2002 Ford E-250: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 17 owner complaints on record; most reports concern tires; the 2004 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Both front tires merely developed tread bulges , less than 15k miles, never had a flat, been overloaded ,overinflated , ect.. They just became very poor driving and vibrated badly to find they both have bulges in the tread. They seemed fine about two weeks ago and when I went to drive it a couple days ago the problem became apparent. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford e-250. The contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, the fuel tank strap detached from the vehicle and caused the fuel tank to nearly touch the ground. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2015
“Failure of cam position sensor on 2002 ford f250 diesel. Motor stops working lost of power steering and all power,as if key was turned off. If pulling trailer this was an extremly dangerios conditionin in the ford 2002 f250 truck with the 7.3 diesel motor. Just check the internet to see how many peoplle were having trouble. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“4r70w transmission failure. Planetary gear shattered resulting in a transmission failure. Requiring the transmission to be rebuilt. *nm”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2007
“Ford has recalls on 1994-2002 ford truck 8500 gvw and under I have a 2002 f250 ford 8600 gvw that uses same cruise control parts as the other trucks. This unit was sitting in garage when not running when the same parts that are being replaced on other vehicles ignited on fire. Ford will not replace the parts. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2005
“Tire separation, goodyear lt245/75r16e tires. At approximately 30000 miles, the tire began to bounce due to a tread separation, creating an unsafe situation. *ak”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2005
“My son was driving home when the back wheels locked-up and started to skid. He called the police and the officer said he could see where it look like that's what happened and there were three other witnesses to what had happened. My husband feels this is what happened to him a couple of months ago. I am waiting to see if you are willing to pay for me to take my vehicle to a dealership to be checked out. *jb”Owner report · Wheels · Feb 2005
“Total catalytic converter failure at 51,000 miles. Sat at dealership from jan 3,2006 to april 7, 2005 waiting for dealer only part. No cause found. Truck was in excellent running condition. *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2005
“When braking at 25 mph the brakes had gone to the floor. The consumer had to pump the brakes in order to stop the vehicle. The dealer stated that electronic hydraulic control unit for the ABS needed to be replaced. *ak *scc *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2003
“The vehicle caught on fire while parked for over 24 hours. The local fire department stated the fire was due to a short in the wiring. *jb it was later determined that there was a short in the wiring on the passenger side b post where the wiring runs through the post to the right side rear power door locks. *scc *nlm”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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.
CERTAIN VANS AND WAGONS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION." FOR CERTAIN 2003 E250 VANS BUILT WITH LT225/75R16E TIRES, THE REAR AXLE RATING IS INCORRECTLY LISTED ON THE LABEL. IN ADDITION, THE TIRE PRESSURE IS INCORRECTLY LISTED ON THE LABEL FOR THE REAR TIRES ON CERTAIN 2002 E350 WAGONS AND FOR THE FRONT TIRES ON CERTAIN 2002 E250 VANS BUILT WITH THESE TIRES.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH SUPPLEMENTARY TIRE LABELS CONTAINING CORRECT INFORMATION AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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-250 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-250 reliable?
NHTSA has 17 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Ford E-250. The most complained-about area is tires.
Does the 2002 Ford E-250 have open recalls?
4 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.