2002 Ford F Series (Light) problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:radiator Assembly (4) · Engine (3) · Suspension:rear:axle:spindle (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford F Series (Light) 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 (2)
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:gasoline 2002-01-01 · 15517 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
subject regarding exaggerated engine braking on deceleration. *yd
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System 2001-11-01 · 15398 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles may exhibit a coolant leak due to a broken radiator hose clamp. *tt
What owners report
2018-07-06 · Engine · 90,000 mi“we purchased a car from nab autos in fredericksburg, va. after the 7th day of driving it, the motor blew up. wrong spark plugs were installed by dealer. also the truck had been raced with nitrous which we were unaware of until we tried to find out what happened to motor. i have documentation from the repair shop. my 18 year old son drives this vehi…”
2014-07-28 · Structure · 76,000 mi“cross frame member which contains the transmission mount was extremely rusted out and cracked. state safety inspection rep indicated it would not pass inspection in the near future. ford no longer manufactures the frame member. i was lucky after a long search to find a dealer which still had the part available. part # is: xl3z6a023ca. the vehi…”
2014-07-15 · Engine · 150,000 mi“spark plug failure as accelerating from a stop light, and engine problem resulting from 7 cylinder operation. got it to a mechanic and he was able to sleeve the spark plug thread and install a new plug. now the same is starting again. i am taking the vehicle to the mechanic to make permanent repairs for all the spark plug. this may end up with the …”
2013-07-22 · Engine · 66,000 mi“oil leaking passenger side rear on to the starter and exhaust system. *tr…”
2012-09-08 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 200,500 mi“a spark plug worked loose from the head and blew out causing damage to the head and the ignition coil. all 8 plugs had to be replaced, two damaged spark plug holes repaired and two ignition coils replaced. *tr…”
2012-05-14 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:radiator Assembly · 120,000 mi“truck started making noise every time there was a bump. handling felt loose. discovered that the radiator core support had rusted completely away on the passenger side. the mechanic referred to the condition as "rot". this supports the radiator, a/c and provides an attachment for the front fenders. i bought 4 vehicles the same year. checked the o…”
2012-05-14 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:radiator Assembly · 210,000 mi“checked the condition of this trucks radiator core support after another truck bought the same year had one that rotted away and failed. this part supports the radiator, a/c and provides an attachment for the front fenders. this vehicle's radiator core support is rusted completely through in spots and large flakes of rust fall off when it is dist…”
2011-11-17 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 107,590 mi“spark plug blew out of plug hole, stripping threads of intake cylinder head. plug was found laying between valve cover and intake manifold. *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.