CarModelProblems.com

2002 Ford F-350 SD 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:engine:diesel — runs 2.5× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
124Complaints
4Recalls
7Crashes
8Fires
6Injured
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:engine:diesel (19.4% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel complaints here are 2.5× 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 Cooling:engine:diesel24 · 19.4%RecalledRecall 07V553000
Tires13 · 10.5%No official action
Electrical System11 · 8.9%Investigation closedEA05005 → recall 05V388000 · EA05005 → recall 06V286000 · EA05005 → recall 07V078000 · EA05005 → recall 07V336000 · EA05005 → recall 07V347000 · EA05005 → recall 07V488000 · EA05005 → recall 08V025000
Tires:tread/belt9 · 7.3%No official action
Fuel System, Diesel8 · 6.5%No official action
Engine And Engine Cooling8 · 6.5%RecalledRecall 07V553000

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

TIRES13 · 10.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11 · 8.9%
TIRES:TREAD/BELT9 · 7.3%
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL8 · 6.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING8 · 6.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE7 · 5.6%
TIRES:SIDEWALL5 · 4%
STEERING5 · 4%
Unspecified / other5 · 4%

Percentages are the share of the 124 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 — 4 campaigns

Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

NHTSA campaign 11V352000 · 2011 · reported 07/13/2011

NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

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

Vehicle Speed Control

NHTSA campaign 09V399000 · 2009 · reported 10/13/2009

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

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

Wheels:hub

NHTSA campaign 07E106000 · 2007 · reported 12/17/2007

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

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

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel

NHTSA campaign 07V553000 · 2007 · reported 12/05/2007

IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING. 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

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: ENGINE: DIESEL…”NHTSA complaint 10221478 — filed 03/17/2008 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F350 SUPER DUTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A SAFETY RECALL REPAIRED. AT THAT TIME…”NHTSA complaint 10211934 — filed 12/14/2007 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
“CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED ON MY '02 FORD F-350 POWER STOKE DIESEL.”NHTSA complaint 10197850 — filed 07/30/2007 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

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

Complaint trend by year filed

620041313200636162008782010822012442014122016232018

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford F-350 SD?

Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel issues are the most-reported category, cited in 24 of 124 NHTSA complaints (19.4%), followed by tires (13), electrical system (11), tires:tread/belt (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2002 Ford F-350 SD have?

124 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 7 involved a crash, 8 involved a fire, and 6 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2002 Ford F-350 SD have any recalls?

Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 11V352000. 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-350 SD'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.