2002 Ford F-550 Sd Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Ford F-550 Sd, 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
- Fuel system1032.3%
- Engine516.1%
- Brakes39.7%
- Electrical39.7%
- Tires & wheels26.5%
- Steering26.5%
- Suspension26.5%
- Exterior lighting13.2%
- Body & structure13.2%
- Other / unspecified13.2%
- Powertrain (other)13.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
2002 FORD F550 ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
2002 F550'S POWER STEERING MECHANISM IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT BROKE OFF AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. *TS A VACUUM FOR THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES BROKE. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONNECTOR #270B MELTED AT CENTRAL JUNCTION CONNECTOR. VEHICLE WAS BOTH IN MOTION AND PARKED
2002 FORD F550 HAS PROBLEMS WITH OIL LEAKS, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SHORTS, BRAKE AND WHEELS FELL OFF.*MR THE VEHICLE ALSO CONSUMED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, WHICH CAUSED A TIRE BLOW OUT.*JB *TS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
2002 F550'S POWER STEERING MECHANISM IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT BROKE OFF AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. *TS A VACUUM FOR THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES BROKE. *NM
2002 FORD F550 HAS PROBLEMS WITH OIL LEAKS, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SHORTS, BRAKE AND WHEELS FELL OFF.*MR THE VEHICLE ALSO CONSUMED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F550 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED, WHICH WAS A RESULT OF A DEFECT REPAIR BY THE FONTAINE MODIFICATION COMPANY. THE COMPANY SENT NOTIFICATIONS TO THE VEHICLES THAT HAD A DEFECT WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ON THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND HE CALLED THE FONTAINE MODIFICATION COMPANY IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT. THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONTACT HAS CALLED AND WRITTEN LETTERS TO THE COMPANY SINCE THAT TIME, BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
BRACKET SUSPENSION FAILURE ALLOWS REAR END TO SHIFT OVER 6 - 8 INCHES PUNCTURING THE FUEL TANK AND RENDERING THE VEHICLE MOTIONLESS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRAME CRACKED ALL THE WAY FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK SHOCK. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. TS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
2002 FORD F550 HAS PROBLEMS WITH OIL LEAKS, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SHORTS, BRAKE AND WHEELS FELL OFF.*MR THE VEHICLE ALSO CONSUMED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FRONT AXLE TUBE IS BROKEN AND CRACKED THROUGH WHERE THE CENTERING SUPPORT ROD ATTACHES TO THE AXLE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT FELL DOWN ONTO THE CENTER LINK OF THE STEERING WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING TO BIND AND NOT TURN FREELY. THIS HAPPENED IN OUR CORPORATION YARD,BUT HAD IT HAPPENED ON THE ROAD IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND VERY PROBABLY PERSONAL INJURY. THERE IS NO IMPACT DAMAGE OF ANY KIND TO THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE OF GREAT MAGNITUDE. I INFORMED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY ARE LOOKING INTO IT. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .