission please Ford do a recall to fix the transmission

NHTSA ID 11480382 · filed Aug 21, 2022

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY HIS STEP-SON. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CYLINDER VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED SKYLINE FORD LOCATED AT 2510 COMMERCIAL ST SE, SALEM, OR 97302, (503) 581-2411, AND THE DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID 11330190 · filed Jun 22, 2020
All 28 reports naming powertrain (other)

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

25
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150 EQUIPPED WITH FOUR TOYO NITTO TERRA GRAPPER TIRES, SIZE: 285/55/20 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 60-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED BUBBLES IN THE TREAD ON BOTH FRONT TIRES. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ID 11216951 · filed May 30, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150 EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER SR-A TIRES, SIZE: P255/70R16 (NA). UPON INSPECTING THE TIRES, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TREAD WAS CRACKED ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200.

NHTSA ID 11166311 · filed Jan 10, 2019
All 25 reports naming tires & wheels

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

25
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SEED CONTRAL.

NHTSA ID 10955506 · filed Feb 19, 2017

ENGINE QUITS RUNNING AND WONT RESTART, SO YOU HAVE NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. PROBLEM INDICATORS ARE 1. ENGINE WONT RESTART/ OR QUIT RUNNING 2. ODOMETER READS ALL DASHES, NO NUMBERS,3. ANTI THEFT ACTIVATED. THIS IS CAUSED BY THE POWER WIRE IN THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE HOOD CORRODING OFF FOR THE PCM RELAY AND LEAVING THE PCM DEAD. *TR

NHTSA ID 10630914 · filed Sep 5, 2014
All 25 reports naming steering

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

25
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

IN MY CASE THERE WERE THREE SEPARATE OCCURRENCES WHERE MY SPARK PLUGS SHOT OUT OF MY ENGINE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY CRUISING ALONG ABOUT 70 MPH. I ACTUALLY THOUGHT I BLEW A TIRE.THIS WAS AT NIGHT SO IN THE MORNING I CHECKED IT OUT WITH A FRIEND'S HELP AND SAW THE PLUG SITTING RIGHT WHERE IT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE. SO WE WENT AND BOUGHT A NEW PLUG AND COIL PACK AND THREADED IT BACK IN AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT IT STAYED THERE AND STILL IS THERE TODAY. THIS FIRST TIME WAS ROUGHLY 3 1/2 YRS AGO. THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED WHILE MY SAME FRIEND WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK TO HIS HOUSE BUT THIS TIME IT WAS A DIFFERENT PLUG AND WE WEREN'T SO LUCKY THREADING IT BACK IN. THE THREADS WERE STRIPPED OUT SO WE HELICOILED IT BACK IN OURSELVES AND IT IS STILL THERE TODAY. THIS SECOND TIME WAS ROUGHLY 2 YRS AGO. THE LAST TIME HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT RIGHT AS I STARTED MY TRUCK UP.THE PLUG ACTUALLY HIT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HOOD WHEN IT BLEW. SO AGAIN I BOUGHT A NEW PLUG AND COIL PACK AND LUCKILY IT THREADED BACK IN AGAIN. SO NOW I AM VERY GUNSHY NATURALLY EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT. TO PROPERLY CORRECT THIS PROBLEM IT WOULD COST A SMALL FORTUNE AND TO SELL IT AS IS WHO WILL BUY IT. ALSO ON THIS SAME VEHICLE MY TRANSMISSION BLEW AT 39,000 MILES WHEN THE WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 36,000 NATURALLY I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THAT COST ME $3,500 AND A WEEK STRANDED. I HAD TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED AT A DEALERSHIP. THE TRUCK IS A F150 HARLEY DAVIDSON EDITION. IT NOW HAS ROUGHLY 94,000 MILES ON IT. THE DATES ARE ALL APPROXIMATE ALONG WITH THE MILEAGE WHEN THEY OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10298380 · filed Jan 5, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150 PURCHASED NEW SEPTEMBER 2002. WHILE DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENGAGE NOR SHIFT INTO GEAR. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE FORD DEALER CONCLUDED THAT THE SLEIGH CYLINDER HAD FAILED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 . THE CURRENT WAS 136,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10297542 · filed Dec 30, 2009
All 25 reports naming transmission

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

23
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated while at a tire shop to have the tires rotated, the mechanic was unable to remove the tires due to the lug nuts being swollen. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and suggested to the contact to call the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ID 11569578 · filed Feb 2, 2024

TAKATA RECALL. WHILE I WAS DRIVING I NOTICED A LOUD POP AND MY TRUCK STARTED VIBRATING AND SPUN ME SIDEWAYS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HAD FOUGHT IT UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL AND COME TO A STOP. (I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH THAT NOBODY ELSE WAS HEADING IN MY DIRECTION BECAUSE THE TRUCK TOOK UP BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD). I GOT OUT AND LOOKED TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND SEEN MY ALUMINUM FORD FACTORY RIM HAD BUSTED INTO PIECES. TAKATA RECALL. A PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING AS OF RIGHT NOW IS SPARK PLUGS KEEP FLYING OUT AND DESTROYING MY COIL PACKS. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT HAS DONE THIS.

NHTSA ID 10853941 · filed Apr 7, 2016
All 23 reports naming other / unspecified

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

21
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the rear driver's side and rear passenger's side doors failed to open from inside or outside the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced due to the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ID 11557057 · filed Nov 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated while opening the driver’s side rear door, the door failed to unlatch. The contact also attempted to open the passenger’s side rear door; however, the door would not unlatch. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the wiring harness in the doors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ID 11506395 · filed Feb 9, 2023
All 21 reports naming interior & seats

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

20
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 FORD F-150 VIN # ([XXX]) DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 45MPH WHEN IT STARTED WHEEL HOPPING FROM THE REAR VERY BAD, THERE WAS A SCHOOL BUS STOPPED LETTING CHILDREN OFF & AS I WAS BRAKING IT WAS HOPPING & WAS A NEAR MISS, THIS WAS CLOSE. I PULLED THE TRUCK OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INSPECT AS I AM MECHANICALLY INCLINED & RETIRED, FOR THE FIRST 10 YEARS OF MY LIFE I WORKED IN THE AUTOMOBILE FIELD BECAUSE I HAD SCHOOLING FOR IT, ANYWAY I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK & SPOTTED THE PROBLEM RIGHT OFF THE BAT, BOTH REAR CENTER LEAF SPRINGS ARE BROKEN BIGGER THAN CRAP. I AM 54 AND A DIE HARD FORD FAN AND HAVE BEEN SINCE THE AGE OF 16, THAT IS ALL I HAVE OWNED & I AM THINKING ABOUT SWITCHING BRANDS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS TRUCK. I AM THE SECOND OWNER, I BOUGHT IT IN 10/2004 WITH 13,000 MILES. IT HAS NEVER HAD ANYTHING OVER 100 POUNDS HAULED IN IT AND I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS DRIVEN IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT. IS THERE ANY RECALLS FOR MY TRUCK ON THIS PROBLEM? CAN FORD MOTOR COMPANY DO ANYTHING FOR ME? THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10638146 · filed Sep 22, 2014

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 · filed May 7, 2013
All 20 reports naming suspension

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TRUCK WAS PURCHASED AS USED IN OCT, 2016, SO WE HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF PREVIOUS DRIVER'S HABITS OR PROBLEMS. EVERYTHING SEEMED TO WORK FINE. PRIMARY DRIVER IS 5 FEET TALL AND MOVED THE STEERING WHEEL DOWN TO MAKE A MORE COMFORTABLE DRIVING POSITION. LATE DEC, 2016, EARLY JAN, 2017 WHILE PARKED, WE DISCOVERED THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND ONE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT NO LONGER WORKED..THE HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT WAS A BAD BULB, BUT WHEN A CHECK OF FUSES AND BULBS FOR THE OTHER LIGHTS WERE FOUND TO BE OK, WE DECIDED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS BAD. WRONG ! MORE RESEARCH POINTED THE PROBLEM TO THE MULTI FUNCTION/COMBINATION SWITCH OR ITS CONNECTIONS, ACTUAL PROBLEM WAS THE CONNECTIONS ON THE MFS. NUMEROUS REFERRALS TO THIS PROBLEM FOR MANY FORD YEAR MODELS ARE POSTED ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS SEVERAL VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE.COM. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT SEVERAL WIRES GOING TO THE MFS HAD PULLED OUT OF THE CONNECTOR WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOWERED. CONNECTOR WAS DAMAGED BY THIS ACTION. WIRE CABLE GOING TO THE MFS IS FIXED SOLID TO THE STEERING COLUMN, AND THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SLACK IN THE WIRES TO ALLOW THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE LOWERED ALL THE WAY WITHOUT CAUSING THE PULLED WIRES AND DAMAGED CONNECTOR. PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AT OWNERS EXPENSE SINCE THE TRUCK WAS HAZARDOUS, UNSAFE, AND ILLEGAL TO DRIVE WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS AND PARTIAL TURN SIGNALS. DRIVING WITHOUT THESE LIGHTS, ESPECIALLY IN NE OHIO IN THE WINTER SNOW STORMS - I DON'T THINK SO !! COST OF REPAIRS:SEE FORWARDED INVOICE. IT APPEARS THE PROBLEM WAS BUILT INTO THE TRUCK FROM THE BEGINNING AND FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS AS WELL AS RECALLING ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE REPLACEMENT FORD CABLE PART XL1Z-14A320-AA COMES WITH LONGER LEADS TO AVOID THE PROBLEM, SO FORD IS CERTAINLY AWARE OF THIS FAILURE BUT HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT !!

NHTSA ID 10948698 · filed Jan 31, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE REAR LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V352000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,505.

NHTSA ID 10654330 · filed Nov 12, 2014
All 10 reports naming exterior lighting

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .