2002 Ford F-150 recalls & problems

10 recalls 821 complaints 3 investigations

10recalls
821owner complaints
51crashes reported
95fires reported
85 / 0injuries / deaths

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls for the 2002 Ford F-150 and 821 owner complaints. The part owners complain about most is engine and engine cooling (197 reports), followed by electrical system (110). NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations that include this vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers – enter your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car still has an open recall.

2002 Ford F-150 recalls

Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 11V385000 · Jul 29, 2011

Problem: Ford is recalling certain 1997 through 2003 model year ford f-150, 2004 model year ford f-150 heritage, 1997 through 1999 model year f-250 less than 8,500 lbs. Gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr), and 2002 and 2003 lincoln blackwood vehicles manufactured from june 20, 1995, through august 4, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland,…

Risk: As a result of the corrosion, one or both straps may fail allowing the fuel lines to separate from the tank, or in some cases, causing the tank to contact the ground. Either scenario may result in a fuel leak presenting a fire hazard.

Fix: Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a ford or lincoln dealer to have the fuel tank straps replaced with straps that have increased corrosion protection. Early in this campaign, if replacement straps are not available, dealers may install a cable support under the…

1,100,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 09E025000 · May 11, 2009

Problem: 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, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.

Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on july 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

42,540 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009

Problem: 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, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.

Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on may 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

16,270 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 08E050000 · Aug 11, 2008

Problem: K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Risk: Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

Fix: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact k2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

1,921 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Equipment · NHTSA 07E066000 · Aug 28, 2007

Problem: Certain cequent 90 degree 7-way right angle adaptors sold by distributors in tow packages for aftermarket sales to tow 5TH wheel rv travel trailers. Due to incorrect wiring of the harness, the trailer lights may not operate properly.

Risk: If the trailer lights are not working properly, a vehicle crash can occur.

Fix: All of the defective tow packages are still at the distributor level and have not been sold to any consumers.

175 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 06E067000 · Aug 1, 2006

Problem: Certain maxzone headlight assemblies, depo brand, p/nos. 331-1129L-asn and 331-1129R-asn, sold for use as aftermarket equipment for the above listed passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the photometric requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Maxzone will notify owners and offer reimbursement for any noncompliant headlights. The recall began on july 28, 2006. Owners may contact maxzone at 909-822-3288.

19,413 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 06E065000 · Jul 17, 2006

Problem: Certain aj motorsport combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

Risk: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Aj motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the lamps. The recall began on july 31, 2006. Owners may contact aj motorsport at 626-618-2026.

3,593 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 06E056000 · Jun 13, 2006

Problem: Certain aftermarket fuel filters sold under the purolator brand name, p/n f65277, shipped from january 16 through june 2, 2006, for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Due to incorrect design, the quick connectors may not fully seat with the tube interface, even though the person making the connection may believe that the quick connector is fully attached.

Risk: Failure of this connection could lead to fuel spillage and, in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.

Fix: Ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. The recall began on august 4, 2006. Owners may contact ufi filters USA at 800-230-5876.

58,640 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 06E052000 · Jun 12, 2006

Problem: Certain eagle eyes headlamps, p/nos. Fr208-b101r, fr208-b101l, fr208-b001r, and fr208-b001l, sold for use as replacement equipment for the passenger vehicles listed above. These headlamps fail to conform to the photometric requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Sabry lee will notify owners and offer full credit for any noncompliant headlamp. The recall is expected to begin on june 14, 2006. Owners may contact sabry lee account executive at 1-866-467-2279.

14,616 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA 05V388000 · Sep 7, 2005

Problem: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.

Risk: A fire at the switch could occur.

Fix: By letter dated september 12, 2005, owners were instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected. Owners who have had their speed control deactivated are being notified that parts will be available and advised to make an appointment to…

4,500,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

2002 Ford F-150 problems by component

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling 197
271
Electrical System 110
22810
Vehicle Speed Control 87
4461
Engine 66
290
Fuel System, Gasoline 65
053
Power Train 53
302
Seat Belts 50
212
Structure 45
226
Air Bags 37
30239
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 29
110
Visibility 28
007
Unknown or Other 25
251
Steering 25
303
Tires 24
204
Suspension 22
101
Fuel/Propulsion System 21
010
Wheels 13
402
Exterior Lighting 13
110
Service Brakes 12
130
Equipment 10
010
Latches/Locks/Linkages 8
001
Seats 7
112
Parking Brake 3
000
Fuel System, Other 3
000
Child Seat 3
000
Trailer Hitches 2
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc) 2
010
Visibility/Wiper 2
000
Service Brakes, Electric 1
010
Interior Lighting 1
000
Forward Collision Avoidance 1
000

NHTSA investigations

Latest owner complaints

Unknown or Other · Jul 17, 2026 · CA

I had the recall number 05s28 repaired at high desert ford on July sixth as a part of a California safety inspection to register my vehicle. Per ford they are done however they refuse to update the system which holds my vehicle unable to be registered even after the services were rendered and complete. Multiple attempts to trendy have failed any results thus ford is holding my…

Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 8, 2026 · MO

Cruise control kicked on and won't go off. Gas fumes come from the AC unit. When driving the truck started speeding up. Now the truck is parked.

Seat Belts · May 15, 2025 · TX

Front seatbelts on 2002 Ford F-150 become unlatched unexpectedly while driving. This has been noticed over the last two or three years occasionally, but has been getting worse. Seat belt has become unlatched about 5-6 times during a 600 mile road trip. Seat belt was confirmed by two passengers that it was indeed latched correctly and nothing pushing the release button.…

Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 9, 2025 · WA

Just learned of recall.

Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 26, 2024 · IA

Driving down [xxx] the straps on my gas tank broke because they rusted thru causing gas tank to drop and spill fuel all over [xxx] in iowa causing so much fuel spilled out they had to close one lane of traffic....the fire dept chief of whiting, iowa, steven snyder, can verify what happened....there is a police report but I didn't have it filing out this report information…

Unknown or Other · Jul 26, 2024 · IA

Driving down [xxx] the straps on my gas tank broke because they rusted thru causing gas tank to drop and spill fuel all over [xxx] in iowa causing so much fuel spilled out they had to close one lane of traffic....the fire dept chief of whiting, iowa, steven snyder, can verify what happened....there is a police report but I didn't have it filing out this report information…

Engine · May 29, 2024 · 108,000 miles · WV

The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made a loud sound. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed and determined that cylinder #3 spark plug had blown out, but no repair was recommended at the time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made…

Wheels · Feb 2, 2024 · 100,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated while at a tire shop to have the tires rotated, the mechanic was unable to remove the tires due to the lug nuts being swollen. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and suggested to the contact to call the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Latches/Locks/Linkages · Nov 27, 2023 · 70,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the rear driver's side and rear passenger's side doors failed to open from inside or outside the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced due to…

Service Brakes · Nov 22, 2023 · FL

Systems failed. Recalls incomplete

Seat Belts · Nov 22, 2023 · FL

Systems failed. Recalls incomplete

Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 22, 2023 · FL

Systems failed. Recalls incomplete

Other Ford F-150 years

1984 1987 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Ford F-150 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls covering the 2002 Ford F-150, the most recent one (11V385000) for fuel system, gasoline. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford F-150?

Based on 821 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are engine and engine cooling (197), electrical system (110), vehicle speed control (87).

Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2002 Ford F-150?

Owners reported 51 crashes, 95 fires, 85 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.

Is NHTSA investigating the 2002 Ford F-150?

NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations that include this vehicle, most recently EA11006: Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion.