2002 Ford F-350 SD: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 124 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (30% 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 124 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Improper protection of the oil pan to elements causes metal pan to rot prematurely gear box for steeering not designed properly for the weight class of truck constantly breaking causing sloppy steering and loss of control 2 leaf springs on front end are only rated to a weight of 1950lbs for a 1 ton truck that weighs almost 9,000 pounds causing springs to break or wear prematurely unless you pay ford 2,000-5,000 dollars to our grade the suspension”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2018
“Vsm has failed this controls the door ajar and power locks. Power locks fail to function or are hyper active (locking and unlocking by themselves). Door ajar light flashing and emitting a sound indication a vehicle's door is not secure while driving after vehicle has warmed up.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2017
“Periodically, when setting the cruise control at different speeds, it won't immediately engage, which means that there is a loss of speed of around 5 mph. Then it will engage, kick down a gear, and accelerate super quick. Scary if you are not prepared.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“After experiencing tire failure / tread separation on lr tire, inspection of remaining tires performed for signs of tread separation. Cracks noted in tire on rr which was purchased at the same time as lr between tread and sidewall.”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2016
“Traveling westbound on interstate 8 just west of ca/az border at 3pm pdt. Weather is sunny with amb temp approx 105 degrees. Without warning an explosion / complete tire failure. 2-3 seconds after explosion tread completely separates from tire. Damage to lr body panel, wheel well and associated parts. Tire replacement along with repair/replacement of damaged body parts done to correct problem.”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2016
“The tie rod end at the pitman arm sheared off suddenly at the point where the ball meets the shaft of the tie rod causing a complete loss of steering control. This is not a wear point and is not something that could have been inspected since it is covered with a rubber boot, the steel looks as if it fatigued over time leading to the sudden failure. Luckily this occurred in a parking lot, had it happened on the highway someone else would have possibly been writing this. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2014
“The front passenger seat buckle releases unexpectedly. When I began to research how to replace this component, I discovered that there was an NHTSA recall#01v227001, ford recall# 01s21 issued for the same hazard. My truck was assembled in 2001 at the kentucky plant but when I contacted ford they explained that my truck was not included in the recall. Since this is such a safety hazard, I am reporting to you so that you may consider expanding the scope of this recall. Also, what are the identifying marks to determine if I do indeed have the faulty components in my vehicle? The buckles are trw 33012760, the drivers side is embossed with #343013 and the passenger side is embossed #321013. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford f-350 sd. The contact stated that while decelerating, a loud bang was heard from the front end of the vehicle. The contact later discovered that the front driver's side leaf spring was fractured. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic but was repaired by the contact. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 256,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford f-350 sd. The contact stated that he plugged an engine block warmer up for approximately 1.5 hours. The contact later heard a loud explosion and found that the vehicle caught on fire. The police and fire department were contacted. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic and they deemed the vehicle destroyed. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance to the contact. The failure and current mileages was approximately 150,000. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2013
“2002 ford f-350, 7.3 ltr diesel displayed loss of power and severe shaking at lower rpm's with a check engine light. Took to ford dealer and was told it was a delaminate problem inside the fuel tank and I was told that this would cost in excess of $2800 to repair. This is a serious safety problem on the highway as I could only maintain 25 mph ( highway minimum is 45 mph) in an attempt to find a safe place to pull over. Once the vehicle was shut down for a short time the problem resolved itself and I was able to continue on only to have the problem reoccur several miles later. I noticed that this problem basically occurs when under load and when extra throttle is needed. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · Jul 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - 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.
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-350 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-350 SD reliable?
NHTSA has 124 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Ford F-350 SD. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Ford F-350 SD problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Ford F-350 SD 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.