2002 Ford Econoline problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (5) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (3) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Econoline model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (23)
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.
Power Train 2008-05-26 · CSP-48B01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: vehicles mistakenly charged $100 powertrain warranty deductible for fuel injector repair or repairs. no model or model years provided. *pe econoline, excursion and f-series super duty vehicles, model years 2002-2005. updated 10/24/08. *pe csc letter was received. updated 10/27/0
Structure:body:door 2007-09-18 · TSB T2007-03 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
merlin multiplex system when a proer/ground lug is not correctly tightened or becomes loose for any reason; erratic system operation is possible.
Fuel System, Diesel 2005-01-01 · 17467 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
engine or fuel system concerns when using fuel with greater than 5% biodiesel concentration. *tt
Electrical System 2004-09-06 · 04174 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated - system lean diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) - service tips. various models including 2004 f-series. *tt
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2004-09-01 · 17406 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
low power, poor fuel economy, fuel gelling cold, excessive white smoke cold, or hard start. *mj this oasis updates previous oasis dated 12/01/03. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 23 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2017-10-14 · Engine · 150,000 mi“left house for vacation, got 75 miles away at 60 mph on the freeway, and engine started making a popping sound. pulled off road and called a nearby mobile repair company. they sent out a mechanic, he diagnosed a blown out spark plug, and said this was common for the ford v-10. made it to his shop, and that's where it sits. estimates are over $40…”
2014-07-20 · Electrical System · 280,000 mi · 🔥 fire“ driving van on highway when van began smoking. then fire. everything was completely destroyed. *tr…”
2012-10-18 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 76,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford econoline e-150. the contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, he heard a loud, abnormal noise from the vehicle. after stopping the vehicle for further inspection, the contact discovered that the rear end of the fuel tank had detached from the vehicle. in addition, one of the fuel tank straps had becom…”
2012-07-16 · Engine · 98,000 mi“took the van to the store. upon returning from store started the van, there was a loud explosion as if a bomb went off. everyone looked because it was so loud. turned the van off and restarted it. it sounded like a drag car at the track, no exhaust system at all. took cow off and looked inside, found the spark plug with the boot laying on top of th…”
2012-05-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 96,517 mi“fuel pump failed while driving vehicle at freeway speeds on 101 south on the waldo grade approaching the golden gate bridge. vehicle lost power half way up the grade and slowed to 10 mph. limped vehicle to off ramp. i am an ase certified master mechanic, i also hold my california smog license. i've worked as a mechanic for 30 years. upon getting th…”
2011-06-13 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine · 117,519 mi“2002 ford van - blown spark plug. *tr…”
2010-01-11 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · 54,500 mi · 🔥 fire“tl*the contact owns a 2006 ford econoline(na). while driving and engaging the brake pedal, the warning light came. there was also noise under the hood of his vehicle. the contact stated that the anti lock brake system suddenly caught fire. he turned the vehicle off and waited for an hour to restart it; however, when he attempted to drive smoke a…”
2009-06-03 · Tires · 64,190 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford econoline. the vehicle has b.f. goodrich commercial ta all terrain tires. the contact stated that all four tires experienced tread separation. the tires were purchased in june of 2007 and have been on the vehicle for a little less than two years. the manufacturer referred the contact to an authorized warranty rep…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.