2002 Ford E-350 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine And Engine Cooling (8) · Tires:tread/Belt (5) · Fuel System, Diesel (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford E-350 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
41 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (19)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Steering 2018-04-06 · DOR-X8B9R-11 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sku is a front upper ball joint. the customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. excessive friction in the ball joint assembly may cause a perceptible increase in steering effort.
Service Brakes, Air 2007-09-19 · 071110 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
brake booster system may exhibit a brake pedal kickback and/or grabbing condition when applying the brakes. *nj
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2006-12-01 · 19527 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
headlight adjustment needed. *kb
Structure:frame And Members 2005-11-14 · 0511 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
cracks in the left or right spring tower flange. *tt spring tower weld repair and replacement procedure. *tt
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2005-07-01 · 18735 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
headlight adjustment - chassis cab incomplete vehicles. *tt
Electrical System 2005-02-07 · 032306 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
diagnostic trouble code b1876, b1880, b1915 and/or b1920 in the ecs module - vehicles equipped with aftermarket high current devices. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 19 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-09-06 · Engine · 114,000 mi“head on vehicle stripped because of the way it is made. there was a recall on regular e350 but mine is an rv. it was in motion when the spark plug popped out while driving down the highway on i-65 in birmingham alabama.…”
2017-09-26 · Unknown Or Other“this 350 econoline, 8cyl., extended body van was purchased new, and i am the original owner. the vehicle has only 120k miles on it since 2002. beginning several years ago, my mechanic complained of severe frame erosion, having had to reinforce and re-weld several parts back onto the frame, including but not limited to the brackets which support…”
2015-08-31 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 240,000 mi“while traveling on an interstate highway, the van started showing symptoms of fuel starvation and with the family and a semi on my bumper things got quite hairy and started and argument with my wife! i exited the highway and put clean diesel fuel and fuel additive to get me back home; this did not work as the van acted up again several miles down t…”
2015-07-15 · Tires:tread/Belt · 108,362 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford e-350 equipped with michelin lt24575r16 tires, size: 245/756/16 (na). while driving approximately 55 mph, the contact felt vibrations from the front tires. the contact noticed that the tread from the front passenger side tire was separated. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified and…”
2015-02-23 · Engine · 60,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford e-350. the contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle was not able to restart. the failure recurred on several occasions. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 60,000. …”
2014-01-16 · Engine · 110,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford e-350. the contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. the failure recurred three times over a period of four years. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnosis or repairs. the manufacturer was made aware …”
2013-01-16 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch · 150,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford e-350. the contact stated that the turn signals and hazard lights would not illuminate. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. the technician advised the contact that the turn signal switch would have to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 150,000. …”
2012-09-20 · Suspension · 80,000 mi“truck wobbling to the point of almost wrecking...was told it was wheelbearing,rotors,tierod ect. i now realize ford has a problem with the trucks regarding uncontrollable shaking , it is very scary when this happens. i also owned a 2003 and 2004 had to sell them because the turbo kept blowing off and fuel injectors were clogged. i am so disappoint…”
2011-12-29 · Structure:body · 65,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford e350 super duty. the contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the front end of the frame fractured into two pieces, causing the contact to crash into a barrier on the interstate. the vehicle was destroyed and towed to a private mechanic who confirmed that the a frame was fractured and caused the failure. the man…”
2011-09-13 · Fuel System, Diesel“2002 ford e-350. s10 direct reply-request financial assistance related to the repairs of his truck due to the federal grant mandated chemical additives to diesel fuel, chemical additives have caused the de-lamination of the fuel tank *tgw the consumer stated the loose laminate material damaged the fuel pump, fuel filter and fuel lines and prevente…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.