FORD ECONOLINE · model year

2002 FORD ECONOLINE

25 NHTSA complaints, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002FORDECONOLINE carries 25 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 ECONOLINE is vehicle speed control with 5 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (4) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2002 ECONOLINE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

25
Complaints
0
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

25 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
ENGINE2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS1
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING1
TIRES1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1

Recalls (4)

09E02500011/05/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

09E01200007/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

03V28200005/08/2003

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

ON CERTAIN CUTAWAY CHASSIS CAB WITH THE SCHOOL BUS OPTION, TWO BRACKETS AND TWO OUTRIGGER MEMBERS ARE MISSING IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL TANK.

08V05100004/02/2008

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY

Recent Complaints

20171014ENGINE

LEFT HOUSE FOR VACATION, GOT 75 MILES AWAY AT 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, AND ENGINE STARTED MAKING A POPPING SOUND. PULLED OFF ROAD AND CALLED A NEARBY MOBILE REPAIR COMPANY. THEY SENT OUT A MECHANIC, HE DIAGNOSED A BLOWN OUT SPARK PLUG, AND SAID THIS WAS COMMON FOR THE FORD V-10. MADE IT TO HIS SHOP, AND THAT'S WHERE IT SITS. ESTIMATES ARE OVER $4000 TO REPAIR.

Mileage: 150,000

20140720FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVING VAN ON HIGHWAY WHEN VAN BEGAN SMOKING. THEN FIRE. EVERYTHING WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *TR

Mileage: 280,000

20121018FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ECONOLINE E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR END OF THE FUEL TANK HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS HAD BECOME COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN CAUTIOUSLY AND WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND INSTALLED A TEMPORARY STRAP FOR THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 76,000.

Mileage: 76,000

20120716ENGINE

TOOK THE VAN TO THE STORE. UPON RETURNING FROM STORE STARTED THE VAN, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION AS IF A BOMB WENT OFF. EVERYONE LOOKED BECAUSE IT WAS SO LOUD. TURNED THE VAN OFF AND RESTARTED IT. IT SOUNDED LIKE A DRAG CAR AT THE TRACK, NO EXHAUST SYSTEM AT ALL. TOOK COW OFF AND LOOKED INSIDE, FOUND THE SPARK PLUG WITH THE BOOT LAYING ON TOP OF THE VALVE COVER OR INTAKE, NOT SURE THERE IS NO ROOM AND JUST ENOUGH TO GET TWO FINGERS IN TO RETRIEVE IT. I HAD NOTICED A LITTLE TICKING EARLIER IN THE DAY LIKE AN EXHAUST LEAK, BUT DID NOT FIND ONE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT IS NOW. NOT SURE WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

20120521FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS ON 101 SOUTH ON THE WALDO GRADE APPROACHING THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE. VEHICLE LOST POWER HALF WAY UP THE GRADE AND SLOWED TO 10 MPH. LIMPED VEHICLE TO OFF RAMP. I AM AN ASE CERTIFIED MASTER MECHANIC, I ALSO HOLD MY CALIFORNIA SMOG LICENSE. I'VE WORKED AS A MECHANIC FOR 30 YEARS. UPON GETTING THE VEHICLE HOME I DIAGNOSED THE CONCERN I FOUND THE FUEL TANK FULL OF METAL THAT HAD FLAKED FROMT HE WALLS OF THE FUEL TANK. I FOUND THE FUEL PICKUP IN THE TANK PLUGGED WITH FILINGS, THE FUEL PUMP RUINED, AND THE FUEL FILTER FULL OF METAL AND RUST. I SENT THE TANK TO WHO COATED THE FUEL TANK FOR ME. STATED THAT HE CONTINUOUSLY SEES THESE FORD TANK COMING FROM ALL THE DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH FORD FUEL TANKS. MY TOTAL COST FOR THIS REPAIR IN PARTS AND REPAIRS TO THE FUEL TANK HAS COME TO $1,200.00 WHOLESALE COST, NOT INCLUDING MY LABOR OR ANY PARTS RETAIL MA

Mileage: 96,517

20110613ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2002 FORD VAN - BLOWN SPARK PLUG. *TR

Mileage: 117,519

20110613ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2002 FORD VAN - BLOWN SPARK PLUG. *TR

Mileage: 123,005

20110613ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2002 FORD VAN - BLOWN SPARK PLUG. *TR

Mileage: 141,058

20100111FireSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ECONOLINE(NA). WHILE DRIVING AND ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE WARNING LIGHT CAME. THERE WAS ALSO NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND WAITED FOR AN HOUR TO RESTART IT; HOWEVER, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE SMOKE AND FIRE WERE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. HE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND DISCONNECTED THE ABS MODULE UNIT UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER WHO DID NOT RECONNECT THE ABS MODULE. THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE USING THE NORMAL BRAKING SYSTEM WITH NO FAILURES. THE ABS MODULE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,500.

Mileage: 54,500

20090603TIRES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ECONOLINE. THE VEHICLE HAS B.F. GOODRICH COMMERCIAL TA ALL TERRAIN TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 2007 AND HAVE BEEN ON THE VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE LESS THAN TWO YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTHORIZED WARRANTY REPAIR DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS WILLING TO PRO-RATE THE COST OF THE TIRES. THE TIRE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,190.

Mileage: 64,190

20080229VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL REPAIR NOTICE STATING THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PARTS HAD ARRIVED. WHEN HE CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERS, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR TWO MONTHS. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

20071221VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

A SAFETY RECALL WAS ISSUED AUG 2007 ON FORD VEHICLES FOR THE SPEED CONTROL WHICH MAY CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE (2002 BT CRUISER) IN FOR REPAIR OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. APPARENTLY THERE IS A NATIONAL BACK ORDER OF THE REPLACEMENT PART(S). OUR DEALER SAID THEY ARE NOW BEING TOLD THEY WILL NOT GET A SHIPMENT UNTIL MARCH. THERE IS NOT A SYSTEM IN PLACE THAT GIVES ANYONE AN IDEA OF WHEN THEY MAY GET THIS RESOLVED. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD TO KEEP CALLING THE DEALERS, WHO KEEP SAYING THEY DON'T HAVE PARTS. IN THE MEANTIME THEY RECOMMEND DISCONNECTING THE CRUISE CONTROL, WHICH AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, IS NOT A PLEASANT THOUGHT FOR AN RV WHICH IS USED FOR LONG DISTANCE TRAVELING. THERE SHOULD BE A BETTER SYSTEM IN PLACE FOR RESOLVING THIS ISSUE, AND IF SUCH A SYSTEM IS INCONCEIVABLE, THERE SHOULD BE BETTER COMMUNICATION BY FORD. *TR

20071214VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER ORIGINALLY STATED THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN DECEMBER OF 2007. AS OF DECEMBER 14, 2007, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN MARCH OF 2008. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART COULD BE AVAILABLE AT ANYTIME. THE CONTACT WAS DISSATISFIED WITH THE WAIT TIME AND THE REMEDY. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

20071120VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) IN AUGUST OF 2007. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED ARRIVAL DATE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT WAS UNACCEPTABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

20071017FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

I CALLED ABOUT A RECALL ON MY FORD E-150 ECONOLINE VAN IN AUGUST AND WAS TOLD THE PART WAS NOT IN. I CALLED AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS STILL NOT IN AND I WOULD BE PUT ON A WAITING LIST BUT I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN CALLED. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FIX A RECALL? *JB

20071017ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

I CALLED ABOUT A RECALL ON MY FORD E-150 ECONOLINE VAN IN AUGUST AND WAS TOLD THE PART WAS NOT IN. I CALLED AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS STILL NOT IN AND I WOULD BE PUT ON A WAITING LIST BUT I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN CALLED. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FIX A RECALL? *JB

20070905ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ECONOLINE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE LOCKED UP POSSIBLY DUE TO AN EXCESS OF OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE MECHANIC'S SHOP TO THE DEALER AND THEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER PROVIDED A REPAIR QUOTE, BUT NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 05S28 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, HOWEVER, IT WAS UNABLE TO BE LOCATED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,000.

Mileage: 61,000

20070905VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ECONOLINE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE LOCKED UP POSSIBLY DUE TO AN EXCESS OF OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE MECHANIC'S SHOP TO THE DEALER AND THEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER PROVIDED A REPAIR QUOTE, BUT NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 05S28 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, HOWEVER, IT WAS UNABLE TO BE LOCATED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,000.

Mileage: 61,000

20050517SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

FORD E-450 FRONT SHOCK TOWER CRACK

Mileage: 111,502

20050503SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONTACT STATES: IN WINTER WITH SNOW ON GROUND THERE IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES WILL NOT STOP THE VEHICLE ON DOWN GRADE WHEN THERE IS SLUSH OR SNOW ON THE ROAD. THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED 6 TIMES WHEN ROADS WERE SNOW COVERED. *AK THE SPARE TIRE CABLE HAD A BROKEN WIRE. *SC *JB

Mileage: 8,000

Compare 2002FORDECONOLINE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 FORD ECONOLINE have?
The 2002 FORD ECONOLINE has 25 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 FORD ECONOLINE?
Yes, the 2002 FORD ECONOLINE has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 FORD ECONOLINE?
The most-complained component for the 2002 FORD ECONOLINE is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Is the 2002 FORD ECONOLINE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.