FORD F-550 SD · model year

2002 FORD F-550 SD

31 NHTSA complaints, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002FORDF-550 SD carries 31 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, 1 injury, 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-550 SD is fuel system, diesel with 7 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic (3) and engine and engine cooling:engine (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 5 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-550 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.

31
Complaints
0
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

31 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
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR1
STEERING1
WHEELS1
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE1
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY1
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM1

Recalls (5)

07E10600017/12/2007

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

09V39900013/10/2009

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

11V35200013/07/2011

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

07V55300005/12/2007

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.

06V28600001/08/2006

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Recent Complaints

20200122FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CONNECTOR #270B MELTED AT CENTRAL JUNCTION CONNECTOR. VEHICLE WAS BOTH IN MOTION AND PARKED

Mileage: 25,000

20140514FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-550 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THICK WHITE SMOKE WAS SEEN FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. DURING THE INCIDENT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND SHOULDER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000.

Mileage: 212,000

20120517FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

2002 FORD F550 FLATBED TRUCK. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ALL OF THE TIRES WERE DRY ROTTED, TO THE POINT THEY COULD NOT BE RE-TREADED. THE REAR BRAKES AND WHEEL SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL SENDING ASSEMBLY FAILED, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 1251.46. THE UPPER SHOCKS WERE RUSTED, THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND MARKER ASSEMBLY WERE BROKEN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE PASSED DOT INSPECTION. *JB

20120517SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2002 FORD F550 FLATBED TRUCK. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ALL OF THE TIRES WERE DRY ROTTED, TO THE POINT THEY COULD NOT BE RE-TREADED. THE REAR BRAKES AND WHEEL SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL SENDING ASSEMBLY FAILED, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 1251.46. THE UPPER SHOCKS WERE RUSTED, THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND MARKER ASSEMBLY WERE BROKEN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE PASSED DOT INSPECTION. *JB

20120517EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2002 FORD F550 FLATBED TRUCK. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ALL OF THE TIRES WERE DRY ROTTED, TO THE POINT THEY COULD NOT BE RE-TREADED. THE REAR BRAKES AND WHEEL SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL SENDING ASSEMBLY FAILED, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 1251.46. THE UPPER SHOCKS WERE RUSTED, THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND MARKER ASSEMBLY WERE BROKEN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE PASSED DOT INSPECTION. *JB

20120517TIRES

2002 FORD F550 FLATBED TRUCK. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ALL OF THE TIRES WERE DRY ROTTED, TO THE POINT THEY COULD NOT BE RE-TREADED. THE REAR BRAKES AND WHEEL SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL SENDING ASSEMBLY FAILED, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 1251.46. THE UPPER SHOCKS WERE RUSTED, THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND MARKER ASSEMBLY WERE BROKEN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE PASSED DOT INSPECTION. *JB

20111202FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

DRIVING VEHICLE, VEHICLE LOST POWER. DRIVER JUST MADE IT OFF THE ROAD. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. BEING TOLD THAT THE FUEL TANK IS DE-LAMINATING. THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE FUEL SYSTEM. TOTAL COST $3,500.00. CALLED FORD, THEY ARE SAYING THERE IS NO KNOWN PROBLEM. WHEN I DO A GOOGLE SEARCH SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ARE POSTED ON DIFFERENT SITES ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH SEVERAL YEARS ARE AFFECTED. *TR

20100615FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

FORD F550 TRUCK HAS FUEL TANK PROBLEM. FUEL LINES, PUMP, FILTER & INJECTORS GETTING CLOGGED DUE TO FLAKING ON THE INSIDE OF THE TANK. ISSUE BLAMED ON POOR DIESEL FUEL, BUT HAVE RESEARCHED SEVERAL OTHER CASES ALL REPORTING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. FORD IS TAKING NO RESPONSIBILITY. TRUCK WILL LOSE POWER AND STALL WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 142,000

20091120FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

VEHICLE HAD LOSS OF POWER AND RAN ROUGH. FINALLY VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. THE CULPRIT WAS THE FORD FUEL TANK THAT HAD DELAMINATED. THE TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST: $1600.00. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF REVENUE AS THIS VEHICLE IS USED FOR PRODUCTION PURPOSES. FORD DENIED RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DEFECTS OF THEIR FUEL TANKS. WITH NO OTHER CHOICE, WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THESE VEHICLES ARE USED FOR COMMERCIAL USAGE DAILY. THIS IS ALSO A FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT HAS BEEN FORCED ONTO US UNFAIRLY. THEY NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL THESE FUEL TANKS. *TR

Mileage: 60,507

20090423FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

SERVICING DEALER JUST ADVISED THAT THE DIESEL FUEL TANK IS DELAMINATING FROM THE INSIDE AND CAUSING FUEL LINE, FUEL FILTER, AND FUEL INJECTOR CLOGGING. ALTHOUGH WE ALWAYS USED CLEAN DIESEL ONLY, DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT SAY WHAT CAUSED PROBLEM BUT WELL AWARE OF IT. QUOTED $3,500.00 TO REPLACE FUEL TANK AND SENDING UNIT. OUTRAGEOUS. ESPECIALLY WHEN CAUSING STALLING AND LOSS OF POWER DURING DRIVING AND POSSIBLY CAUSING ACCIDENT. FOUND LOTS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THROUGH INTERNET SEARCH. *TR

Mileage: 108,280

20090114FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

MY 2002 FOR F 550 WAS DRIVING AND LOST POWER IN TRAFFIC EVENTUALLY LOSING POWER AND STALLING IN TRAFFIC ON A VERY BUSY ROAD. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSIDE OF THE GAS TANK WAS DELAMINATING WHICH CAUSED A FAILURE IN THE GAS TANK, FAILURE IN THE SENDING UNIT,THE FAILURE IN THE FUEL PUMP,AND THE FAILURE OF THE FILTERS. FORD HAS ALSO ADVISED ME OF POSSIBLE DESTROYED FUEL INJECTORS. FORD TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT IN THE FUEL TANK. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

20081124SUSPENSION:REAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F550 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED, WHICH WAS A RESULT OF A DEFECT REPAIR BY THE FONTAINE MODIFICATION COMPANY. THE COMPANY SENT NOTIFICATIONS TO THE VEHICLES THAT HAD A DEFECT WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ON THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND HE CALLED THE FONTAINE MODIFICATION COMPANY IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT. THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONTACT HAS CALLED AND WRITTEN LETTERS TO THE COMPANY SINCE THAT TIME, BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Mileage: 125,000

20080916FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

2002 FORD F550 SUPER DUTY DIESEL WITH 44,000 MILES HAS A RUSTING FUEL TANK CAUSING THE FUEL FILTER, PUMP, AND INJECTORS TO GET CLOGGED. ONLY DIESEL FUEL HAS BEEN USED. WHEN UNDER ANY STRAIN OR LOAD THE ENGINE WITH BEGIN TO LOSE POWER AND SPUTTER. ONCE THE ENGINE RUNS FOR A FEW MINUTES AT IDLE IT SEEMS TO CLEAR UP AGAIN UNTIL LOAD IS PUT ON THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK IS ONLY POSSIBLE TO MOVE AROUND AT A CRAWL. THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED AND IT WAS COMPLETELY COVERED WITH RUST. THERE WHERE FINES AND LARGER PARTICLES WHICH WERE OBVIOUSLY RUST. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR REPLACEMENT TANKS WITHOUT SUCCESS. *TR

Mileage: 44,000

20080422POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

THE FRONT AXLE TUBE IS BROKEN AND CRACKED THROUGH WHERE THE CENTERING SUPPORT ROD ATTACHES TO THE AXLE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT FELL DOWN ONTO THE CENTER LINK OF THE STEERING WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING TO BIND AND NOT TURN FREELY. THIS HAPPENED IN OUR CORPORATION YARD,BUT HAD IT HAPPENED ON THE ROAD IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND VERY PROBABLY PERSONAL INJURY. THERE IS NO IMPACT DAMAGE OF ANY KIND TO THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE OF GREAT MAGNITUDE. I INFORMED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY ARE LOOKING INTO IT. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 58,469

20061201STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

2002 F550'S POWER STEERING MECHANISM IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT BROKE OFF AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. *TS A VACUUM FOR THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES BROKE. *NM

20061201SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2002 F550'S POWER STEERING MECHANISM IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT BROKE OFF AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. *TS A VACUUM FOR THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES BROKE. *NM

20060613FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FUEL TANK ON 2002 F SERIES FORD DUMP TRUCKS ARE COATED WITH A SUBSTANCE THAT BREAKS DOWN AND CAUSES BLOCKAGE OF FUEL LINES; ORIGINAL TANK REPLACED AUGUST 2005 SAME PROBLEM WITH REPLACEMENT TANK, 6/06: COATING BREAKING DOWN; CAUSING ENGINE TO SHUT OFF; EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND OFFERS NO WARNING. *JB UPDATED 10/04/06. *JB

Mileage: 108,000

20060503FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

FUEL TANK FAILURE ON F450 AND F550 FORD CHASSIS. WE HAVE 2 F450 AND 4 F550 BUSES WITH FACTORY INSTALLED FUEL TANKS. THE F550S HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND ARE FAILING THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME WITH NO RECOGNITION CONTINUED PROBLEM FROM FORD. ONE OF OUR F450S FAILED TODAY. SAME PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO FAILURE OF THE INTERNAL COATING IN THE TANK. ALL FAILURES ARE THE SAME. I BELIEVE THE CAUSE IS IMPROPER APPLICATION OF THE COATING OR THE WRONG COATING IS BEING USED. I'M SURE WE ARE NOT THE ONLY COMPANY IN THE US TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. THE COST TO REPLACE THE TANK IS APPROXIMATELY $2000. *JB

Mileage: 65,000

20051228FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2002 FORD F550 ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS *JB

20050604SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

BRACKET SUSPENSION FAILURE ALLOWS REAR END TO SHIFT OVER 6 - 8 INCHES PUNCTURING THE FUEL TANK AND RENDERING THE VEHICLE MOTIONLESS.

Mileage: 17,237

Compare 2002FORDF-550 SD to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 FORD F-550 SD have?
The 2002 FORD F-550 SD has 31 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 FORD F-550 SD?
Yes, the 2002 FORD F-550 SD has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is WHEELS:HUB. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 FORD F-550 SD?
The most-complained component for the 2002 FORD F-550 SD is FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 2002 FORD F-550 SD 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.