EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
2002 Ford F-550 Sd
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 22 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Ford F-550 Sd, most frequently naming the fuel system, engine and brakes categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 48 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| May 2002 | 1 | 1 |
| Oct 2002 | 1 | 2 |
| Feb 2003 | 1 | 3 |
| Apr 2003 | 1 | 4 |
| Jan 2005 | 1 | 5 |
| Mar 2005 | 1 | 6 |
| Jun 2005 | 1 | 7 |
| Dec 2005 | 1 | 8 |
| May 2006 | 1 | 9 |
| Jun 2006 | 1 | 10 |
| Dec 2006 | 1 | 11 |
| Apr 2008 | 1 | 12 |
| Sep 2008 | 1 | 13 |
| Nov 2008 | 1 | 14 |
| Jan 2009 | 1 | 15 |
| Apr 2009 | 1 | 16 |
| Nov 2009 | 1 | 17 |
| Jun 2010 | 1 | 18 |
| Dec 2011 | 1 | 19 |
| May 2012 | 1 | 20 |
| May 2014 | 1 | 21 |
| Jan 2020 | 1 | 22 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Fuel system1032.3%
- Engine516.1%
- Brakes39.7%
- Electrical39.7%
- Tires & wheels26.5%
- Steering26.5%
- Suspension26.5%
- Exterior lighting13.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
5 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEELS:HUB
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
ENGINE STALLING
IN A DECEMBER 3, 2007 LETTER, FORD ADVISED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE CAM POSITION SENSOR (CPS) IN APPROXIMATELY 1.2 MILLION SUBJECT VEHICLES TO ADDRESS REPORTS OF ENGINE STALLING.A NEW DESIGN CPS WITH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY WILL BE INSTALLED AS A REMEDY.OWNER NOTIFICATIONS WILL BEGIN IN DECEMBER 2007. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE DURABLE, FULL-SIZED, MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, RESCUE/EMERGENCY RESPONSE, AND COMMERCIAL OR RECREATIONAL TOWING.CPS FAILURE IS COMPARABLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY TURNING THE KEY OFF SINCE THE SIGNAL IT PRODUCES IS VITAL TO THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM.CPS SIGNAL LOSS TERMINATES FUEL INJECTION RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.ONCE STALLED, THE ENGINE MAY RESTART RIGHT AWAY, OR MAY RESTART AFTER A DELAY (TYPICALLY 5 TO 10 MINUTES), OR MAY NOT RESTART AT ALL.IN ADDITION TO EXPOSING THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS TO CRASH RISK DUE TO LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER OR VEHICLE DISABLEMENT, ENGINE STALLING ALSO EFFECTS THE POWER ASSISTED STEERING AND BRAKING. THROUGH CONSUMER INTERVIEWS, ODI DETERMINED THAT CPS FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY FORM OF WARNING, AT ANY VEHICLE SPEED (50% AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS), AND UNDER ANY DRIVING CONDITION, SUCH AS ACCELERATING.CONSUMERS REPORTED THAT ABOUT A THIRD OF THE VEHICLES FAILED TO RESTART, WITH ANOTHER THIRD REPORTING DELAYED RESTARTING.HALF THE VEHICLES THAT DID RESTART EXPERIENCED ANOTHER STALL ON THE SAME OR A SUBSEQUENT DRIVE CYCLE (BEFORE CPS REPLACEMENT) RE-EXPOSING THOSE CONSUMERS TO THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH A STALLING EVENT.IN THEIR VOQ REPORTS, HALF OF THE ODI COMPLAINANTS DESCRIBED DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE DUE TO LOSE OF POWER ASSIST SYSTEMS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO WERE TOWING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE ONE ALLEGED INJURY INCIDENT OCCURRED IN AN INTERSECTION WHEN A SUBJECT VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TURNING ACROSS ONCOMING LANES OF TRAFFIC.ALTHOUGH UNSUBSTANTIATED, THE COMPLAINANT ALLEGED AN INJURY TO A CHILD OCCUPANT DURING ODI'S INTERVIEW.THE OTHER CRASH ALLEGATIONS MOSTLY INVOLVED LOW SPEED, LOSS OF CONTROL INCIDENTS OFTEN CAUSED BY LACK OF POWER ASSIST; NO INJURIES ARE REPORTED IN THESE INCIDENTS, AND PROPERTY DAMAGE, IF ANY, WAS MINIMAL.CONSUMERS ALSO REPORTED OTHER INCIDENTS WITH SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISKS, SUCH AS DISABLEMENT IN A LANE OR ON A SHOULDER OF A HIGH-SPEED ROADWAY OR INTERSTATE, OR EXTENDED DISABLEMENT IN REMOTE AREAS DURING SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE POPULATION ABOVE IS FORD'S ESTIMATE OF THE 1.4 MILLION SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED THAT ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED.THE FORD COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY COUNTS NOTED ABOVE ARE CURRENT AS OF FORD'S LAST SUBMISSION DATED JUNE 21, 2007; THEY DO NOT INCLUDE F-450, F-550, OR ECONOLINE COUNTS AS THESE PRODUCTS WERE NOT FORMALLY WITHIN SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION WHEN FAILURE INFORMATION WAS REQUESTED.WARRANTY DATA ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT ABOUT HALF THE CLAIMS INVOLVED A STALL WHILE DRIVING EVENT ( FORD'S ASSESSMENT) AND THAT POOR CPS DURABILITY WAS A LONGSTANDING CONCERN.FORD REPORTED THAT THE NEW CPS DESIGN SHOULD MEET OR EXCEED THEIR 10 YEAR, 150K MILE LIFE EXPECTANCY DESIGN REQUIREMENT.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD?S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A VACUUM THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE SCDS TO FAIL AND, IN CERTAIN SWITCH INSTALLATION ORIENTATIONS, CATCH FIRE.FORD IS ALSO INCLUDING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF 1998 EXPLORERS.FORD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURES IN THE 1998 EXPLORERS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE FACTORS CAUSING SCDS FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT CORRELATE WELL WITH THE OBSERVED FAILURE RATES ON THESE VEHICLES BY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE NON-RECALLED VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITH SCDS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN FORD?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE NON-RECALLED POPULATION FOR INCIDENCE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT FOR DETAILS.
ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (ETC)
FAILURE COUNTS FROM ODI?S ANALYSIS ARE STATED ABOVE; SEE THE ADDITIONAL PROBLEM EXPERIENCE DISCUSSION IN THE SUMMARY REPORT.FORD DATA CONTAINED DUPLICATIVE REPORTS FOR 4 ODI COMPLAINTS AND 1 CRASH.THREE CRASHES WERE ALLEGEDLY DUE TO INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) PEDAL, ONE CRASH OCCURRED WHEN AN ETC DISABLED VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER MOTORIST, ONE REPORT CONTAINED NO DETAIL.THE INJURIES WERE MINOR.AN ISSUE INVOLVING FIXED ETC PEDALS WAS INVESTIGATED ALSO, HOWEVER FAILURE REPORTS AND POPULATIONS ARE NOT SHOWN ABOVE; SEE SUMMARY REPORT FOR DETAIL.ALTHOUGH FORD HAS USED ETC BASED THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR MANY YEARS, THE PAP FEATURE WAS NEW FOR MY 2002.THE SUBJECT ETC SENSOR PRODUCES TWO OUTPUT SIGNALS WHICH THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EMS) UTILIZES TO:1) DETERMINE FUELING REQUIREMENTS; AND 2) PERFORM SENSOR DIAGNOSTICS.ONE SIGNAL IS LINEARLY PROPORTIONAL TO THROTTLE PEDAL POSITION; THE SECOND IS A DIGITAL SIGNAL.BY DESIGN, THE DETECTION OF A SENSOR FAULT RESULTS IN THE ENGINE RETURNING TO (OR REMAINING AT) THE IDLE STATE.FORD IDENTIFIED A DEFECT IN THE PAP ETC SENSOR WHICH PREMATURELY AFFECTED AN OUTPUT SIGNAL; THE MIGRATION OF INTERNAL SENSOR LUBRICANT CAUSED A LOSS OF PROPORTIONAL SIGNAL.THE FAILURE MECHANISM IS PROGRESSIVE AND AS THE SENSOR DETERIORATES, THE EMS WILL DETECT A FAULT, STORE A FAULT CODE, ILLUMINATE A WARNING LAMP, AND THE ENGINE MAY REMAIN AT/RETURN TO IDLE.IN THE EARLY STAGES, NORMAL OPERATION CAN BE REGAINED BY PEDAL RE-APPLICATION.THE FAILURE PROGRESSES UNTIL THE ENGINE REMAINS AT IDLE.THE ENGINE DOES NOT STALL, POWER ASSISTED STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEMS ARE UNAFFECTED. FORD CORRECTED THE ETC SENSOR DEFECT AND CONDUCTED FIELD SERVICE ACTION (FSA) 03B03 TO REPLACE ETC PEDALS, ADDRESSING 50% OF VEHICLES.AT AGENCY REQUEST TO IMPROVE COMPLETION RATE, FORD EXTENDED FSA 03B03 FOR 6 MONTHS.BASED ON ODI'S ANALYSIS OF AVAILABLE DATA, FORD'S ACTION HAS APPROPRIATELY RESOLVED THE ETC SENSOR PROPLEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE CLOSING OF THE INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS HAVING ANY PRECEDENTIAL VALUE OR EFFECT BINDING THE AGENCY IN FUTURE DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS. SEE THE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
CONNECTOR #270B MELTED AT CENTRAL JUNCTION CONNECTOR. VEHICLE WAS BOTH IN MOTION AND PARKED
- NHTSA ID
- 11301112
- Incident
- Dec 18, 2019
- Mileage
- 25,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-550 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THICK WHITE SMOKE WAS SEEN FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. DURING THE INCIDENT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND SHOULDER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10588420
- Incident
- May 6, 2014
- Mileage
- 212,000 mi
2002 FORD F550 FLATBED TRUCK. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ALL OF THE TIRES WERE DRY ROTTED, TO THE POINT THEY COULD NOT BE RE-TREADED. THE REAR BRAKES AND WHEEL SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL SENDING ASSEMBLY FAILED, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 1251.46. THE UPPER SHOCKS WERE RUSTED, THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND MARKER ASSEMBLY WERE BROKEN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE PASSED DOT INSPECTION. *JB
- NHTSA ID
- 10458366
- Incident
- May 1, 2012
DRIVING VEHICLE, VEHICLE LOST POWER. DRIVER JUST MADE IT OFF THE ROAD. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. BEING TOLD THAT THE FUEL TANK IS DE-LAMINATING. THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE FUEL SYSTEM. TOTAL COST $3,500.00. CALLED FORD, THEY ARE SAYING THERE IS NO KNOWN PROBLEM. WHEN I DO A GOOGLE SEARCH SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ARE POSTED ON DIFFERENT SITES ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH SEVERAL YEARS ARE AFFECTED. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10438085
- Incident
- Nov 29, 2011
FORD F550 TRUCK HAS FUEL TANK PROBLEM. FUEL LINES, PUMP, FILTER & INJECTORS GETTING CLOGGED DUE TO FLAKING ON THE INSIDE OF THE TANK. ISSUE BLAMED ON POOR DIESEL FUEL, BUT HAVE RESEARCHED SEVERAL OTHER CASES ALL REPORTING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. FORD IS TAKING NO RESPONSIBILITY. TRUCK WILL LOSE POWER AND STALL WHILE DRIVING. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10336451
- Incident
- Jun 11, 2010
- Mileage
- 142,000 mi
VEHICLE HAD LOSS OF POWER AND RAN ROUGH. FINALLY VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. THE CULPRIT WAS THE FORD FUEL TANK THAT HAD DELAMINATED. THE TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST: $1600.00. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF REVENUE AS THIS VEHICLE IS USED FOR PRODUCTION PURPOSES. FORD DENIED RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DEFECTS OF THEIR FUEL TANKS. WITH NO OTHER CHOICE, WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THESE VEHICLES ARE USED FOR COMMERCIAL USAGE DAILY. THIS IS ALSO A FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT HAS BEEN FORCED ONTO US UNFAIRLY. THEY NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL THESE FUEL TANKS. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10293021
- Incident
- Oct 28, 2009
- Mileage
- 60,507 mi
SERVICING DEALER JUST ADVISED THAT THE DIESEL FUEL TANK IS DELAMINATING FROM THE INSIDE AND CAUSING FUEL LINE, FUEL FILTER, AND FUEL INJECTOR CLOGGING. ALTHOUGH WE ALWAYS USED CLEAN DIESEL ONLY, DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT SAY WHAT CAUSED PROBLEM BUT WELL AWARE OF IT. QUOTED $3,500.00 TO REPLACE FUEL TANK AND SENDING UNIT. OUTRAGEOUS. ESPECIALLY WHEN CAUSING STALLING AND LOSS OF POWER DURING DRIVING AND POSSIBLY CAUSING ACCIDENT. FOUND LOTS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THROUGH INTERNET SEARCH. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10266445
- Incident
- Apr 1, 2008
- Mileage
- 108,280 mi
MY 2002 FOR F 550 WAS DRIVING AND LOST POWER IN TRAFFIC EVENTUALLY LOSING POWER AND STALLING IN TRAFFIC ON A VERY BUSY ROAD. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSIDE OF THE GAS TANK WAS DELAMINATING WHICH CAUSED A FAILURE IN THE GAS TANK, FAILURE IN THE SENDING UNIT,THE FAILURE IN THE FUEL PUMP,AND THE FAILURE OF THE FILTERS. FORD HAS ALSO ADVISED ME OF POSSIBLE DESTROYED FUEL INJECTORS. FORD TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT IN THE FUEL TANK. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10255096
- Incident
- Jan 11, 2009
- Mileage
- 36,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
EQUIPMENT
This SKU is a Spare Tire Hoist. Test results identified that the pull force parameter was not within specification, as a precautionary measure unsold inventory was requested to be returned for testing and containment. We don't have evidence that these test results have contributed to a product failure.
EQUIPMENT
This SKU is a Spare Tire Hoist. Test results identified that the pull force parameter was not within specification, as a precautionary measure unsold inventory was requested to be returned for testing and containment. We don't have evidence that these test results have contributed to a product failure.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Some 2002-2008 F-Super Duty, F-150 and Mark LT vehicles may exhibit concern during or after programing the VSM. The programming may fail or vehicle symptoms such as inoperative door locks, dome lamps, door ajar indicators or auto lamps may occur after successful programing. To ensure the VSM is configured correctly, use the Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) scan tool and select the blue ball and socket icon in the upper left corner. Select the utility knife in the bottom left corner. Select Update/Special Function and enter 53061 in the blue box then press the tick mark. The screen will go back to the system utilities page. Navigate to the toolbox tab and run the Programmable Module Installation (PMI) on the VSM. The procedure will prompt you to manually enter the as-built into the VSM. Obtain the as-built data from PTS > OASIS > As-Built.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
FORD: THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM) WHEN USING VCM II, WOULD HAVE AN ERROR CODE 35 AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) B1035, AND DIFFICULTY ATTEMPTING PROGRAMMABLE MODULE INSTALLATION (PMI). MODEL 2001-2004 F-SUPER DUTY. *PE
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
1999-2008 F250-F550 SUPER DUTY 4X4 WITH ELECTRONIC SHIFT TRANSFER CASE NOT ENGAGING 4X4. *NJ
POWER TRAIN
DRIVE AWAY SHUDDER OR VIBRATION. *EH
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 9 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 9 | 12 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 75.3 |
| 2020 | 4 | 8 | 2 | — |
| 2019 | 4 | 5 | 1 | — |
| 2018 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 2017 | 2 | 8 | 1 | — |
| 2016 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 2015 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 60.9 |
| 2014 | 9 | 6 | 1 | — |
| 2013 | 2 | 9 | 1 | — |
| 2012 | 6 | 10 | 2 | — |
| 2011 | 3 | 12 | 1 | — |
| 2010 | 1 | 7 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 1 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 2008 | 26 | 4 | 0 | 48.1 |
| 2007 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 45.5 |
| 2006 | 44 | 2 | 0 | 44.5 |
| 2005 | 32 | 5 | 0 | 43.2 |
| 2004 | 49 | 3 | 1 | 55.7 |
| 2003 | 33 | 5 | 3 | 63.3 |
| 2002Viewing | 22 | 5 | 3 | 60.0 |
| 2001 | 29 | 7 | 7 | 61.7 |
| 2000 | 72 | 6 | 4 | 61.8 |
| 1999 | 61 | 9 | 4 | 57.1 |
| 1998 | 0 | 2 | 2 | — |
| 1997 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 1996 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1995 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1994 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1993 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.