2002 Ford F-250

● Typical for this model
2002 Ford F-250
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:01:03.053Z

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-250 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 4 complaints 1991: 107 complaints 1992: 119 complaints 1993: 130 complaints 1994: 123 complaints 1994 1995: 184 complaints 1996: 176 complaints 1997: 304 complaints 1998: 56 complaints 1999: 581 complaints 1999 2000: 326 complaints 2001: 220 complaints 2002: 156 complaints 2002 2003: 116 complaints 2004: 153 complaints 2004 2005: 144 complaints 2006: 221 complaints 2007: 60 complaints 2008: 195 complaints 2009: 54 complaints 2009 2010: 73 complaints 2011: 248 complaints 2012: 266 complaints 2013: 95 complaints 2014: 142 complaints 2014 2015: 273 complaints 2016: 275 complaints 2017: 1082 complaints 2018: 382 complaints 2019: 1151 complaints 2019 2020: 253 complaints 2021: 158 complaints 2022: 116 complaints 2022
2002: 156 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
198911
19904
1991107
1992119
1993130
1994123
1995184
1996176
1997304
199856
1999581
2000326
2001220
2002156
2003116
2004153
2005144
2006221
200760
2008195
200954
201073
2011248
2012266
201395
2014142
2015273
2016275
20171082
2018382
20191151
2020253
2021158
2022116

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 8%

8% of complaints: engine — 12 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

As soon as the truck started, it popped out one of its spark plug. The truck started shaking and made a hollow noise and began to smoke and quickly caught on fire. The fire burned the entire truck.

NHTSA ODI report, 20220328

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD F-250. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS IN COLD TEMPERATURES AND CONNECTED TO THE BLOCK HEATER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190125

TIRES 6%

6% of complaints: tires — 9 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
TIRES 6%

6% of complaints: tires — 9 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 8 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS BACKING THE VEHICLE DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED AND DUE TO THE INCREASED ABILITY TO STEER OR BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO THE KINGPIN OF THE FIFTH WHEEL AND DAMAGED THE UPPER LEFT REAR FENDER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20021211

ON 03/16/2012 AT 10:30PM WHILE ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, I CAME TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN. TRUCK WAS RUNNING FINE. AS I PULLED AWAY FROM THE STOP SIGN AND ACCELERATING I HEARD A LOUD POP AND WHAT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXHAUST LEAK.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120318

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4%

4% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 7 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM THE MOTOR CONTINUED TO REV UNTIL THE CONSUMER SHUT THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF. (LARRY D.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030421

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20050322 — EA (closed 20060802)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

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 20060701 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE N

Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060807 — vehicle speed control

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05

Campaign 06V286000 — 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 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

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 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E052000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V286000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E066000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V352000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2009 ▲ 1998 ▲ 2007

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2017 ■ 1999

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Ford F-250 reliable?

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

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

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 8% of complaints on file.

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

7 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.