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FaultScore report

2002 Ford E-250 problems

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 2002 Ford E-250 with NHTSA between 2002 and 2020. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 17 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Ford E-250 All 2002 cars
D

FaultScore 62/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Ford E-250.

How this is worked out

The numbers

18

Complaints

3

Crashes reported

2

Fires reported

2

Injuries reported

39,815 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

29%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 45 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 49 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 45
Against the median year of the Ford E-250. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
38.9% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 49
29% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2002 compares with every other Ford E-250

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2002 Ford E-250

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Tires 4 22.2%

Median failure at 156,476 miles

Brakes 4 22.2%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 36,414 mi

Fuel & Propulsion 2 11.1%

Median failure at 80,032 miles

Electrical System 2 11.1%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 26,000 mi

Engine & Cooling 2 11.1%

Median failure at 84,357 miles

Wheels 1 5.6%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 5.6%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 90,000 mi

Airbags 1 5.6%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 36,414 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 5.6%

Median failure at 75,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 2 14.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 7.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 5 35.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 7.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 2 14.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 1 7.1%
150,000+ miles 2 14.3%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Oct 2002 peak 2 Jun 2020

NHTSA investigations into the 2002 Ford E-250

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA10003 Opened 13 Apr 2010 Closed 5 Mar 2012 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

HVAC Switch Failures

This investigation was opened based on one complaint and reports from four transportation fleets alleging 182 blower motor control switch failures.ODI was concerned that these melting and burning switches could lead to an open flame that could spread throughout the vehicle.After a comprehensive review of all data related to overheating blower motor control switches in the subject vehicles, ODI did not identify the existence of a safety defect trend.ODI reviewed 1,036 complaints, claims, and field reports of failed blower motor control switches and determined that only two fires were likely to...

DP05005 Opened 22 Sep 2005 Closed 4 Jan 2006 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN A...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 90,000 miles Canton, OH Fire

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

FORD HAS RECALLS ON 1994-2002 FORD TRUCK 8500 GVW AND UNDER I HAVE A 2002 F250 FORD 8600 GVW THAT USES SAME CRUISE CONTROL PARTS AS THE OTHER TRUCKS. THIS UNIT WAS SITTING IN GARAGE WHEN NOT RUNNING WHEN THE SAME PARTS THAT ARE BEING REPLACED ON OTHER VEHICLES IGNITED ON FIRE. FORD WILL NOT REPLACE THE PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #10138296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dayton, TX Crash

WHEELS

MY SON WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN THE BACK WHEELS LOCKED-UP AND STARTED TO SKID. HE CALLED THE POLICE AND THE OFFICER SAID HE COULD SEE WHERE IT LOOK LIKE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED AND THERE WERE THREE OTHER WITNESSES TO WHAT HAD HAPPENED. MY HUSBAND FEELS THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. I AM WAITING TO SEE IF YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY FOR ME TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE CHECKED OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10111831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,000 miles White Plains, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED FOR OVER 24 HOURS. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THE FIRE WAS DUE TO A SHORT IN THE WIRING. *JB IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE B POST WHERE THE WIRING RUNS THROUGH THE POST TO THE RIGHT SIDE REAR POWER DOOR LOCKS. *SCC *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10038597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,414 miles Fort Lauderdale, FL Crash 4 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES AND THEN RAN INTO A TAXI CAB HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH NO PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN THE ENGINE AND FRONT END DAMAGE. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10033756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,414 miles Fort Lauderdale, FL Crash 4 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES AND THEN RAN INTO A TAXI CAB HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH NO PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN THE ENGINE AND FRONT END DAMAGE. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10033756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 282,952 miles Corpus Christi, TX

TIRES

BOTH FRONT TIRES MERELY DEVELOPED TREAD BULGES , LESS THAN 15K MILES, NEVER HAD A FLAT, BEEN OVERLOADED ,OVERINFLATED , ECT.. THEY JUST BECAME VERY POOR DRIVING AND VIBRATED BADLY TO FIND THEY BOTH HAVE BULGES IN THE TREAD. THEY SEEMED FINE ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO AND WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE IT A COUPLE DAYS AGO THE PROBLEM BECAME APPARENT.

NHTSA complaint #11331209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles Breese, IL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE FUEL TANK STRAP DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO NEARLY TOUCH THE GROUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA complaint #10763125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 117,715 miles Byram, MS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I OWN A FORD F-250 WITH A 5.4 MOTOR. THIS TRUCK BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE MOTOR ON 4-15 -2008 AND IT BLEW A DIFFERENT SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE MOTOR ON 5-13-2009. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS TRUCK AND OTHER VEHICLES AND CORRECT THIS DEFECT. I WILL BE TALKING WITH A LAWYER IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS IN HOPES OF GETTING MY TRUCK REPAIRED AND TO RECOVER THE MONEY I HAVE ALREADY SPENT FOR REPAIRS.I F SAFERCAR.GOV WILL CHECK WITH PARTS HOUSES SUCH AS AUTO ZONE AND REPAIR SHOPS YOU WILL FIND THIS IS A VERY BIG PROBLEM, A VERY VERY BIG PROBLEM. I PULL A HORSE TRAILER AND IF THIS SPARK WOULD HAVE BLEW OUT WHILE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC ME OR MY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED !!!!!! *TR WALTER GLENN JOHNSON BYRAM,MS

NHTSA complaint #10268892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Santa Rosa, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

FAILURE OF CAM POSITION SENSOR ON 2002 FORD F250 DIESEL. MOTOR STOPS WORKING LOST OF POWER STEERING AND ALL POWER,AS IF KEY WAS TURNED OFF. IF PULLING TRAILER THIS WAS AN EXTREMLY DANGERIOS CONDITIONIN IN THE FORD 2002 F250 TRUCK WITH THE 7.3 DIESEL MOTOR. JUST CHECK THE INTERNET TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLLE WERE HAVING TROUBLE.

NHTSA complaint #10195390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Aurora, OH

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

4R70W TRANSMISSION FAILURE. PLANETARY GEAR SHATTERED RESULTING IN A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. REQUIRING THE TRANSMISSION TO BE REBUILT.

NHTSA complaint #10183496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Aurora, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

TOTAL CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE AT 51,000 MILES. SAT AT DEALERSHIP FROM JAN 3,2006 TO APRIL 7, 2005 WAITING FOR DEALER ONLY PART. NO CAUSE FOUND. TRUCK WAS IN EXCELLENT RUNNING CONDITION.

NHTSA complaint #10183494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Canton, OH Fire

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

FORD HAS RECALLS ON 1994-2002 FORD TRUCK 8500 GVW AND UNDER I HAVE A 2002 F250 FORD 8600 GVW THAT USES SAME CRUISE CONTROL PARTS AS THE OTHER TRUCKS. THIS UNIT WAS SITTING IN GARAGE WHEN NOT RUNNING WHEN THE SAME PARTS THAT ARE BEING REPLACED ON OTHER VEHICLES IGNITED ON FIRE. FORD WILL NOT REPLACE THE PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #10138296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Dallas, TX

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TIRE SEPARATION, GOODYEAR LT245/75R16E TIRES. AT APPROXIMATELY 30000 MILES, THE TIRE BEGAN TO BOUNCE DUE TO A TREAD SEPARATION, CREATING AN UNSAFE SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint #10114525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dayton, TX Crash

WHEELS

MY SON WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN THE BACK WHEELS LOCKED-UP AND STARTED TO SKID. HE CALLED THE POLICE AND THE OFFICER SAID HE COULD SEE WHERE IT LOOK LIKE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED AND THERE WERE THREE OTHER WITNESSES TO WHAT HAD HAPPENED. MY HUSBAND FEELS THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. I AM WAITING TO SEE IF YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY FOR ME TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE CHECKED OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10111831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,631 miles Rockaway, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

WHEN BRAKING AT 25 MPH THE BRAKES HAD GONE TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT ELECTRONIC HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT FOR THE ABS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10046400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,000 miles White Plains, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED FOR OVER 24 HOURS. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THE FIRE WAS DUE TO A SHORT IN THE WIRING. *JB IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE B POST WHERE THE WIRING RUNS THROUGH THE POST TO THE RIGHT SIDE REAR POWER DOOR LOCKS. *SCC *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10038597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,414 miles Fort Lauderdale, FL Crash 4 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES AND THEN RAN INTO A TAXI CAB HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH NO PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN THE ENGINE AND FRONT END DAMAGE. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10033756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,414 miles Fort Lauderdale, FL Crash 4 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES AND THEN RAN INTO A TAXI CAB HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH NO PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN THE ENGINE AND FRONT END DAMAGE. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10033756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 373 miles North Clarendon, VT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

VIBRATIONS FLOOR,STEERING WHEEL NEW PROBLEM BRAKES REAR INNER PADS AND ROTORS GONE 22K MILES. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10023546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Virginia Beach, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, CONSUMER ALSO PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR BY ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10015435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65 miles Medway, MA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE HAS A 29 GALLON FUEL TANK. WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY AND I FUEL UP THE VEHICLE IT WILL ONLY TAKE 22 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE DEALER TELLS ME THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE A RESERVE, BUT A 7 GALLON RESERVE DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1999 F-250 WITH THE SAME SPECS AND WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY IT WOULD TAKE UP TO 29 GALLONS, I HAD THE 2002 VEHICLE AT THE DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM, THEY ALSO TELL ME THE GAUGE IS WORKING PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint #10013996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oxon Hill, MD

TIRES

TIRE TREAD SEPERATION AFTER ONLY 10,000 MILE ON THE VEHICLE. WAS A SLIGHT VIBRATION IN THE VAN BEFORE THE TIRE BLEW. THE ENITRE OUTER SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE WAS DESTROYED. DT

NHTSA complaint #770300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hanover, MD

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

CONSUMER STATES ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT (TIRES) GENERAL TIRE MODEL# _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DOT:#_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ BELT IS BROKEN., DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MODEL# AND DOT #. TS

NHTSA complaint #8021071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.