CarModelProblems.com

2002 Ford F-150 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling — runs 2.3× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
820Complaints
10Recalls
51Crashes
95Fires
60Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling (11.5% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints here are 2.3× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.

2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Engine And Engine Cooling94 · 11.5%Investigation closedDP05005
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine78 · 9.5%Investigation closedDP05005
Electrical System71 · 8.7%Investigation closedEA05005 → recall 05V388000 · EA05005 → recall 06V286000 · EA05005 → recall 07V078000 · EA05005 → recall 07V336000 · EA05005 → recall 07V347000 · EA05005 → recall 07V488000 · EA05005 → recall 08V025000
Vehicle Speed Control66 · 8%RecalledRecall 05V388000
Engine66 · 8%Investigation closedDP05005
Fuel System, Gasoline51 · 6.2%RecalledRecall 11V385000 · Recall 06E056000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE66 · 8%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE51 · 6.2%
SEAT BELTS37 · 4.5%
Unspecified / other24 · 2.9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM21 · 2.6%
AIR BAGS20 · 2.4%

Percentages are the share of the 820 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 10 campaigns

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

NHTSA campaign 11V385000 · 2011 · reported 07/29/2011

AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY FAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL LINES TO SEPARATE FROM THE TANK, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSING THE TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND. EITHER SCENARIO MAY RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 08E050000 · 2008 · reported 08/11/2008

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA campaign 06E056000 · 2006 · reported 06/13/2006

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 06E067000 · 2006 · reported 08/01/2006

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Vehicle Speed Control

NHTSA campaign 05V388000 · 2005 · reported 09/07/2005

A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:electrical

NHTSA campaign 07E066000 · 2007 · reported 08/28/2007

IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 06E052000 · 2006 · reported 06/12/2006

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E065000 · 2006 · reported 07/17/2006

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. THE CONSUMER NOTICED…”NHTSA complaint 10106977 — filed 01/31/2005 · TIRES:TREAD/BELT
“ELECTRICAL: AT 306 MILES THE SOLENOIDS HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPON SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF; THE DASH BOARD WOULD STILL ILLUMINATE. ALSO, UPON SHUTTING THE…”NHTSA complaint 10108792 — filed 01/25/2005 · STRUCTURE
“DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED ON GRAVEL ROAD, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE, FOUND LEFT REAR WHEEL HAD…”NHTSA complaint 10105735 — filed 01/04/2005 · POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

3720123643201434282016231820181872020562022942024212026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford F-150?

Engine and engine cooling issues are the most-reported category, cited in 94 of 820 NHTSA complaints (11.5%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (78), electrical system (71), vehicle speed control (66). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2002 Ford F-150 have?

820 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 51 involved a crash, 95 involved a fire, and 60 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2002 Ford F-150 have any recalls?

Yes — 10 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 11V385000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2002 Ford F-150's reported problems?

2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.