MYRModel Year Report

2002 Ford F-150

● Typical for this model
2002 Ford F-150
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
821
Recalls
10

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

24% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 2 complaints 1984 1987: 2 complaints 1989: 14 complaints 1990: 21 complaints 1991: 306 complaints 1992: 479 complaints 1992 1993: 588 complaints 1994: 700 complaints 1995: 626 complaints 1996: 324 complaints 1997: 2,758 complaints 1997 1998: 1,381 complaints 1999: 1,044 complaints 2000: 1,076 complaints 2001: 1,236 complaints 2002: 821 complaints 2002 821 2003: 423 complaints 2004: 2,029 complaints 2005: 1,112 complaints 2006: 585 complaints 2007: 488 complaints 2007 2008: 369 complaints 2009: 324 complaints 2010: 843 complaints 2011: 2,188 complaints 2012: 1,781 complaints 2012 2013: 2,987 complaints 2014: 1,532 complaints 2015: 1,711 complaints 2016: 2,054 complaints 2017: 1,438 complaints 2017 2018: 2,307 complaints 2019: 1,325 complaints 2020: 732 complaints 2021: 1,014 complaints 2022: 592 complaints 2022 2023: 408 complaints 2024: 191 complaints 2025: 105 complaints 2026: 10 complaints 2027: 0 complaints 2027
1984: 2 complaints 1984 1987: 2 complaints 1989: 14 complaints 1990: 21 complaints 1990 1991: 306 complaints 1992: 479 complaints 1993: 588 complaints 1993 1994: 700 complaints 1995: 626 complaints 1996: 324 complaints 1996 1997: 2,758 complaints 1998: 1,381 complaints 1999: 1,044 complaints 1999 2000: 1,076 complaints 2001: 1,236 complaints 2002: 821 complaints 2002 821 2003: 423 complaints 2004: 2,029 complaints 2005: 1,112 complaints 2005 2006: 585 complaints 2007: 488 complaints 2008: 369 complaints 2008 2009: 324 complaints 2010: 843 complaints 2011: 2,188 complaints 2011 2012: 1,781 complaints 2013: 2,987 complaints 2014: 1,532 complaints 2014 2015: 1,711 complaints 2016: 2,054 complaints 2017: 1,438 complaints 2017 2018: 2,307 complaints 2019: 1,325 complaints 2020: 732 complaints 2020 2021: 1,014 complaints 2022: 592 complaints 2023: 408 complaints 2023 2024: 191 complaints 2025: 105 complaints 2026: 10 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints
1984: 2 complaints 1984 1987: 2 complaints 1989: 14 complaints 1989 1990: 21 complaints 1991: 306 complaints 1991 1992: 479 complaints 1993: 588 complaints 1993 1994: 700 complaints 1995: 626 complaints 1995 1996: 324 complaints 1997: 2,758 complaints 1997 1998: 1,381 complaints 1999: 1,044 complaints 1999 2000: 1,076 complaints 2001: 1,236 complaints 2002: 821 complaints 2002 821 2003: 423 complaints 2004: 2,029 complaints 2005: 1,112 complaints 2005 2006: 585 complaints 2007: 488 complaints 2007 2008: 369 complaints 2009: 324 complaints 2009 2010: 843 complaints 2011: 2,188 complaints 2011 2012: 1,781 complaints 2013: 2,987 complaints 2013 2014: 1,532 complaints 2015: 1,711 complaints 2015 2016: 2,054 complaints 2017: 1,438 complaints 2017 2018: 2,307 complaints 2019: 1,325 complaints 2019 2020: 732 complaints 2021: 1,014 complaints 2021 2022: 592 complaints 2023: 408 complaints 2023 2024: 191 complaints 2025: 105 complaints 2025 2026: 10 complaints 2027: 0 complaints 2027

2002: 821 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19842
19872
198914
199021
1991306
1992479
1993588
1994700
1995626
1996324
19972,758
19981,381
19991,044
20001,076
20011,236
2002821
2003423
20042,029
20051,112
2006585
2007488
2008369
2009324
2010843
20112,188
20121,781
20132,987
20141,532
20151,711
20162,054
20171,438
20182,307
20191,325
2020732
20211,014
2022592
2023408
2024191
2025105
202610
20270

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

24% · 197 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving the vehicle in reverse, to park the vehicle suffered sudden acceleration when shifted from driver into reverse vehicle collided with another car causing damage to his vehicle and other car. Dealer has been notified.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-11-19

Electrical system

13% · 110 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and interior/under dash.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The recall ie an inline fuse on speed control deactivation switch did not work it just caught on fire and ruined my master cylinder and brake system.it wont hold brake fluid now because the switch melted into it.Ford says oh well recalls been…

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-08

Also filed under Service brakes

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford F150. The contact was driving 35 MPH when the ignition caught on fire and melted the area where the ignition key was located. The contact merged onto the shoulder as the fire independently diminished.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-19

Also filed under Fuel system, gasoline

Vehicle speed control

11% · 87 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Got home from work parked my vehicle in my carport available space in my apartment. Turn off the truck completely, nothing left on or anything suspicious to cause a incident.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-14

Systems failed. Recalls incomplete

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-22

Also filed under Seat belts and service brakes

Engine

8% · 66 reports
CRASHFIRE

Fuel system, gasoline

8% · 65 reports

Most commonly citing mounting and tank assembly.

FIREINJURY

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2005-03-22Engineering analysisClosed 2006-08-02 Engine compartment fires
  2. R
    2005-09-12Vehicle speed control05V388000 On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.

    Remedy: By letter dated September 12, 2005, owners were instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected. Owners who have had their speed…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
  4. R
    2006-06-14Exterior lighting06E052000 Certain eagle eyes headlamps, p/nos. Fr208-B101R, FR208-B101L, FR208-B001R, and FR208-B001L, sold for use as replacement equipment for the passenger vehicles listed above. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabry lee will notify owners and offer full credit for any noncompliant headlamp. The recall is expected to begin on June 14, 2006. Owners may contact sabry lee account executive at 1-866-467-2279.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2006-07-28Exterior lighting06E067000 Certain maxzone headlight assemblies, depo brand, p/nos. 331-1129L-asn and 331-1129R-asn, sold for use as aftermarket equipment for the above listed passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Maxzone will notify owners and offer reimbursement for any noncompliant headlights. The recall began on July 28, 2006. Owners may contact maxzone at 909-822-3288.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2006-07-31Exterior lighting06E065000 Certain aj motorsport combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…

    Remedy: Aj motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the lamps. The recall began on July 31, 2006. Owners may contact aj motorsport at 626-618-2026.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2006-08-04Fuel system, gasoline06E056000 Certain aftermarket fuel filters sold under the purolator brand name, p/n F65277, shipped from January 16 through June 2, 2006, for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Due to incorrect…

    Remedy: Ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2006. Owners may contact ufi filters USA at 800-230-5876.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2007-09-05Equipment07E066000 Certain cequent 90 degree 7-way right angle adaptors sold by distributors in tow packages for aftermarket sales to tow 5TH wheel rv travel trailers. Due to incorrect wiring of the harness, the…

    Remedy: All of the defective tow packages are still at the distributor level and have not been sold to any consumers.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

    Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2011-05-04Engineering analysisClosed 2011-08-19 Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion
  13. R
    2011-09-12Fuel system, gasoline11V385000 Ford is recalling certain 1997 through 2003 model year Ford F-150, 2004 model year Ford F-150 heritage, 1997 through 1999 model year f-250 less than 8,500 lbs. Gross vehicle weight rating (Gvwr)…

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the fuel tank straps replaced with straps that have increased corrosion protection. Early in…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Ford F-150 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 197 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 110 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 87 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 05V388000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 06E052000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E067000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E065000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E056000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 07E066000 · Equipment
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 11V385000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Ford F-150 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Ford F-150 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford F-150?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford F-150 have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.