2002 Ford E-150: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 28 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My power steering and brakes went out as I was driving. I was making a turn in town, and I almost collided with another car at the intersection. I pushed the brakes as hard as I could, but it didn't slow down, the car just eventually rolled to a stop on its own. The exact cause is unknown, but it seems like it was a failure in the power steering pump. After turning off the van and turning it back on again a minute later, it started driving normally again.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2024
“In a parking lot, I went to turn left, heard a loud clunk and the van just went straight. Lost all steering control. Luckily this happened in a parking lot and not on the road at higher speed. If this had occurred at speed, I would have hit oncoming traffic , or gone off the road into who knows what. Two separate mechanics have diagnosed a complete frame failure wihich allowed the steering box to detach from the frame. The frame is not repairable. If this is a common problem with the 2002 ford e150 frame people are going to get hurt or killed!!!”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford regency. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 mph, the driver's side rear tire detached from the vehicle. The contact was riding on the rotor, which started a small fire, but he was able to stop the vehicle safely. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic where they advised him that the c-clamp was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were approximately 125,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford e-150. The contact stated that after having the vehicle serviced for routine maintenance, he was advised that the two straps which held the fuel tank in place were corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. Updated 09/19/11 *bf updated 2/23/12 *cn”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford e150. While driving approximately 35 mph, the contact heard a loud noise such as a spring popping, when he noticed that the flat plate that the front driver side coil spring mount was mounted on had rusted, causing him to lose control of the vehicle. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified and the vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were 132,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2011
“The gas pedal on our e150 ford traveler van is sticky. This has been going on some time now. My wife has complained about it for several years. A co-worker and I borrowed a friends ford pickup truck and he mentioned the same problem, I told him about our van(this was a month ago). *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2010
“2002 ford e-150 w/4.6- spark plug blew out of head ripping apart the plug boot and splitting the coil(over) in pieces. Spark plug will not retread into head. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford e-150 van. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he noticed that there were only two bolts that were holding the drive shaft together and not the customary four. The contact purchased two bolts to install into the drive shaft. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic, testing, or repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000 and the current mileage was 23,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2009
“This was a car fire ford f-150 in front a residence they had last driven the vehicle 5 hours prior and I saw for the window by my residence the smoking in the driveway and I attempt to extinguish with a garden hose and I received help from off duty ff he finished extinguished but the vehicle has a heavy damage on the engine compartment. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2009
“On march 25th I took my f150 in to the ford dealership on a safety recall for the speed control they disconnected it. They told that they have no parts too fix it from ford. How can this be when the recall is from 2005. I can't believe it would take this long. Someone needs to address the problem. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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 INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact E-150 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Ford E-150 reliable?
NHTSA has 28 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Ford E-150. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2002 Ford E-150 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.