2002 Ford F-350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
285 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2002 Ford F-350, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 4 defect investigations. It scores 45/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 63,525 miles.
Below average
Where 2002 sits among all F-350 years
What owners report
“Camshsft position sensor (cps) failed on my ford f-350, 2002 model, 7.3 liter diesel engine. The failure occurred gradually, with six unintended engine shutdowns. Three shutdowns were at highway speeds, three while parked. Date is approximated; odometer reading approximately 60000 miles. I will…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 F-350
“While driving at 55 mph left rear tire blew out. The tire was changed, and the vehicle sustained damage. No recalls found.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 F-350
“On my way to work the turn signals failed and hazzzard lights no break lites or turn singnals the fuse panel was smoking and coused a wreck at 60 miles per hour”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 F-350
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 204 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 63,525 miles. Half of those reports fall between 38,341 and 124,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
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…
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND…
Fix: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE…
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY…
Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 07V553000.
Led to recall campaign 05V388000.
Technical service bulletins
73 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and transmission & drivetrain — are on file for the 2002 Ford F-350. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2002 Ford F-350 reliable?
The 2002 Ford F-350 drew 285 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 45/100, scored against the model's worst year (1999).
What are the most common 2002 Ford F-350 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2002 Ford F-350 are engine (66 complaints), wheels & tires (52), and electrical (35).
At what mileage do 2002 Ford F-350 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2002 Ford F-350 problems around 63,525 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 38,341 and 124,000 miles.
Does the 2002 Ford F-350 have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 2002 Ford F-350. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.