FaultScore

2002 Ford F-150 other reported problems

25 of the 965 complaints about the 2002 Ford F-150 are about the other systems — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 120,000 miles.

F

25

Complaints

2

Crashes

5

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Unknown OR Other 25 100.0%

Other & Unspecified across every Ford F-150 year

1994 16 0.7%
1997 48 2.0%
1998 27 1.1%
1999 15 0.6%
2000 17 0.7%
2001 36 1.5%
2002 25 1.0%
2003 19 0.8%
2004 81 3.4%
2005 40 1.7%
2006 23 1.0%
2007 20 0.8%
2008 17 0.7%
2009 10 0.4%
2010 61 2.6%
2011 112 4.7%
2012 119 5.0%
2013 224 9.4%
2014 147 6.1%
2015 200 8.4%
2016 251 10.5%
2017 160 6.7%
2018 231 9.7%
2019 129 5.4%
2020 85 3.6%
2021 91 3.8%
2022 85 3.6%
2023 64 2.7%
2024 17 0.7%
2025 22 0.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Hesperia, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I had the recall number 05s28 repaired at high desert ford on July sixth as a part of a California safety inspection to register my vehicle. Per ford they are done however they refuse to update the system which holds my vehicle unable to be registered even after the services were rendered and complete. Multiple attempts to trendy have failed any results thus ford is holding my vehicle hostage from legal use in the state

NHTSA complaint #11750981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Council Bluffs IA, IA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DRIVING DOWN [XXX] THE STRAPS ON MY GAS TANK BROKE BECAUSE THEY RUSTED THRU CAUSING GAS TANK TO DROP AND SPILL FUEL ALL OVER [XXX] IN IOWA CAUSING SO MUCH FUEL SPILLED OUT THEY HAD TO CLOSE ONE LANE OF TRAFFIC....THE FIRE DEPT CHIEF OF WHITING, IOWA, STEVEN SNYDER, Can verify what happened....THERE IS A POLICE REPORT BUT I DIDN'T HAVE IT FILING OUT THIS REPORT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11604628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bridgeville, CA Fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Unknown cause of incident. Vehicle is available for inspection. Vehicle spontaneously burst into flames. No reproduction due to incident happening on 09/02/2022. Vehicle inspected by Fire Department and California Highway Patrol. No warnings or symptoms leading up to incident. On 09/02/2022 I attempted to help my wife that was stranded out State Route Highway 36 in her 2009 BMW 750 LI at the Van Duzen Grange. I had been hooked up to her car for approximately 10 to 15 minutes with my truck idling when she screamed, " Your truck's on FIRE!" I barely got myself out of the cab when a ball of flames shot through the dashboard. 3/4ths of the truck was consumed in fire in less than 5 minutes. Fire Department arrived approximately 10 minutes later and doused the fire. Everything in my truck was destroyed. My wife's BMW suffered severe damage to the front end.

NHTSA complaint #11482791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Palm Beach, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

This F 150 has experienced SUA. I have reported it back in June. I have tried to fix the problem but I cannot. I don't know what causes my truck to accelerate full throttle. So, I've come to the conclusion I must move on. Then I realized I really cannot sell the vehicle? Somebody would be killed no doubt. I've been lucky and savvy enough to slide the shifter into neutral. If I sell the truck and do not mention the problem? The thing is I could sell this truck in 5 minutes. It runs like a top spins. I have always taken care of any maintenance issues since purchasing new. I've educated myself on SUA. It's extremely interesting but if you've experienced it, it is awful. I read one story about a guy who wanted a Toyota dealership to take his Camry back. It was practically new. They would not. So he went to another dealership and traded it in. I can't blame the guy but I can not sell my truck and sleep at night. So what do I do with a truck that roars off like a rocket ship? How many people have had this problem? And what do they do with the car/truck once they realize it really cannot be driven anymore?

NHTSA complaint #11425126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Palm Beach, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SUA sudden unwanted acceleration, at least 4 times. No floor mats. 1st time truck surged back and forth a little then accelerated full throttle. I went to neutral. I kicked gas pedal although gas peddle was not depressed. It stopped. I was shook up but in control. I decided to remove throttle body and clean extensively. Replaced TB Sensor w/ genuine Ford part and replaced throttle valve on top. Hoped for the best. Still have the problem. 2002 F 150 XL 4.2 purchased new. I still have truck because its been such a great truck, I never felt like it was time to move on. It runs like new and I've taken care of it. I am writing this info for safety and only safety. I've been researching this issue. trying to solve problem. I took truck to qualified shop where mechanic is known to me and he was a little stumped. No codes, no check engine light. Can't solve the puzzle? So, I'm on top of the possibility of it happening. I really don't go anywhere w/ truck, to the store and back pretty much. So when its happens, I'm fast to go to neutral. I also feel like if I wanted to show somebody what I'm talking about, all they have to do is get in. I'm almost positive if I punch the gas peddle just a little, say to pass a slow driver, it'll go like hell. I have started thinking about my next truck. But no way I'm trading or selling this truck and passing the problem to someone else. So, I'm dealing with it and really hope my experience helps. I've read the story's on line. Because I've lived it, I can tell you its a bit terrifying. That's my story Thank You Jim Winn

NHTSA complaint #11421297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 263,773 miles Somerset, KY Crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN MY TRUCK IS IN IDOL POSITION, THE TRUCK JUMPS AS THOUGH IT IS EITHER TRYING TO SHUT OFF OR TAKE OFF. I ACTUALLY HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A DRIVE THROUGH WHILE SITTING IN IDOL POSITION.

NHTSA complaint #11307245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Memphis, TN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.

NHTSA complaint #11281716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Victoria, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE TRUCK SIMPLY SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT A MONTH PRIOR TO THIS ACTION, THE TRUCK WOULD SOMETIMES, RANDOMLY, NOT START. AFTER WAITING A PERIOD OF TIME THE TRUCK WOULD START.

NHTSA complaint #11208317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 240,000 miles Ogden, UT Fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

STATIONARY CAUGHT FIRE IN STORAGE GARAGE, DAMAGING, EQUIPMENT LAWN MOWERS,MOTORHOME,STRUCTURE.

NHTSA complaint #11118194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 196,000 miles Steelmantown, NJ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FUEL TANK STRAPS RUSTED AWAY, AND FUEL TANK STARTING LEAKING AND TANK IS FALLING OUT THIS WEEK., TRUCK HAD BEEN SERVICED AT FORD AND CHECKED FOR RECALLS. CORROSION SEEMS PERVASIVE IN AREA OF FUEL TANK, 4.6L V8 COYOTE SERIES, 2 WD, SHORT BED EXTRA CAB XLT TRIM MILEAGE 197K. TRUCK OTHERWISE IN GOOD CONDITION, WE LIVE IN AGRICULTURAL SOUTH JERSEY.

NHTSA complaint #11072229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 141,513 miles Whitesboro, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY FIANCE AND I HAD TO PLACE ARE FULL SIZE SPARE ON THAT CAME WITH TRUCK IT WAS BRAND NEW WE HAD NO CHOICE BC THIS WAS FRIDAY EVENING AND OUT LOCAL TIRE SHOP WAS CLOSED TELL TODAY (MONDAY) YESTERDAY WE DROVE 7 MILE TO COLLINSVILE TO CHANGE BRAKES AFTER WE FINISH WE LOAD OUR 3 KIDS AND BEFAN TO HIDE HOME ANOTHER 3 MILES FROM HOME WE NOTICE THE TRUCK SHAKING THEN WE HEARD LOAD POP AND TAIL OF THE TRUCK LOST CONTROL FOR ABOUT 2 SECOND ONCE WE GOT CONTROL BACK WE PULLED TO SAFETY TO ONLY SEE THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE BED CRACKED TORE AND SHATTERED. EVEN THE HOSE WHERE U FUEL U TRUCK UP AT HAD BEEN DAMAGETTING WHEN WE CONTINUED TO EXAMINE THE TIRE IT WASN'T BLOWN AND IT'S STILL HOLDING AIR. BUT PLZ EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THE ENTIRE CENTER SECTION OF TREAD RIPPED OFF FOR NO REASON AND NOT ONLY PUT MY CHILDREN IN DANGER BUT DAMAGED MY TRUCK TO A SEVERE EXTENT ? IT'S A FULL SIE HERCULES TERRAIN TRAC SIZE 16 HAD NOTHING WRONG WITH IT TELL NOW.

NHTSA complaint #11030768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 136,500 miles Mckee, KY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TAKATA RECALL. WHILE I WAS DRIVING I NOTICED A LOUD POP AND MY TRUCK STARTED VIBRATING AND SPUN ME SIDEWAYS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HAD FOUGHT IT UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL AND COME TO A STOP. (I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH THAT NOBODY ELSE WAS HEADING IN MY DIRECTION BECAUSE THE TRUCK TOOK UP BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD). I GOT OUT AND LOOKED TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND SEEN MY ALUMINUM FORD FACTORY RIM HAD BUSTED INTO PIECES. TAKATA RECALL. A PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING AS OF RIGHT NOW IS SPARK PLUGS KEEP FLYING OUT AND DESTROYING MY COIL PACKS. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT HAS DONE THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10853941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Lufkin, TX Fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND REMAINED AT THE RESIDENCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10628366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tahoka, TX Fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TRUCK WAS PARKED IN HOTEL PARKING LOT AND CAUGHT FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10406408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 154,000 miles Emporia, KS

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2002 FORD F150, 4X4, 4 DOOR. WAS DRIVING HOME FROM KANSAS CITY KANSAS TO EMPORIA KANSAS, LUCKY I WAS STOPPING BY A FRIENDS HOUSE IN LAWRENCE KS. I WAS STOPPED @ A RED LIGHT IN DOWNTOWN, WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I GAVE MY TRUCK GAS, HEARD A POP, SMELLED GAS & LUMPED TO A SAFE PLACE TO STOP. ENDED UP HAVING TO CALL A FRIEND & RENT A TRAILER TO DRAG MY TRUCK HOME. FOUND OUT THAT IT HAD "BLOWIN" A "SPARK PLUG"! WHAT THE HECK??? THE CONSUMER REPORT BOOK SAID NOTHING ABOUT THIS!!!!! AFTER READING EVERYONE'S STORIES, I AM SURE, FORD PAYS THEM OFF! NOT JUST THE "BEST" TRUCK IN AMERICA!!! BUT THE "WORLD"!!! BUT NO I LISTENED TO MY HUSBAND... I MYSELF AM A MOPAR PERSON. LADIES DON'T LET THEM MEN PICK YOUR RIDE FOR YA... HATE TO SEE YOU GET STUCK WITH A FORD LIKE ME.. BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW "FORD" IS NOT GOING TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM FOR US. BUT DON'T GIVE UP HOPE THERE IS A: "WORLD'S BEST FORD SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR KIT". NOW DON'T WE ALL FEEL "COZY"..... HAHA (SORRY GUYS, GIRLS JUST PICK BETTER RIDES!) 1/6/2011.

NHTSA complaint #10375020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Apollo, PA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT FORD F150 4.6 V8 TRITON ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10334351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 83,000 miles Johnson City, TN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. WHILE IDLING FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MINUTES, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,000.

NHTSA complaint #10253116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,000 miles Sacramento, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY 2002 FORD F-150 EXTENDED CAB 5.4LITRE PICKUP BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER TO INQUIRE AS TO THE PRICE OF REPLACING AN EXHAUST GASKET AS THIS IS WHAT THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE. THE SERVICE ADVISER AFTER HEARING THE MAKE MODEL AND SIZE ENGINE AND YEAR OF THE TRUCK SAID, "NO YOU DID NOT BLOW THE EXHAUST GASKET, YOU BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE HEAD". I WAS ASTOUNDED AS TO HOW HE COULD MAKE A DIAGNOSIS OF THIS TYPE AS I HAD NEVER EVEN HEARD OF SUCH AN OCCURRENCE. THE COST WOULD BE A MINIMUM OF $850.00. AFTER GOING ON THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO BE A PREVALENT PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10228906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Fortson, GA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2002 FORD F-150 SUPERCREW BOUGHT NEW FROM RIVERTOWN FORD. PAINT IS BLISTERING. SMALL PIECES OF "?" ARE SHOWING EVERYWHERE ON THE VEHICLE. FORD SAYS ITS TOO LATE AND NOT THEIR PROBLEM. PAINT JOB "BLISTERING" LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD...... SOUNDS LIKE ANOTHER LATE 80'S - EARLY 90'S FORD PAINT PROBLEM AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10181835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 172,000 miles Laredo, TX Fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS VIEWING PROPERTY IN ANOTHER COUNTY. I LEFT MY WEHICLE PARKED ON A RANCH ROAD IN ORDER TO RIDE WITH THE REALTOR. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE (2002 F150 SUPER CREW) IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I HAD A CAMERA BECAUSE I WAS TAKING PICTURES OF THE PROPERTY, SO I HAVE PICTURES OF THE TRUCK ON FIRE AS WELL AS PICTURES AFTER THE FIRE DEPT. PUT OUT THE FIRE. ALL CONTENTS AND THE VEHICLE WERE DESTROYED, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO ANY PEOPLE OR OTHER PROPERTY. THERE WAS AN OFF DUTY POLICE OFFICER AT THE SITE WHEN I RETURNED, BUT I DIDN'T GET HIS NAME. HE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND TOLD ME THERE WASN'T ANYTHING ELSE I COULD DO. THE REALTOR, A FRIEND, AND I LEFT TO VIEW MORE PROPERTY. WE RETURNED TO TAKE MORE PICTURES AFTER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD LEFT AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #10170881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,000 miles Canton, MI

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE BRAKE PEDAL STOPPED MOVING WHEN ACTUATING THE ADJUSTABLE PEDALS. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MOVES SO THERE IS NO STEP OVER HEIGHT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PEDALS. WITH THE PEDALS BEING AT THE SAME HEIGHT POSITION THERE IS NO WAY TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN THEM OR STEP ON BOTH AT SAME TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10164899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bellevue, MI Crash 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HIS FORD TRUCK F-150 AND SUDDENLY CRASHED INTO A TREE. HE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURY AND STILL IN THE HOSPITAL HE WAS IN CRITICAL CONDITION FOR TWO DAYS AND HE WILL BE DISABLE FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED LAST WEEK ON MARCH 4,2006.

NHTSA complaint #10152644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,000 miles Towaco, NJ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE CABLE HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE SNAPPED. THE TIRE BOUNCED ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *AK UPDATED 1/19/2006 - THE CONSUMER HAS THE FAILED CABLE IN HIS POSSESSION. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO DAMAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10146128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles Sutton, WV

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

(1) TRUCK'S BED SPREADING APART AND IGNITION/WIRING SHORTAGE (2) THE BED OF MY TRUCK HAS SPREAD APART FOR NO REASON AT ALL. I CANNOT EVEN SHUT MY TAILGATE. MY TRUCK'S BATTERY CONTINUES TO RUN DOWN. WHEN I TURN ON MY TRUCK, THE STARTER DOESN'T WANT TO STOP. A LIGHT DISPLAYS, "DOOR OPENED!" THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE MUSIC GOES ON AND OFF. (3) I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE DEALER TO GET THE BED FIXED. THEY SET ME AN APPOINTMENT. I MADE ANOTHER TRIP OVER AN HOUR ONE WAY TO GET FIXED AND THEN THEY DIDN'T FIX. MY WARRANTY HAS JUST RECENTLY RAN OUT. I AM HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS AND DON'T KNOW WHAT IS THE MATTER. I HAVEN'T HAD NO LUCK WITH TALKING WITH A FORD MECHANIC. THE WIRES IN THE STEERING COLUMN LOOKS TOO TIGHT OR LOOSE. THERE IS A CONSTANT BUZZING SOUND. MY CLOCK AND MILEAGE READINGS ERASES. MY WINDOWS STOP WORKING. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN I PLACE THE TRUCK IN DRIVE. MOST OF THE TIME EVERYTHING STARTS WORKING ONCE PLACED IN PARK. I ONLY HAVE CLOSE TO 70,000 MILES. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS.

NHTSA complaint #10105819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles Hockessin, DE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE TRUCK HAD A HEATING SYSTEM FAILURE. THE DOOR LOCATED IN THE HEATING UNIT (THAT OPENS AND CLOSES WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS ADJUSTED) BECAME STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION WHICH ALLOWED ONLY COLD AIR TO ENTER THE AIR VENT. THE CONSUMER HAD TO TURN OFF THE HEAT SYSTEM TO PREVENT HYPERTHERMIA. AS A RESULT THE DEFOGGER SYSTEM COULDN'T BE USED WHICH CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DOOR AND OTHER COMPONENTS. *NM THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE TEMPERATURE POTENTIOMETER AND ACTUATOR. *NM

NHTSA complaint #10057373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2002 Ford F-150 problems

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