2002 Ford F-350 Owner Complaints

We were just driving when the truck started smoking and the brakes wouldn’t work. After a few minutes the truck completely caught on fire.

NHTSA ID

11685606

Incident

Aug 19, 2025

The frame at the leaf spring hangars has cracked apart at only 131,000 miles on the truck. This issue is becoming more and more common over the years it seems and comparable age trucks from other manufacturers are having this issue for the same age.

NHTSA ID

11668667

Incident

Jun 23, 2025

[XXX] tire on passenger’s rear began to have significant vibration while towing 16,000 lb. fifth-wheel RV. Stopped and visually/tactilely determined unusual wear pattern so went to commercial tire shop in Pahrump, NV. Their inspection determined tread separation rendering the tire unusable so we replaced it with a different brand. This is the third of three tires installed at the same time that have suffered tread separation failure. The first was in July 2023 and was not reported to NHTSA, but when two more tires failed at the same time, I decided to report. Because this type of failure does not produce TPMS warnings, it could have been a catastrophic failure that might have resulted in damage to our vehicles and/or a crash with significant injury to us or other motorists. With three failures from the same batch of tires on our vehicle, I believe there is a serious problem with this batch of tires and they should be recalled. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11578683

Incident

Mar 13, 2024

[XXX] tire on driver's rear began to have significant vibration while towing 16,000 lb. fifth-wheel RV. Stopped and visually/tactilely determined unusual wear pattern so went to commercial tire shop in Pahrump, NV. Their inspection determined tread separation rendering the tire unusable so we replaced it with a different brand. This is the second of three tires installed at the same time that have suffered tread separation failure. The first was in July 2023 and was not reported to NHTSA, but when two more tires failed at the same time, I decided to report. Because this type of failure does not produce TPMS warnings, it could have been a catastrophic failure that might have resulted in damage to our vehicles and/or a crash with significant injury to us or other motorists. With three failures from the same batch of tires on our vehicle, I believe there is a serious problem with this batch of tires and they should be recalled. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11578678

Incident

Mar 13, 2024

there has been intense rust and corrosion in the roof seams and welds. This has led to water leaks and damage to the interior of the vehicle. The integrity of the roof has been compromised, and I am concerned about the possibility of roof crush should there be an accident. Not to mention the mold, rot and damage to the interior and electrical systems I have already suffered due to the defect. On February 3, 2023, I contacted the Ford Motors helpline and spoke to [XXX] (direct phone # [XXX] ext [XXX]) to discuss the issue.[XXX] created a request for a buyback and assigned a case number of [XXX]. She also requested that I send photos to [XXX] and visit the local Ford dealership so they could assess the vehicle and share the information with her. I was able to make an apt for Feb 6,2023 @ 10:50 with [XXX] @ Envision ford of Oxnard. When I arrived for the assessment, [XXX] did one walk around the vehicle (he did not inspect the roof at all) and then said he couldn’t help me as he this was a Ford issue, and they were a franchise. I contacted [XXX] with follow up from that meeting, as well as photos of the vehicle. About two weeks after this apt. [XXX] said the case was closed. I am extremely disappointed with how this case was handled, especially considering the significant investment I made in purchasing and maintaining it my vehicle. When I made the original investment I was told that the engine would last up to a million miles…but never imagined the body would be worthless at the 300,00 mark. There is so much damage to the roof that I currently keep my vehicle parked instead of using it. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11512975

Incident

Jan 4, 2022

HEADLIGHTS GO OFF AND ON WHEN I MOVE THE TILT STEERING WHEEL, WHEN DRIVING OR SITTING STILL

NHTSA ID

11287236

Incident

Dec 4, 2019

Mileage

256,000 mi

SEAT BELTS UNBUCKLE BY THEMSELVES. THIS HAS HAPPENS WITH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS. DRIVER BUCKLE FAILURE IS MOST FREQUENT. ONE DAY IT WON'T HAPPEN THEN THE NEXT DAY IT WILL UNBUCKLE 5 TIMES IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. AFRAID THIS WILL HAPPEN DURING AN ACCIDENT. THE SEATBELT BUCKLE UNBUCKLES STALL SPEEDS UNDER ANY DRIVING CONDITION.

NHTSA ID

11283085

Incident

Dec 1, 2019

Mileage

200,000 mi

THE DIGITAL COMPASS AND TEMPERATURE DISPLAY IN THE UPPER CONSOLE BREAKS. I RELY ON THE DISPLAY TO PREVENT FROM CRASHING ON ICY ROADS. I HAVE LOOKED AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE SAME ISSUES, A WIRE COMING LOOSE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS INSTEAD OF CHARGING UP TO 400.00 FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART. IT ALMOST GOT ME KILLED, IM SURPRISED NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED.

NHTSA ID

11278496

Incident

Nov 11, 2018

Mileage

230,000 mi

THE PAINT ON THE HOOD BEGAN TO SLOWLY PEEL AWAY AN IS NOW IS VERY AWFUL I WAS JUST TOLD THAT FORD RECALLED MANY ON THE BAD PAINT I WAS NEVER AWARE OF THAT TILL LAST WEEK I WAS ADVISED TO WRITE AN FIND ABOUT THIS MATTER AND THAT FORD WOULD STAND BEHIND THAT.

NHTSA ID

11240256

Incident

Jul 1, 2008

ON MY WAY TO WORK THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED AND HAZZZARD LIGHTS NO BREAK LITES OR TURN SINGNALS THE FUSE PANEL WAS SMOKING AND COUSED A WRECK AT 60 MILES PER HOUR

NHTSA ID

11035981

Incident

Oct 9, 2017

Mileage

176,057 mi

SEATBELT DISCONNECTS INTERMITTENTLY, BUTTON DOESN'T ALWAYS FULLY POP BACK OUT WHEN BUCKLE IS ENGAGED

NHTSA ID

11030531

Incident

Sep 28, 2017

Mileage

187,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH COOPER DEAN MUD TERRAIN RADIAL SXT TIRES, SIZE: LT285/75R16. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AS IT SLOWED DOWN AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON THE TIRE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,086. *LN

NHTSA ID

11021737

Incident

Sep 1, 2017

Mileage

62,086 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A TIRES, SIZE: LT285/75R16 (NA). WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A SHUDDER IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT A BUMP, HEARD AN EXPLODING NOISE, AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE CONTACT PLANNED ON GIVING THE TIRE TO THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACEMENT TIRES. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,500 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,500.

NHTSA ID

10971204

Incident

Mar 28, 2017

Mileage

132,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS HEAVILY CORRODED. ALSO, THE FUEL STRAPS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 04/05/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID

10933860

Incident

Dec 5, 2003

Mileage

40,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH NITRO TIRES, TIRE LINE: TERRA GRAPPLE, AND TIRE SIZE: LT285/75/R16. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AS THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE THREAD ON THE TIRE HAD SEPARATED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITH A TOTAL OF FIVE TIRES MOUNTED IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 01/27/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED HE STARTED TO FEEL A BUMPING IN THE REAR AREA OF MY TRUCK, THEN A VIOLENT VIBRATION, THEN THE TIRE BLOWOUT OCCURRED/ ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AND DRY. UPDATED 9/5/18*JB

NHTSA ID

10924581

Incident

May 10, 2015

Mileage

105,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEED, THE SEAT BELT UNLATCHED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ID

10865673

Incident

May 15, 2006

Mileage

95,000 mi

WIFE PARKED THE TRUCK RUNNING AT THE TOP OF A SLOPED DRIVEWAY NEAR OUR FARM HOUSE, LEFT THE TRUCK RUNNING AND IN PARK, GOT OUT TO RETRIEVE A FORGOTTEN ITEM, WALKED DOWNHILL 75 FT., AFTER A SHORT TIME TURNED TO SEE THE TRUCK SPEED BY BACKWARDS NEARLY HITTING HER. THE TRUCK RAMMED THE CARPORT CORNER CONCRETE SUPPORT, JUMPED A TWO FOOT ROCK WALL AND CAME TO REST AGAINST A THREE FOOT DIAMETER BIRCH TREE. TRUCK EVALUATED AS TOTAL LOSS. A MASTER MECHANIC BROUGHT TO HELP GET THE TRUCK STARTED. DAMAGE ONLY TO REAR BUT WOULD NOT START. BATTERY PLATES HAD SHORTED DUE TO THE THREE SEVERE JOLTS. THE MECHANIC ALSO NOTED THE STEERING COLUMN BOLTS AND SCREWS SEEMED QUITE LOOSE. THE TRUCK WAS STARTED BUT MOVED TO THE BODY SHOP BY A TOW TRUCK SINCE THE REAR BREAK LINE WAS SEVERED. AFTER TOTALING THE VEHICLE THE INSURANCE COMPANY SOLD THE TRUCK BACK TO ME FOR $5100. I GOT THE TRUCK REPAIRED. TODAY I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER TO CHECK THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FORD TECHNICIAN NOTED THE SEVERITY OF THE LOOSE STEERING COLUMN, REPLACED A COUPLE BUSHINGS, TIGHTENED BOLTS AND SCREWS, AND TESTED THE VEHICLE. HE SPECIFICALLY NOTED, IN WRITING, THE TRUCK WOULD NOT RELIABLY STAY IN THE SELECTED GEAR. I PAID FORD $259 FOR THE STEERING COLUMN WORK. THE FORD SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME WHEN I SCHEDULED THE WORK THAT TWO OTHER VEHICLES HAD JUST COME IN THE SAME DAY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TRUCK CAME OUT OF PARK ON ITS OWN AND WHEN ROLLING BACKWARDS BARELY MISSED MY WIFE. SHE COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY KILLED. BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT, IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME TO TAKE THE TRUCK INTO FORD FOR A CHECK OF THE STEERING COLUMN AFTER 13 YEARS BUT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN SMARTER. I BRING THIS UP TO YOU FOR REVIEW BECAUSE THERE COULD BE LOTS MORE OF THESE VEHICLES OUT THERE THAT COULD KILL SOMEONE IF THEY SUDDENLY SLIP OUT OF GEAR AND ROLL. I HAVE A COPY OF THE FORD SERVICE PAPERWORK FROM TODAY.

NHTSA ID

10791590

Incident

Oct 10, 2015

Mileage

113,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRACKET THAT SECURED THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE WAS LOOSE WHICH ALLOWED THE LEVER TO GO INTO DIFFERENT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10733220

Incident

Jul 9, 2015

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS INDEPENDENTLY UNLATCHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID

10722329

Incident

Jun 1, 2009

Mileage

70,000 mi

MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE 2 FORD F350S THAT CAME WITH GENERAL TIRES OF THE 12 TIRES WE HAVE HAD 5 BLOW OUTS, THE MOST RECENT WAS 4/23/2015 ON I-80, IN WHICH MY TRUCK SUSTAINED OVER 2500.00 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE. JUST WONDERING IF WE ARE LUCKY OR IF GENERAL TIRE COMPANY IS JUST TRYING TO KILL PEOPLE. THE TIRES ARE 235X85X16 LOAD RANGE E AND ALL HAD SUBSTANTIAL TREAD WHEN THEY BLEW. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10713251

Incident

Aug 15, 2007

Mileage

50,000 mi

THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER CABLE FAILED AND DROPPED THE SPARE ON THE GROUND WHICH BOUNCED AND CAUGHT THE REAR BUMPER. NO DAMAGE DUE TO THE SLOW SPEED I WAS TRAVELING AT THE TIME, BUT THIS PART HAS SINCE BEEN REDESIGNED AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. NEW P/N IS 6C3Z-1A131-AA. *TR

NHTSA ID

10693132

Incident

Jun 2, 2014

Mileage

210,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE WATER PUMP STARTED TO LEAK. THIS CAUSED THE SERPENTINE BELT TO BECOME WET AND SLIPPED OFF THE PULLEYS WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLES BRAKES AND POWER STEERING TO FAIL. I QUESTIONED THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE FORD DEALER(HENRY DAY FORD) IN WEST VALLEY UTAH AND THEY ADVISED THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF THE PROBLEM. TO ME THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY HAZARD FOR OCCUPANTS AND COULD BE A LIABILITY FOR FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10651716

Incident

Sep 6, 2011

Mileage

147,230 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, WHITE SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINES BELOW THE ENGINE TURBO HAD RUPTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ID

10641995

Incident

Oct 5, 2014

Mileage

175,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

NHTSA ID

10638631

Incident

Feb 13, 2003

Mileage

3,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL SPOKE BECAME FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL TO CRACK. THE WHEEL WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE TIRE BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

NHTSA ID

10625951

Incident

Aug 13, 2014

Mileage

137,000 mi