2002 Ford E-350: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 53 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (28% of complaints).
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 53 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Head on vehicle stripped because of the way it is made. There was a recall on regular e350 but mine is an rv. It was in motion when the spark plug popped out while driving down the highway on I-65 in birmingham alabama.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford e-350 equipped with michelin lt24575r16 tires, size: 245/756/16 (na). While driving approximately 55 mph, the contact felt vibrations from the front tires. The contact noticed that the tread from the front passenger side tire was separated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the tire was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13t012000 (tires). The VIN was unknown. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 108,362 and the approximate tire failure mileage was 20,000.”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2015
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford e-350. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not able to restart. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford e-350. The contact stated that the turn signals and hazard lights would not illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised the contact that the turn signal switch would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford e350 super duty. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the front end of the frame fractured into two pieces, causing the contact to crash into a barrier on the interstate. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a private mechanic who confirmed that the a frame was fractured and caused the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2011
“Started my 2001 ford e-350. After 10-15 seconds, large pop and engine died. Opened hood and found right rear spark plug had blown out of engine. I'm an engineer and I've been working on engines of all descriptions for 35 years. This is an obvious engineering defect. Ford should replace the parts. We have a fleet of fords. I now wish it was a fleet of chevy's. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford e-350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred three times over a period of four years. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2011
“2002 ford econoline 350 equipped with v8 tritan engine. Spark plug blew out. Have tapped with heli-coil repair kit, but his repair has failed. Now faced with cylinder had been removal and replacement. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2010
“My 2002 ford e-350 has been found to have a spark plug blow out. This hapened without notice. I have been told that I need a tune-up. I have researched online and found many complaints about ford truck engines ejecting spark plugs. I'm concerned that if all the plugs are replaced, that the problem may not fuller be solved without some very expensive work. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2009
“Driving down a street at approx. 40mph I heard a bang and then a bunch of air escaping. Sounded like an exhaust leak. Spark plug was blown out of number 2 cylinder. Had repaired at local repair shop, put in a new heli coil. Since 7-6-09 has happened again. This time number 8 cylinder. These ford engines don't have enough thread on the engine heads to hold the spark plugs in. It's probably going to keep happening until all of the threads are replaced. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - 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-350 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-350 reliable?
NHTSA has 53 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Ford E-350. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Ford E-350 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 82,470 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Ford E-350 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.