2002 Ford F-250 SD

◆ Worse than typical

2002 Ford F-250 SD
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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

2002: 245 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1991	1
1992	3
1993	4
1994	2
1995	9
1996	11
1997	39
1998	1
1999	249
2000	233
2001	288
2002	245
2003	178
2004	254
2005	295
2006	274
2007	54
2008	141
2009	23
2010	32
2011	122
2012	57
2013	21
2014	26
2015	23
2016	12
2017	73
2018	15
2019	10
2020	9
2021	5
2022	6
2023	43
2024	37
2025	15
2026	7

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 42%

42% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 104 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and diesel.

FIRE INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

DIESEL EMISSIONS ENTERING INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF 2001 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY V8-7.30.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040618

SERVICE BRAKES 13%

13% of complaints: service brakes — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 29 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and wiring.

FIRE INJURY

TIRES 11%

11% of complaints: tires — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

HAVE HAD 2 SETS OF BFGOODRICH 285/75/16 122R D TIRES THAT HAVE FAILED WITH SEPARATION PROBLEMS. THE FIRST SET THAT FAILED 05/11, WE HAD BLOWOUT ACCIDENT ON INTERSTATE CAUSING OVER $3000 DAMAGE TO DRIVER FRONT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150316

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6%

6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 245

I 20040223 — EA (closed 20050210)

ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (ETC)

I 20050322 — EA (closed 20060802)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20060622 — EA (closed 20071207)

ENGINE STALLING

R 20071229 — engine and engine cooling

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Campaign 07V553000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080207 — wheels

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

Campaign 07E106000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20091027 — vehicle speed control

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CO

Campaign 09V399000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20110815 — exterior lighting

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Campaign 11V352000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Ford F-250 SD — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (104 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes issues (32 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electrical system issues (29 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 07V553000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Verify recall 07E106000 (wheels) has been completed.
Verify recall 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
Verify recall 11V352000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2024 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2001 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Ford F-250 SD reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Ford F-250 SD is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford F-250 SD?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Ford F-250 SD have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.