Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford F-350, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Tires20
- Engine and engine cooling19
- Steering16
- Electrical system14
- Power train10
- Service brakes, hydraulic9
- Vehicle speed control7
- Structure6
- Suspension6
- Fuel system, gasoline4
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 9 injuries and 2 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 54 2002 F-350 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 25 people died inside them, and 16 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2002 Ford F-350 failed the safety check 0.87% of the time — 57% less often than the average 2002 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 159,573 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 2002 Ford F-350.
| 2009292 14 Oct 2009 | Other On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The condition may occur ei… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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 EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 2002 Ford F-350: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 637846 | INFORMATION USED WHEN REPLACING THE DRIVERS SEAT MODULE. *TT |
| 637836 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.2L, 4.6L AND 5.4L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A LACK OF POWER CONDITION. *TT |
| 636322 | CERTAIN SUPER DUTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH LPG ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A DEAD BATTERY CONDITION AFTER LEAVING THE VEHICLE PARKED FOR 2 OR 3 DAYS. *TT |
| 636275 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT AT CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANT BETWEEN JANUARY 14, 2002 AND MAY 21, 2002 MAY EXHIBIT A KNOCK NOISE DUE TO AN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED STEERING DAMPER. *TT |
| 633564 | SUBJECT REGARDING DEMONSTRATION/ DELIVERY HOLD: POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE REPROGRAMMING. *JG |
| 630218 | SOME 4X4 VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CRANK NO START CONDITION. *TT |
| 630198 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN INOPERATIVE SIDE POWER MIRROR CONDITION. *TT |
| 630103 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A TACKY SURFACE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL (IP). *TT |
| 630020 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A DIFFICULTY IN PROGRAMMING THE KEY FOB(S). *TT |
| 625782 | SOME DRWS EQUIPPED WITH ANGLED BRASS VALVE STEMS MAY EXHIBIT A VALVE CORE THAT STICKS OPEN WHEN ACTUATED. *TT |
| 625767 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L GAS ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B1345 RETRIEVED DURING SELF TEST FROM THE TO HEC MODULE (INSTRUMENT PANEL). *TT |
| 625666 | SUBJECT PERTAINING TO PASSENGER SEAT MISBUILD.*JB |
| 10014083 | MEMONTARY RETURN TO IDLE DURING AGGRESSIVE ACCELERATION - DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0123. *TT |
| 10013413 | VEHICLE LEAN SAG WHEN OBSERVED FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. *EH |
| 10013316 | A COLD WEATHER REVERSE ENGAGEMENT STALL. *TT |
| 10013071 | LOUD SQUEALING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AREA WHEN THE ENGINE FAN CLUTCH IS UNDER LOAD WHILE OPERATED IN HOT DUSTY CLIMATES. VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 7.3L ENGINE. *TT |
| 10012965 | SERVICE TIPS BEFORE ARC WELDING ON THE FRAME OR BODY OF A UNIT. *TT |
| 10011164 | REAR AXLE POPPING/CHATTER NOISE - DANA 80 MODEL DUAL REAR WHEEL (DRW). *AR |
| 10010734 | 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 |
| 10010731 | MULTIPLE VEHICLES - FUEL LEVEL INDICATION CONCERNS - SERVICE TIP. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2005 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES, EXCURSION, EXPEDITION, EXPLORER, MOUNTAINEER AND AVIATOR. *TT |
| 10008581 | COOLING SYSTEM-MOTORCRAFT PREMIUM GOLD ENGINE COOLANT-SERIVCE TIPS. *MJ |
| 10008334 | ENGINE-LIGHT TICK OR RATTLE TYPE NOISE FROM ENGINE AFTER COLD START. *MJ |
| 10008310 | ENGINE-CYLINDER HEAD DECK LEAK-4.6 AND 5.4L ENGINES-NEW SERVICE-ONLY GASKET AND CYLINDER HEAD KITS AVAILABILITY. *MJ |
| 10008201 | WARNING INDICATORS-PARKING AID-REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM (RSS) AND FORWARD SENSING SYSTEM (FSS)-FALSE ACTIVATION OF WARNING TONE-SERVICE TIPS. *MJ UPDATE. *TT |
| 10008119 | OIL/DUST FILM AT CAC CONNECTIONS. *MJ |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation