FORD FORD TRUCK · model year

2002 FORD FORD TRUCK

54 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002FORDFORD TRUCK carries 54 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 5 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 FORD TRUCK is power train:automatic transmission with 7 filings, followed by power train (3) and structure:body:hatchback/liftgate (3). 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 1 investigation file overlapping the 2002 FORD TRUCK. 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.

54
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

54 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7
POWER TRAIN3
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE3
SUSPENSION:FRONT2
STRUCTURE2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY2
TIRES2
AIR BAGS2
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
ENGINE2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING1
SUSPENSION1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT1
EQUIPMENT1

Recent Complaints

20220201SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Think Neighbor. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle and attempting to secure the front driver’s seat belt latch into the buckle, the seat belt latch failed to lock into place. The seat belt loosened and unlatched from the buckle while the contact was driving. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

Mileage: 20,000

20141122ENGINE

FORD F 250 TRITON V10 NO. 2 SPARK PLUG AND COIL BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE HEAD. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND OTHERS. FORD WILL CHARGE 650.00 TO FIX. *TR

Mileage: 207,653

20141122ENGINE

FORD F 250 TRITON V10 NO. 2 SPARK PLUG AND COIL BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE HEAD. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND OTHERS. FORD WILL CHARGE 650.00 TO FIX. *TR

Mileage: 207,653

20141122FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FORD F 250 TRITON V10 NO. 2 SPARK PLUG AND COIL BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE HEAD. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND OTHERS. FORD WILL CHARGE 650.00 TO FIX. *TR

Mileage: 207,653

20141122POWER TRAIN

FORD F 250 TRITON V10 NO. 2 SPARK PLUG AND COIL BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE HEAD. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND OTHERS. FORD WILL CHARGE 650.00 TO FIX. *TR

Mileage: 207,653

20090502CrashSUSPENSION:FRONT

WHILE GOING AROUND A HAIRPIN TURN THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE FELL OFF ROTOR AND ALL, THIS INCIDENT CAUSED THE 2002 FORD LIGHTNING TRUCK TO SLIDE INTO THE CURB CAUSING THE TRUCK TO ROLL COMPLETELY OVER LANDING BACK ON IT'S 3 TIRES THAT WERE LEFT. FROM THE LOOK OF IT THE AXLE BOLT FELL OFF CAUSING THE TIRE TO FALL OFF. DRIVER WAS GOING UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT & NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED. ACCORDING TO A FRIEND THIS SAME INCIDENT HAPPENED TO HIS LIGHTNING TRUCK. SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT ON FORDS PART. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

20080124POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND HARD BANG WHEN IT GO INTO GEAR. FORD SERVICE DEPT.DIAOGNOSE TRANS OP, NO CODES,LINE PRESSURE TEST.R110-N-75 OD95 L-95. R&R TRANSMISSION PAN FOR INSPECTION, PIECES OF BRASS BUSHINGS IN PAN. R&R TRANS TO OVERHAUL. REPLACED OD PLANETARY ASSY .BUSHINGS BETWEEN GEARS COME APART) FLUSHED COLLING LINES,REPLACED CONVERTER(METAL CONTAMINATION.) REPLACED VALVE BODY(VALVES STICKING). CLEARED PCM MEMORY & REFLASHED PCM. ROAD TEST. ALL THE ABOVE WORK WAS DONE ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE. WHEN I DROVE THE TRUCK I COULD HEAR A NOISE THAT WASN'T THERE BEFORE, I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER AND CHECKED THINGS OUT AND TOLD ME EVERY THING WAS FINE, BUT IT WASN'T. *TR

Mileage: 27,708

20080124POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND HARD BANG WHEN IT GO INTO GEAR. FORD SERVICE DEPT.DIAOGNOSE TRANS OP, NO CODES,LINE PRESSURE TEST.R110-N-75 OD95 L-95. R&R TRANSMISSION PAN FOR INSPECTION, PIECES OF BRASS BUSHINGS IN PAN. R&R TRANS TO OVERHAUL. REPLACED OD PLANETARY ASSY .BUSHINGS BETWEEN GEARS COME APART) FLUSHED COLLING LINES,REPLACED CONVERTER(METAL CONTAMINATION.) REPLACED VALVE BODY(VALVES STICKING). CLEARED PCM MEMORY & REFLASHED PCM. ROAD TEST. ALL THE ABOVE WORK WAS DONE ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE. WHEN I DROVE THE TRUCK I COULD HEAR A NOISE THAT WASN'T THERE BEFORE, I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER AND CHECKED THINGS OUT AND TOLD ME EVERY THING WAS FINE, BUT IT WASN'T. *TR

Mileage: 27,708

20080124INTERIOR LIGHTING

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND HARD BANG WHEN IT GO INTO GEAR. FORD SERVICE DEPT.DIAOGNOSE TRANS OP, NO CODES,LINE PRESSURE TEST.R110-N-75 OD95 L-95. R&R TRANSMISSION PAN FOR INSPECTION, PIECES OF BRASS BUSHINGS IN PAN. R&R TRANS TO OVERHAUL. REPLACED OD PLANETARY ASSY .BUSHINGS BETWEEN GEARS COME APART) FLUSHED COLLING LINES,REPLACED CONVERTER(METAL CONTAMINATION.) REPLACED VALVE BODY(VALVES STICKING). CLEARED PCM MEMORY & REFLASHED PCM. ROAD TEST. ALL THE ABOVE WORK WAS DONE ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE. WHEN I DROVE THE TRUCK I COULD HEAR A NOISE THAT WASN'T THERE BEFORE, I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER AND CHECKED THINGS OUT AND TOLD ME EVERY THING WAS FINE, BUT IT WASN'T. *TR

Mileage: 27,708

20080124POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND HARD BANG WHEN IT GO INTO GEAR. FORD SERVICE DEPT.DIAOGNOSE TRANS OP, NO CODES,LINE PRESSURE TEST.R110-N-75 OD95 L-95. R&R TRANSMISSION PAN FOR INSPECTION, PIECES OF BRASS BUSHINGS IN PAN. R&R TRANS TO OVERHAUL. REPLACED OD PLANETARY ASSY .BUSHINGS BETWEEN GEARS COME APART) FLUSHED COLLING LINES,REPLACED CONVERTER(METAL CONTAMINATION.) REPLACED VALVE BODY(VALVES STICKING). CLEARED PCM MEMORY & REFLASHED PCM. ROAD TEST. ALL THE ABOVE WORK WAS DONE ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE. WHEN I DROVE THE TRUCK I COULD HEAR A NOISE THAT WASN'T THERE BEFORE, I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER AND CHECKED THINGS OUT AND TOLD ME EVERY THING WAS FINE, BUT IT WASN'T. *TR

Mileage: 27,708

20080103STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

2002 FORD EXPLORER VERY COLD NIGHT NOTICED A HUGE CRACK IN THE REAR PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW RIGHT OUT OF NOWHERE THE CAR WAS FINE HOURS BEFORE AND AS I WALKED PAST IT AGAIN SAW A HUGE CRACK BY THE EMBLEM AND UNDER.*CN

20071220POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITH MY 2 CHILDREN 2 AND 10 YEAR. DROPPING THE 2 YEAR OLD OFF TO SCHOOL. STOP THE VEHICLE GO TO PUT THE SHIFT GEAR INTO PARK, BREAKS RIGHT OFF IN HAND, IF THE RUBBER WASN'T AROUND IT, I COULD HAVE WALKED OUT OF THE CAR WITH IT. I WAS STUCK THERE KEEPING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES BECAUSE THE GEAR WAS ALSO STUCK BETWEEN REVERSE AND PARK. *TR

Mileage: 27,600

20071028POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION TAKES 3-5 SECONDS TO GO INTO REVERSE THIS IN ITS SELF DANGEROUS WHEN NEEDING A QUICK REVERSE. THE MAIN REASON FOR A COMPLAINT IN TRANSMISSION NEEDING TO BE REBUILT AFTER ONLY 45,000 I DON'T TOW ANYTHING AND AM A GOOD DRIVER I KNOW OTHERS WITH SAME VEHICLE SAME PROBLEM TAKE NOTE UHAUL WILL NOT RENT TO EXPLORER OWNERS BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION (CALL UHAUL AND FIND THIS OUT). *TR

Mileage: 45,000

20070825POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

UNSAFE TRANSMISSION FORD CAN T FIX IT LOCKED TRANSMISSION UP AND I SHOWED UP AT DEALER WITH WHITE SMOKE CLOUD BEHIND THE CAR FORD STILL INSISTS NOTHING WRONG. *TR

Mileage: 59,000

20070822VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

THE MIRRORS ON BOTH MY 2002 FORD SPORT TRAC AND 2002 FORD RANGER DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE MIRRORS (X4) ARE ELECTRIC AND WILL NOT MOVE TO THE RIGHT. THEY WORK IN THE AXIS OF LEFT, UP, AND DOWN. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHERS WHO HAVE THE SAME TYPE OF MIRROR ON THEIR 2002 VEHICLES AND ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

20070728AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

TIRE TREAD PEALED OFF MY TIRE CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGES TO MY SIDE STEP, THE METAL AROUND MY TIRE WHEEL GOT BENT UP INTO MY DOOR AND TORE OFF ALL MY WHEEL WELL PLASTIC. ALMOST CAUSED MY FRONT BUMPER TO COME OFF IT IS NOW TORN ON THAT SIDE AND A PLASTIC PIECE UNDER THE BUMPER IS BARELY HANGING IN THERE. I STILL HAVE THE TIRE AS IT DIDN'T DEFLATE. MY STEERING WHEEL CLICKS AND MAKES MY CAR SKIP WHEN I MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. AS IF THE TIRES ARE NOT TURNING CORRECTLY. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON! *TR

20070728TIRES

TIRE TREAD PEALED OFF MY TIRE CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGES TO MY SIDE STEP, THE METAL AROUND MY TIRE WHEEL GOT BENT UP INTO MY DOOR AND TORE OFF ALL MY WHEEL WELL PLASTIC. ALMOST CAUSED MY FRONT BUMPER TO COME OFF IT IS NOW TORN ON THAT SIDE AND A PLASTIC PIECE UNDER THE BUMPER IS BARELY HANGING IN THERE. I STILL HAVE THE TIRE AS IT DIDN'T DEFLATE. MY STEERING WHEEL CLICKS AND MAKES MY CAR SKIP WHEN I MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. AS IF THE TIRES ARE NOT TURNING CORRECTLY. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON! *TR

20070728STRUCTURE

TIRE TREAD PEALED OFF MY TIRE CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGES TO MY SIDE STEP, THE METAL AROUND MY TIRE WHEEL GOT BENT UP INTO MY DOOR AND TORE OFF ALL MY WHEEL WELL PLASTIC. ALMOST CAUSED MY FRONT BUMPER TO COME OFF IT IS NOW TORN ON THAT SIDE AND A PLASTIC PIECE UNDER THE BUMPER IS BARELY HANGING IN THERE. I STILL HAVE THE TIRE AS IT DIDN'T DEFLATE. MY STEERING WHEEL CLICKS AND MAKES MY CAR SKIP WHEN I MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. AS IF THE TIRES ARE NOT TURNING CORRECTLY. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON! *TR

20070717STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE FLAWED DESIGN OF FORD EXPLORER LIFTGATES. 2002 AND 2003 VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED, BUT I WAS SURE THERE WERE MORE. THE BACK PANEL CRACKED COMPLETELY DOWN THE PANEL SEPARATING THE TWO SIDES. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE END RESULT COULD BE BUT IT CERTAINLY LOOKED LIKE A PIECE COULD FLY OFF AND INTERFERE WITH FOLLOWING VEHICLES. THERE WERE HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WITH THE SAME EXACT CRACK, AND FORD RECEIVED HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS BUT REFUSED TO FIX IT SO FAR. AS USUAL, THEY WILL PROBABLY WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE WAS HURT OR WORSE BEFORE TAKING ACTION. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.*AK

Mileage: 102,000

20070717STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN DECEMBER 2006. IN JANUARY 2007 I AWOKE TO CLEAR THE SNOW OFF MY VEHICLE WHEN I NOTICED A HUGE CRACK ON THE BACK PANEL UNDER THE TAILGATE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FORD IMMEDIATELY, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THAT IT WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. WHEN TEMPERATURES REACHED A HIGH THE CRACK THEN EXPANDED AND THE CRACK WAS NOT NOTICABLE. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GOT COLD AGAIN THE CRACK WAS VERY APPARRENT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THERE WAS A FAULT WITH THIS PANEL, BUT ERE NOT ABLE TO COVER IT. *AK

Mileage: 72,000

Compare 2002FORDFORD TRUCK to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 FORD FORD TRUCK have?
The 2002 FORD FORD TRUCK has 54 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 FORD FORD TRUCK?
The most-complained component for the 2002 FORD FORD TRUCK is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE.
Is the 2002 FORD FORD TRUCK 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.