Total Complaints
145 filings
FORD F-350 SD · model year
145 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002FORDF-350 SD carries 145 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 13 crashes, 8 fires, 8 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 F-350 SD is engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel with 24 filings, followed by tires (13) and electrical system (11). 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 177 investigation files overlapping the 2002 F-350 SD, and 8 remain open. 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.
Total Complaints
145 filings
Crashes Reported
13 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL | 24 |
| TIRES | 13 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 11 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 9 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | 8 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 8 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 7 |
| TIRES:SIDEWALL | 5 |
| STEERING | 5 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS | 3 |
| ENGINE | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 2 |
WHEELS:HUB
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 TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO M
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
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 TH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
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.
IMPROPER PROTECTION OF THE OIL PAN TO ELEMENTS CAUSES METAL PAN TO ROT PREMATURELY GEAR BOX FOR STEEERING NOT DESIGNED PROPERLY FOR THE WEIGHT CLASS OF TRUCK CONSTANTLY BREAKING CAUSING SLOPPY STEERING AND LOSS OF CONTROL 2 LEAF SPRINGS ON FRONT END ARE ONLY RATED TO A WEIGHT OF 1950LBS FOR A 1 TON TRUCK THAT WEIGHS ALMOST 9,000 POUNDS CAUSING SPRINGS TO BREAK OR WEAR PREMATURELY UNLESS YOU PAY FORD 2,000-5,000 DOLLARS TO OUR GRADE THE SUSPENSION
Mileage: 250,000
IMPROPER PROTECTION OF THE OIL PAN TO ELEMENTS CAUSES METAL PAN TO ROT PREMATURELY GEAR BOX FOR STEEERING NOT DESIGNED PROPERLY FOR THE WEIGHT CLASS OF TRUCK CONSTANTLY BREAKING CAUSING SLOPPY STEERING AND LOSS OF CONTROL 2 LEAF SPRINGS ON FRONT END ARE ONLY RATED TO A WEIGHT OF 1950LBS FOR A 1 TON TRUCK THAT WEIGHS ALMOST 9,000 POUNDS CAUSING SPRINGS TO BREAK OR WEAR PREMATURELY UNLESS YOU PAY FORD 2,000-5,000 DOLLARS TO OUR GRADE THE SUSPENSION
Mileage: 250,000
IMPROPER PROTECTION OF THE OIL PAN TO ELEMENTS CAUSES METAL PAN TO ROT PREMATURELY GEAR BOX FOR STEEERING NOT DESIGNED PROPERLY FOR THE WEIGHT CLASS OF TRUCK CONSTANTLY BREAKING CAUSING SLOPPY STEERING AND LOSS OF CONTROL 2 LEAF SPRINGS ON FRONT END ARE ONLY RATED TO A WEIGHT OF 1950LBS FOR A 1 TON TRUCK THAT WEIGHS ALMOST 9,000 POUNDS CAUSING SPRINGS TO BREAK OR WEAR PREMATURELY UNLESS YOU PAY FORD 2,000-5,000 DOLLARS TO OUR GRADE THE SUSPENSION
Mileage: 250,000
VSM HAS FAILED THIS CONTROLS THE DOOR AJAR AND POWER LOCKS. POWER LOCKS FAIL TO FUNCTION OR ARE HYPER ACTIVE (LOCKING AND UNLOCKING BY THEMSELVES). DOOR AJAR LIGHT FLASHING AND EMITTING A SOUND INDICATION A VEHICLE'S DOOR IS NOT SECURE WHILE DRIVING AFTER VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP.
Mileage: 142,000
PERIODICALLY, WHEN SETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS, IT WON'T IMMEDIATELY ENGAGE, WHICH MEANS THAT THERE IS A LOSS OF SPEED OF AROUND 5 MPH. THEN IT WILL ENGAGE, KICK DOWN A GEAR, AND ACCELERATE SUPER QUICK. SCARY IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED.
Mileage: 134,000
TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON INTERSTATE 8 JUST WEST OF CA/AZ BORDER AT 3PM PDT. WEATHER IS SUNNY WITH AMB TEMP APPROX 105 DEGREES. WITHOUT WARNING AN EXPLOSION / COMPLETE TIRE FAILURE. 2-3 SECONDS AFTER EXPLOSION TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATES FROM TIRE. DAMAGE TO LR BODY PANEL, WHEEL WELL AND ASSOCIATED PARTS. TIRE REPLACEMENT ALONG WITH REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF DAMAGED BODY PARTS DONE TO CORRECT PROBLEM.
Mileage: 119,500
AFTER EXPERIENCING TIRE FAILURE / TREAD SEPARATION ON LR TIRE, INSPECTION OF REMAINING TIRES PERFORMED FOR SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION. CRACKS NOTED IN TIRE ON RR WHICH WAS PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME AS LR BETWEEN TREAD AND SIDEWALL.
Mileage: 119,500
THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BUCKLE RELEASES UNEXPECTEDLY. WHEN I BEGAN TO RESEARCH HOW TO REPLACE THIS COMPONENT, I DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS AN NHTSA RECALL#01V227001, FORD RECALL# 01S21 ISSUED FOR THE SAME HAZARD. MY TRUCK WAS ASSEMBLED IN 2001 AT THE KENTUCKY PLANT BUT WHEN I CONTACTED FORD THEY EXPLAINED THAT MY TRUCK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. SINCE THIS IS SUCH A SAFETY HAZARD, I AM REPORTING TO YOU SO THAT YOU MAY CONSIDER EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF THIS RECALL. ALSO, WHAT ARE THE IDENTIFYING MARKS TO DETERMINE IF I DO INDEED HAVE THE FAULTY COMPONENTS IN MY VEHICLE? THE BUCKLES ARE TRW 33012760, THE DRIVERS SIDE IS EMBOSSED WITH #343013 AND THE PASSENGER SIDE IS EMBOSSED #321013. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
THE TIE ROD END AT THE PITMAN ARM SHEARED OFF SUDDENLY AT THE POINT WHERE THE BALL MEETS THE SHAFT OF THE TIE ROD CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THIS IS NOT A WEAR POINT AND IS NOT SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN INSPECTED SINCE IT IS COVERED WITH A RUBBER BOOT, THE STEEL LOOKS AS IF IT FATIGUED OVER TIME LEADING TO THE SUDDEN FAILURE. LUCKILY THIS OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT, HAD IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY SOMEONE ELSE WOULD HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN WRITING THIS. *TR
Mileage: 198,000
LEFT FRONT TIRE THREAD SEPARATED WHILE TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON I75 AT MILE MARKER 311. SEPARATION CAUSED TRUCK TO VEER LEFT INTO THE MEDIAN GUARD RAIL AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND CONTINUE ALONG GUARD RAIL UNTIL STOPPED. 911 CALLED WHICH BROUGHT EMS AND FHP. AAA CALLED WHICH BROUGHT WRECKER. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SHAKEN UP WITH PASSENGER BEING TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL BY EMS FOR HYPERTENSION/HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. FHP FILED REPORT, CASE #FHPC140FF039496. WRECKER REMOVED TRUCK FRONT LEFT WHEEL/TIRE FROM UNDER GUARD RAIL AND TRANSPORTED TO IMPOUND LOT. DAMAGE TO LEFT FRONT OF TRUCK AND ALONG LEFT SIDE TO REAR DUAL WHEELS; FRONT BUMPER, FRONT GRILL, BROKEN STEERING ROD, LEFT FENDER, LEFT WHEEL, LEFT SIDE OF HOOD, DRIVER'S DOOR, AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR. UNKNOWN CONDITION OF FRONT 4WD AXLE OR FRAME. *TR
Mileage: 114,254
LEFT FRONT TIRE THREAD SEPARATED WHILE TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON I75 AT MILE MARKER 311. SEPARATION CAUSED TRUCK TO VEER LEFT INTO THE MEDIAN GUARD RAIL AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND CONTINUE ALONG GUARD RAIL UNTIL STOPPED. 911 CALLED WHICH BROUGHT EMS AND FHP. AAA CALLED WHICH BROUGHT WRECKER. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SHAKEN UP WITH PASSENGER BEING TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL BY EMS FOR HYPERTENSION/HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. FHP FILED REPORT, CASE #FHPC140FF039496. WRECKER REMOVED TRUCK FRONT LEFT WHEEL/TIRE FROM UNDER GUARD RAIL AND TRANSPORTED TO IMPOUND LOT. DAMAGE TO LEFT FRONT OF TRUCK AND ALONG LEFT SIDE TO REAR DUAL WHEELS; FRONT BUMPER, FRONT GRILL, BROKEN STEERING ROD, LEFT FENDER, LEFT WHEEL, LEFT SIDE OF HOOD, DRIVER'S DOOR, AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR. UNKNOWN CONDITION OF FRONT 4WD AXLE OR FRAME. *TR
Mileage: 114,254
LEFT FRONT TIRE THREAD SEPARATED WHILE TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON I75 AT MILE MARKER 311. SEPARATION CAUSED TRUCK TO VEER LEFT INTO THE MEDIAN GUARD RAIL AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND CONTINUE ALONG GUARD RAIL UNTIL STOPPED. 911 CALLED WHICH BROUGHT EMS AND FHP. AAA CALLED WHICH BROUGHT WRECKER. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SHAKEN UP WITH PASSENGER BEING TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL BY EMS FOR HYPERTENSION/HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. FHP FILED REPORT, CASE #FHPC140FF039496. WRECKER REMOVED TRUCK FRONT LEFT WHEEL/TIRE FROM UNDER GUARD RAIL AND TRANSPORTED TO IMPOUND LOT. DAMAGE TO LEFT FRONT OF TRUCK AND ALONG LEFT SIDE TO REAR DUAL WHEELS; FRONT BUMPER, FRONT GRILL, BROKEN STEERING ROD, LEFT FENDER, LEFT WHEEL, LEFT SIDE OF HOOD, DRIVER'S DOOR, AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR. UNKNOWN CONDITION OF FRONT 4WD AXLE OR FRAME. *TR
Mileage: 114,254
THIS SPECTOR TIRE JUST BLEW UP. THE TIRE SEPARATED AT THE TREAD AND SPLIT OPEN 6-8 INCHES. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECELERATING, A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE LEAF SPRING WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC BUT WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 256,000.
Mileage: 256,000
ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE A CONTINUOUS CUT ALL THE WAY AROUND THE SIDEWALL. BF GOODRICH LT285/75R16. *TR
Mileage: 105,500
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PLUGGED AN ENGINE BLOCK WARMER UP FOR APPROXIMATELY 1.5 HOURS. THE CONTACT LATER HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. *TR
Mileage: 150,000
I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK FOR ABOUT ONE YEAR AND HAVE BLOWN FOUR SPARK PLUGS SO FAR. *TR
Mileage: 69,000
2002 FORD F-350, 7.3 LTR DIESEL DISPLAYED LOSS OF POWER AND SEVERE SHAKING AT LOWER RPM'S WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK TO FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A DELAMINATE PROBLEM INSIDE THE FUEL TANK AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WOULD COST IN EXCESS OF $2800 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM ON THE HIGHWAY AS I COULD ONLY MAINTAIN 25 MPH ( HIGHWAY MINIMUM IS 45 MPH) IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT DOWN FOR A SHORT TIME THE PROBLEM RESOLVED ITSELF AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE ON ONLY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REOCCUR SEVERAL MILES LATER. I NOTICED THAT THIS PROBLEM BASICALLY OCCURS WHEN UNDER LOAD AND WHEN EXTRA THROTTLE IS NEEDED. *TR
Mileage: 417,247
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT IDENTIFIED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V352000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V352000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS) RECALLS; HOWEVER, THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Mileage: 189,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NOT OPERATE WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS, BLINKERS OR BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT ASSIST THE CONTACT WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,818 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 171,000.
Mileage: 151,818
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
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.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.