RoadVitals

2002 Ford F Series (heavy)

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
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Latest Dec 31, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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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.
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Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Ford F Series (heavy), most frequently naming the fuel system, powertrain (other) and body & structure categories. 2 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system225.0%
  • Powertrain (other)225.0%
  • Body & structure112.5%
  • Engine112.5%
  • Steering112.5%
  • Transmission112.5%

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

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Dec 31, 2014

#4 SPARKPLUG EJECTED *JS

NHTSA ID
10669423
Incident
Jun 17, 2013
Mileage
70,500 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 26, 2014

ON 06/25/2014 I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY 7.3 LITRE DIESEL SOUTH ON RT. 81 IN SYRACUSE NY. AT EXIT 81 AND IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC WHEN I LOST ALL ENGINE POWER. THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON BUT WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR NOTHING HAPPENED. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT THE TRUCK WOULD NOT GO. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE INTENDING TO GO SOUTH ON 81 WITH A BARRIER ON MY LEFT AND NO SHOULDER TO ESCAPE TRAFFIC. I SIGNALED AND DRIFTED OVER TO THE RIGHT AND ENDED UP STOPPING IN AN AREA BETWEEN THE RT 81 LANE AND AN EXIT RAMP. WHILE DOING THIS I HAD SLOWED CONSIDERABLY AS THE TRUCK HAD NO POWER AND CARS AND TRUCKS BEHIND ME HAD TO SWERVE AND BRAKE ABRUPTLY TO AVOID STRIKING ME. THE AREA WHERE I FINALLY CAME TO REST WAS DIRECTLY BETWEEN THE TWO LANES WITHOUT ROOM ON EITHER SIDE. I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE TRUCK TO TRY TO EVALUATE THE SITUATION BUT TRAFFIC WAS TRAVELING WITHIN A FOOT OR TWO OF THE TRUCK. I CONTACTED AAA AND HAD TO WAIT IN THIS VERY HAZARDOUS POSITION FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES FOR A TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE. I HAD TO BE TOWED ALMOST 200 MILES TO MY HOME AFTER MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM HE STATED THAT IT WAS ONE OF OR POSSIBLY TWO SENSORS THAT HAD FAILED. THESE SENSORS CONTROLLED THE FUEL AND AIR FLOW TO THE ENGINE AND WHEN THEY FAILED IT REFUSED TO ALLOW THE ENGINE TO ACCELERATE NOT ALLOWING ME TO MOVE THE TRUCK. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO DESIGN A SENSOR THAT PROVIDES A WARNING OR A MEANS TO OVERRIDE THE SYSTEM IN ORDER FOR A DRIVER TO MAKE IT TO A POINT OF SAFETY. THIS SITUATION MIMICKED THE SAME SITUATION CAUSED BY GM CARS HAVING THEIR IGNITION SHUT OFF CAUSING DEATH AND SERIOUS INJURIES. I JUST HAPPENED TO BE VERY LUCK AS I NARROWLY MISSED BE STRUCK BY FAST MOVING TRACTOR TRAILERS AND CARS. HOPEFULLY SOMETHING CAN BE DONE BY FORD TO CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. MY WIFE AND I FEEL VERY LUCKY TO BE HOME SAFE TODAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10606185
Incident
Jun 25, 2014
Mileage
92,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 4, 2014

ENGAGE CLUTCH PEDAL AND CLUTCH PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THEY HAVE A PLASTIC BUSHING THAT GOES AROUND A STEEL BALL FITTING TO HOLD CLUTCH CABLE TO CLUTCH PEDAL. IT IS SO BAD I CARRY EXTRA PLASTIC BUSHINGS WITH ME IN CASE OF FAILURE. MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN I HAVE A FULLY LOADED TRUCK WITH CAMPER AND HORSE TRAILER IN TOE. I AM STUCK WITH A TRUCK STUCK IN GEAR AND NO WAY TO DISENGAGE CLUTCH. EVEN EMPTY THIS IS A SCARY UNCOMFORTABLE EXPERIENCE. THEY SHOULD HAVE A SOLID PIN FOR A CONNECTION NOT A CHEAP $5.00 PART THAT BREAKS EVERY 30,000 MILES. I HOPE THIS CAN BE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10577323
Incident
Jul 19, 2007
Mileage
84,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 12, 2011

SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT. # 2 PLUG PASSENGER SIDE.THIS HAPPENED YESTERDAY MARCH 11,2011. MY TRUCK HAS 37,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A FORD F-150, 7700 SERIES WITH A 5.4 ENGINE.WHERE IS THE RECALL ON THIS TRUCK.AFTER READING ALL THE PROBLEMS,WITH THE SAME THING. WHAT A SLAP IN THE FACE BY FORD. AND YET NO RECALL MANDATED BY THE FEDS. WHAT A COUNTRY WE LIVE IN? *TR

NHTSA ID
10389910
Incident
Mar 11, 2011
Mileage
37,400 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 26, 2005

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT APPROX 40,150 MILES. *JB

NHTSA ID
10137564
Incident
Sep 15, 2005
Mileage
40,150 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 16, 2005
Crash reported

THIS PROBLEM BEGAN WHEN THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP. WE DIDN'T FIND OUT THE REAL PROBLEM UNTIL ABOUT A FEW MONTHS AGO. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS NO FIX HAVE TO LEAVE WITH THE PROBLEM. WHEN YOU ARE GOING AT SLOW SPEEDS WITH THE VEHICLE YOU ARE UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THEY SAID ITS THE BOOSTER IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS DESIGNED THEY ONLY BUT ONE FOR THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING. SO WHEN YOU BRAKE AT ANYTIME YOU NO LONGER HAVE STEERING. THIS MEANS YOUR ANTILOCK BRAKES WILL NOT WORK. WE HAVE HAD A MINOR ACCIDENT NO ONE HURT AND NOT ENOUGH DAMAGE TO CLAIM. BUT THERE HAS BEEN MANY CLOSE CALLS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE WENT TO FORD AND THEY SAY LIVE WITH IT. LAWYERS SAY THERE IS A SUIT BUT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO HANDLE UNLESS A WRECK AND SOMEONE GETS HURT OR DIES THEN THEY WOULD CONSIDER THE CAUSE. EVEN THE WORKERS AT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS A SAFETY PROBLEM BUT FORD TOLD THEM NOT TO EVEN TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY COME IN BECAUSE THERE IS NO FIX. SINCE THIS MISDESINGED THEY HAVE RE-DESIGNED THE NEW 2003 TO HAVE 2 BOOSTER TO CONTROL ONE FOR THE BRAKES AND ONE FOR THE STEERING. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT WHERE SOMEONE GETS HURT. THANKS DENISE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10132994
Incident
Jul 7, 2005
Mileage
62,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 23, 2005

DT: CALLER SAYS THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRAMES ON 3 AMBULANCES; AND THEY WERE ADVISED TO REPORT THIS TO NHTSA. *AK

NHTSA ID
10121939
Incident
May 1, 2004
Mileage
117,232 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

CSP-48B01

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL; POWER TRAIN

FORD: VEHICLES MISTAKENLY CHARGED $100 POWERTRAIN WARRANTY DEDUCTIBLE FOR FUEL INJECTOR REPAIR OR REPAIRS. NO MODEL OR MODEL YEARS PROVIDED. *PE ECONOLINE, EXCURSION AND F-SERIES SUPER DUTY VEHICLES, MODEL YEARS 2002-2005. UPDATED 10/24/08. *PE CSC LETTER WAS RECEIVED. UPDATED 10/27/08. *PE

15448

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

EXHIBITING A SLIGHT BRAKE PULL TO THE RIGHT ON INITIAL BRAKE APPLICATION AND THEN A SLIGHT BRAKE PULL TO THE LEFT UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. *TT

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

Ford F Series (heavy) by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002Viewing700—
2000800—
1999500—
1995100—

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.