2002 Ford F-350 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Tires (12) · Vehicle Speed Control (6) · Steering (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford F-350 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
68 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 (31)
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
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum 2004-10-01 · 18223 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vacuum pump inoperative or runs continuously - climate control defaults to defrost. oasis. to also include 2005 super duty f-series, excursion, and f650/750. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 31 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-09-08 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“we were just driving when the truck started smoking and the brakes wouldn’t work. after a few minutes the truck completely caught on fire. …”
2025-06-23 · Structure:body“the frame at the leaf spring hangars has cracked apart at only 131,000 miles on the truck. this issue is becoming more and more common over the years it seems and comparable age trucks from other manufacturers are having this issue for the same age. …”
2024-03-21 · Tires“ [xxx] tire on passenger’s rear began to have significant vibration while towing 16,000 lb. fifth-wheel rv. stopped and visually/tactilely determined unusual wear pattern so went to commercial tire shop in pahrump, nv. their inspection determined tread separation rendering the tire unusable so we replaced it with a different brand. this is the …”
2024-03-21 · Tires“ [xxx] tire on driver's rear began to have significant vibration while towing 16,000 lb. fifth-wheel rv. stopped and visually/tactilely determined unusual wear pattern so went to commercial tire shop in pahrump, nv. their inspection determined tread separation rendering the tire unusable so we replaced it with a different brand. this is the sec…”
2023-03-21 · Structure:body“there has been intense rust and corrosion in the roof seams and welds. this has led to water leaks and damage to the interior of the vehicle. the integrity of the roof has been compromised, and i am concerned about the possibility of roof crush should there be an accident. not to mention the mold, rot and damage to the interior and electrical syste…”
2019-12-05 · Electrical System · 256,000 mi“headlights go off and on when i move the tilt steering wheel, when driving or sitting still…”
2019-12-01 · Seat Belts · 200,000 mi“seat belts unbuckle by themselves. this has happens with the driver and passenger seat belts. driver buckle failure is most frequent. one day it won't happen then the next day it will unbuckle 5 times in a short period of time. afraid this will happen during an accident. the seatbelt buckle unbuckles stall speeds under any driving condition.…”
2019-11-06 · Electrical System · 230,000 mi“the digital compass and temperature display in the upper console breaks. i rely on the display to prevent from crashing on icy roads. i have looked and thousands of people have same issues, a wire coming loose. ford needs to recall this instead of charging up to 400.00 for the replacement part. it almost got me killed, im surprised no one has be…”
2019-07-29 · Structure:body“the paint on the hood began to slowly peel away an is now is very awful i was just told that ford recalled many on the bad paint i was never aware of that till last week i was advised to write an find about this matter and that ford would stand behind that.…”
2017-10-23 · Vehicle Speed Control · 176,057 mi · 💥 crash · 🔥 fire“on my way to work the turn signals failed and hazzzard lights no break lites or turn singnals the fuse panel was smoking and coused a wreck at 60 miles per hour…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.