2002 Ford F-250 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (10) · Tires:tread/Belt (9) · Tires (9)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford F-250 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
97 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights 2011-07-13 · campaign 11V352000 · 26,715 vehicles
Defect: 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 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQU
Risk: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (33)
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.
Structure:body 2005-02-01 · 18406 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service tips before arc welding on the frame or body of a unit. *tt
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2005-01-01 · 18376 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
a cold weather reverse engagement stall. *tt
Electrical System 2004-12-31 · 0471 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
warning indicators-parking aid-reverse sensing system (rss) and forward sensing system (fss)-false activation of warning tone-service tips. *mj update. *tt
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2004-12-13 · 042107 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
general (pcm) power train control module programming procedures. *tt
Vehicle Speed Control 2004-12-13 · 042411 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
memontary return to idle during aggressive acceleration - diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0123. *tt
Suspension 2004-11-29 · 04236 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle lean sag when observed from rear of vehicle. *eh
Showing the 6 most recent of 33 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-06-02 · Engine · 109,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 ford f-150. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. no warning light was illuminated. the contact attempted to start the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. the contact stated that the vehicle started after several attempts. the contact stated the vehicle sat for a while before…”
2025-04-22 · Engine · 138,683 mi“the contact owns a 2002 ford f-250. the contact initially discovered patches of fluid on the garage floor. the vehicle was then taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. the dealer discovered a leak in the engine oil pan due to a faulty silicone gasket. the contact stated that the oil pan was replaced by the same dealer a year prior …”
2024-11-26 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 108,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 ford f-250. the contact stated that while the vehicle was being lifted onto a tow truck, fuel began to leak from the middle plastic made fuel tank. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank hoses were faulty. the mechanic determined that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. t…”
2023-11-20 · Service Brakes · 319,536 mi“the vehicle is equipped with adjustable brake and accelerator. the pedals should move up and down together. but the brake pedal is several inches higher causing a safety issue. …”
2023-09-27 · Seat Belts“both front driver and passenger seat belts will pop out of buckle while driving. this happens at any speed. …”
2023-06-20 · Steering · 💥 crash“while driving on a fairly rough highway i'm az, 180a, traveling about 50 mph over bumps and repaired cracks in the pavement, the steering wobbled and shook which did not seem far out of the ordinary on this particular stretch of highway. suddenly, without warning, the steering failed causing loss of control of the vehicle, the driver was unable to…”
2022-03-28 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“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. …”
2021-09-08 · Suspension · 175,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 ford f-250. the contact stated while driving 75 mph, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. the contact stated no warning light was illuminated. the contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and continued driving to his residence. the contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. the vehicle …”
2021-01-29 · Engine · 300,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford f-250. the contact stated that while the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle was restarted and driven to his destination. the contact stated that the failure was experienced on three separate occasions. the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. a dealer was n…”
2020-07-10 · Unknown Or Other · 302,000 mi“the emergency parking break does not work, i don't think it ever has. i have had it repaired twice over the years and it quickly quit both times. it feels like normal resistance when you push it in with your foot, and does a normal clunk and release when you release it, but it does not at all hold the truck in place. it is a manual transmission so …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.