Total Complaints
8 filings
FORD F SERIES (HEAVY) · model year
2002 FORD F SERIES (HEAVY)
8 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002FORDF SERIES (HEAVY) carries 8 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 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 F SERIES (HEAVY) is power train with 2 filings, followed by structure:frame and members (1) and steering (1). 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.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2002 F SERIES (HEAVY), 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.
8
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 |
| ENGINE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20141231ENGINE
#4 SPARKPLUG EJECTED *JS
Mileage: 70,500
20140626FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ON 06/25/2014 I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY 7.3 LITRE DIESEL SOUTH ON RT. 81 IN SYRACUSE NY. AT EXIT 81 AND IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC WHEN I LOST ALL ENGINE POWER. THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON BUT WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR NOTHING HAPPENED. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT THE TRUCK WOULD NOT GO. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE INTENDING TO GO SOUTH ON 81 WITH A BARRIER ON MY LEFT AND NO SHOULDER TO ESCAPE TRAFFIC. I SIGNALED AND DRIFTED OVER TO THE RIGHT AND ENDED UP STOPPING IN AN AREA BETWEEN THE RT 81 LANE AND AN EXIT RAMP. WHILE DOING THIS I HAD SLOWED CONSIDERABLY AS THE TRUCK HAD NO POWER AND CARS AND TRUCKS BEHIND ME HAD TO SWERVE AND BRAKE ABRUPTLY TO AVOID STRIKING ME. THE AREA WHERE I FINALLY CAME TO REST WAS DIRECTLY BETWEEN THE TWO LANES WITHOUT ROOM ON EITHER SIDE. I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE TRUCK TO TRY TO EVALUATE THE SITUATION BUT TRAFFIC WAS TRAVELING WITHIN A FOOT OR TWO OF THE TRUCK. I CONTACTED AAA AND HAD TO WAIT IN THIS VERY HAZARDOUS POSITION FOR ABO
Mileage: 92,000
20140626POWER TRAIN
ON 06/25/2014 I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY 7.3 LITRE DIESEL SOUTH ON RT. 81 IN SYRACUSE NY. AT EXIT 81 AND IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC WHEN I LOST ALL ENGINE POWER. THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON BUT WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR NOTHING HAPPENED. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT THE TRUCK WOULD NOT GO. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE INTENDING TO GO SOUTH ON 81 WITH A BARRIER ON MY LEFT AND NO SHOULDER TO ESCAPE TRAFFIC. I SIGNALED AND DRIFTED OVER TO THE RIGHT AND ENDED UP STOPPING IN AN AREA BETWEEN THE RT 81 LANE AND AN EXIT RAMP. WHILE DOING THIS I HAD SLOWED CONSIDERABLY AS THE TRUCK HAD NO POWER AND CARS AND TRUCKS BEHIND ME HAD TO SWERVE AND BRAKE ABRUPTLY TO AVOID STRIKING ME. THE AREA WHERE I FINALLY CAME TO REST WAS DIRECTLY BETWEEN THE TWO LANES WITHOUT ROOM ON EITHER SIDE. I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE TRUCK TO TRY TO EVALUATE THE SITUATION BUT TRAFFIC WAS TRAVELING WITHIN A FOOT OR TWO OF THE TRUCK. I CONTACTED AAA AND HAD TO WAIT IN THIS VERY HAZARDOUS POSITION FOR ABO
Mileage: 92,000
20140404POWER TRAIN
ENGAGE CLUTCH PEDAL AND CLUTCH PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THEY HAVE A PLASTIC BUSHING THAT GOES AROUND A STEEL BALL FITTING TO HOLD CLUTCH CABLE TO CLUTCH PEDAL. IT IS SO BAD I CARRY EXTRA PLASTIC BUSHINGS WITH ME IN CASE OF FAILURE. MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN I HAVE A FULLY LOADED TRUCK WITH CAMPER AND HORSE TRAILER IN TOE. I AM STUCK WITH A TRUCK STUCK IN GEAR AND NO WAY TO DISENGAGE CLUTCH. EVEN EMPTY THIS IS A SCARY UNCOMFORTABLE EXPERIENCE. THEY SHOULD HAVE A SOLID PIN FOR A CONNECTION NOT A CHEAP $5.00 PART THAT BREAKS EVERY 30,000 MILES. I HOPE THIS CAN BE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR
Mileage: 84,000
20110312FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT. # 2 PLUG PASSENGER SIDE.THIS HAPPENED YESTERDAY MARCH 11,2011. MY TRUCK HAS 37,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A FORD F-150, 7700 SERIES WITH A 5.4 ENGINE.WHERE IS THE RECALL ON THIS TRUCK.AFTER READING ALL THE PROBLEMS,WITH THE SAME THING. WHAT A SLAP IN THE FACE BY FORD. AND YET NO RECALL MANDATED BY THE FEDS. WHAT A COUNTRY WE LIVE IN? *TR
Mileage: 37,400
20050926POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT APPROX 40,150 MILES. *JB
Mileage: 40,150
20050816CrashSTEERING
THIS PROBLEM BEGAN WHEN THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP. WE DIDN'T FIND OUT THE REAL PROBLEM UNTIL ABOUT A FEW MONTHS AGO. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS NO FIX HAVE TO LEAVE WITH THE PROBLEM. WHEN YOU ARE GOING AT SLOW SPEEDS WITH THE VEHICLE YOU ARE UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THEY SAID ITS THE BOOSTER IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS DESIGNED THEY ONLY BUT ONE FOR THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING. SO WHEN YOU BRAKE AT ANYTIME YOU NO LONGER HAVE STEERING. THIS MEANS YOUR ANTILOCK BRAKES WILL NOT WORK. WE HAVE HAD A MINOR ACCIDENT NO ONE HURT AND NOT ENOUGH DAMAGE TO CLAIM. BUT THERE HAS BEEN MANY CLOSE CALLS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE WENT TO FORD AND THEY SAY LIVE WITH IT. LAWYERS SAY THERE IS A SUIT BUT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO HANDLE UNLESS A WRECK AND SOMEONE GETS HURT OR DIES THEN THEY WOULD CONSIDER THE CAUSE. EVEN THE WORKERS AT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS A SAFETY PROBLEM BUT FORD TOLD THEM NOT TO EVEN TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY COME IN BECAUSE THERE IS NO FIX. SINCE THIS MISDES
Mileage: 62,000
20050523STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
DT: CALLER SAYS THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRAMES ON 3 AMBULANCES; AND THEY WERE ADVISED TO REPORT THIS TO NHTSA. *AK
Mileage: 117,232
Compare 2002FORDF SERIES (HEAVY) to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 8 Open
EA26001Engineering AnalysisOpen
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
PE25020Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Timing Belt Failure
DP25001Defect PetitionOpen
Underbody shields detachment
PE25007Preliminary EvaluationOpen
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
PE25002Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2002 FORD F SERIES (HEAVY) have?▼
The 2002 FORD F SERIES (HEAVY) has 8 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 FORD F SERIES (HEAVY)?▼
The most-complained component for the 2002 FORD F SERIES (HEAVY) is POWER TRAIN with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS and STEERING.
Is the 2002 FORD F SERIES (HEAVY) 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.