2002 Ford F-150

● Typical for this model
2002 Ford F-150
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford F-150 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1984: 2 complaints 1984 1987: 2 complaints 1989: 14 complaints 1990: 21 complaints 1991: 304 complaints 1992: 470 complaints 1992 1993: 586 complaints 1994: 676 complaints 1995: 626 complaints 1996: 324 complaints 1997: 2758 complaints 1997 1998: 1381 complaints 1999: 1044 complaints 2000: 1074 complaints 2001: 1236 complaints 2002: 820 complaints 2002 2003: 421 complaints 2004: 2027 complaints 2005: 1112 complaints 2006: 584 complaints 2007: 487 complaints 2007 2008: 368 complaints 2009: 324 complaints 2010: 840 complaints 2011: 2179 complaints 2012: 1771 complaints 2012 2013: 2956 complaints 2014: 1497 complaints 2015: 1638 complaints 2016: 1976 complaints 2017: 1379 complaints 2017 2018: 2218 complaints 2019: 1270 complaints 2020: 677 complaints 2021: 934 complaints 2022: 554 complaints 2022 2023: 382 complaints 2024: 178 complaints 2025: 97 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
2002: 820 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19842
19872
198914
199021
1991304
1992470
1993586
1994676
1995626
1996324
19972758
19981381
19991044
20001074
20011236
2002820
2003421
20042027
20051112
2006584
2007487
2008368
2009324
2010840
20112179
20121771
20132956
20141497
20151638
20161976
20171379
20182218
20191270
2020677
2021934
2022554
2023382
2024178
202597
20263

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 94 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10%

10% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 78 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 71 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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 DONE

NHTSA ODI report, 20180308

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, 20120319

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8%

8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 66 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20171114

Systems failed. Recalls incomplete

NHTSA ODI report, 20231122

ENGINE 8%

8% of complaints: engine — 66 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20050322 — EA (closed 20060802)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20050912 — vehicle speed control

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 CONTRO

Campaign 05V388000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

R 20060614 — exterior lighting

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 CON

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.

Campaign 06E052000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060728 — exterior lighting

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 CONFOR

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.

Campaign 06E067000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060731 — exterior lighting

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 RE

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.

Campaign 06E065000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060804 — fuel system, gasoline

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 DESIGN

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.

Campaign 06E056000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070905 — equipment

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 TRAILE

Remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

Campaign 07E066000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081217 — exterior lighting

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 WITH

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.

Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20110504 — EA (closed 20110819)

Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion

R 20110912 — fuel system, gasoline

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), AND

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 THIS

Campaign 11V385000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Ford F-150 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (94 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (78 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (71 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 05V388000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E052000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E067000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E065000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E056000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E066000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2025 ▲ 2024 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 1997 ■ 2018

See all years ranked →

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 11% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Ford F-150 have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.