2002 Ford F Series problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (5) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (4) · Engine And Engine Cooling (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford F Series model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
31 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2008-12-29 · TB-08-258 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
jerr-dan: anti stall feature for ford f series light duty chassis with v10 gas engine and an engine drive clutch pump. model years unknown. *pe
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:exhaust System:emission Control:gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) 2004-06-01 · 02M01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
customer satisfaction program 02m01 supplement #4. certain ford 2000 through 2003 vehicles equipped with a tube-mounted egr pressure sensor - additional egr pressure sensor warranty coverage. *tt supplement #3. *mj supplement #6. *tt
Electrical System 2003-09-15 · 03181 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips. *tt
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2003-06-01 · 16891 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
clear gel-like substance in the hydraulic brake master cylinder reservoir. this substance is a silicone base lubricant used during assembly of the master cylinder. *tt
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2003-03-01 · 16683 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
false failure of the vapor management valve (vmv). *tt *jb
Showing the 6 most recent of 19 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-04-26 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i was driving my truck and it began vibrating; shortly thereafter it was running as if half the engine was working , with a loss of power. i pulled the fuel filter and there was trash all in the filter. i bought another filter and replaced it and ran the truck again and it was working fine. shortly thereafter the same thing happened again, loss …”
2015-01-14 · Engine · 119,000 mi“driving on the freeway a spark plug came out of the engine causing the vehicle to shake and loose power. the dealer and a shop i took the vehicle to stated that this is a frequent problem with this engine. *tr…”
2014-09-25 · Structure:body · 134,549 mi“while backing into my truck started making a load noise, it was obvious it was in the front end. trying to turn the steering wheel, it was stuck. stopped the truck, looked under the front of truck at steering, i noticed that there was a hole in the frame, it was then that i saw the steering link, against the right cv axle. the idler arm had some ho…”
2014-08-24 · Service Brakes · 190,000 mi“failure of the abs module has led to a near miss accident that was avoided via steering around the obstruction instead of braking. the obdii module is throwing code c1185 as a part of the failure of the abs controller.. *tr…”
2014-04-28 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal · 212,003 mi“gas petal sticks and when pushed on truck accelerates rapidly, this happens when starting out from a stop and during all driving. *js…”
2014-03-24 · Engine · 206,000 mi“was driving down the road at 35 mph and heard a pop then the engine started to run rough. took to the mechanic said that i had a blown spark plug. *tr…”
2014-02-27 · Vehicle Speed Control · 154,000 mi“throttle body linkage "plastic cover clamshell" cracked in half at plastic hinge (oxidized plastic) . loose plastic cover wedged open throttle fully causing "dangerous life threatening" driving stuck at full throttle. i have the cover and photos if you want me to send them. *tr…”
2014-01-29 · Engine · 180,000 mi“a spark plug ejected from the right side head of the engine head while running down the hwy at 60 mph. the head might be damaged. i haven't had a chance to get it fixed. been a ford truck guy all my life & i can't believe ford hasn't accepted any responsibility of any portion or kind for this. my estimated expense to repair this is $1,000 to $3,…”
2013-10-12 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 66,000 mi“spark plug ejected while driving on high way. this is the second time a plug has ejected. the first time the truck had 39000 miles, original factory torqued spark plugs. *tr…”
2013-08-15 · Engine · 192,000 mi“spark plug blew out of engine. this is the second time in a year on two different plugs. these are the original plugs. *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.