RoadVitals

2002 Ford F Series (heavy) 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.
7
Latest Dec 31, 2014
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
6
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.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Ford F Series (heavy), 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 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.

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 26, 2014

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 · filed Mar 12, 2011

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 26, 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 · filed Apr 4, 2014

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 23, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

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

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

#4 SPARKPLUG EJECTED *JS

NHTSA ID 10669423 · filed Dec 31, 2014

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 16, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

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

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT APPROX 40,150 MILES. *JB

NHTSA ID 10137564 · filed Sep 26, 2005

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

Data on this page last refreshed .