2002 Ford F-250 SD: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 245 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (39% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 245 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The seat belts come unbuckled when driving. This happens to the drive's side more often than passenger side. The belt come undone on highway, in town, just starting out or after an hour there isn't a warning before it happens.the speed of the truck also doesn't make a difference. But it is happening more frequent now. It started about 3 years ago but it is getting worst.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2017
“Truck dies while driving without any warning, can-not find the problem and ford will not acknowledge that there is an issue. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2016
“After driving about 30 miles and returning home, the truck caught fire while sitting in the driveway - about 20 minutes after engine was turned off. By the time smoke was seen, flames were coming from under the hood and the right front tire was burning. The fire department put out the fire but the truck was completely destroyed. The flames spread to an adjacent vehicle and it too was destroyed.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“At 102000 miles engine ejected #8 spark plug while driving, taking threads with it. Local mechanic repaired using insert. At 125000 miles engine ejected #3 spark plug in same manner. Same mechanic inspected #8 while repairing #3 and found insert not holding, plus two other plugs backing out.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford f-250 sd equipped with goodrich long trail t/a tires, size: p265/75/r15 (na). While towing another vehicle, there was an abnormal vibration popping noise from the rear passenger side tire. The contact observed that the rear tire popped and noticed tread separation on the tire. The tire was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was 134,900 and the tire failure mileage was approximately 5,000.”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford f-250 sd. The contact stated that the driver seat belt would not engage without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver seat belt buckle assembly fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,243. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2015
“All incidents involving big o at truck tires: 6/11/12 tread separation. No damage to vehicle or crash. 12/31/12 tread separation. No damage to vehicle or crash. 3/12/14 tread separation. No damage to vehicle or crash. 4/11/14 tread separation. No damage to vehicle or crash. 7/29/14 tread separation. No damage to vehicle or crash. 3/26/15 tread separation. No damage to vehicle or crash. 5/29/15 tread separation. Heavy damage to quarter panel of vehicle.”Owner report · Tires · May 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford f-250 sd equipped with nitto duragrappler tires, size 265/75/16. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the front passenger's side tire exploded. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road where a spare tire was installed. The vehicle was taken to a tire center and they informed the contact that there was severe tire separation on the remaining three tires. The four tires were replaced with new ones. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 108,539.”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford f-250 sd. The contact stated that while stopped, he depressed the brake pedal and the pedal abnormally traveled to the floorboard accompanied by a loud pop. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed brake fluid leaking. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford f-250 sd. The contact stated that while exiting a residential driveway, the contact noticed that brake fluid had leaked onto the floorboard. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the frame exhibited corrosion. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for an inspection. The failure was not reported to the manufacturer. The failure and current mileage was 74,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 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 PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-250 SD 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 F-250 SD reliable?
NHTSA has 245 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Ford F-250 SD. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (39% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Ford F-250 SD problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 77,200 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Ford F-250 SD have open recalls?
5 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.