2002 Ford F-450 SD: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 14 owner complaints on record; most reports concern fuel system, diesel.
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 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford f-450 sd. The contact stated that the fuel tank liner eroded and caused the vehicle to stall. The failure was recurring. The contact was not given a reason for the failure, but the contact stated that he believed that steel was being used to manufacturer the fuel tank and was causing the fuel tank to rust and erode prematurely. The vehicle was not recently repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage ws 103,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford f450. The contact stated that the material in the fuel tank has detached from the inner structure of the tank. The material was in the fuel injector and caused the vehicle to stall and shuts off intermittently while driving 65 mph. The contact has taken the vehicle to the dealer to replace the fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel sender, fuel filters, and the fuel injectors. The repairs have remedied the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle could have caused a crash to occur when it stalled. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · Nov 2009
“7.3 diesel fuel line, between hose need steering box and fuel filter at top front of engine, rusted causing a fuel leak, may be fuel return line”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · Jul 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford f-450 sd. The contact stated that the driver and passenger side power windows failed to go up and down. Also, the dome lighting failed to turn on and there was an abnormal clicking noise. The contact called a local dealer (harrisonburg ford, 3155 s main st, harrisonburg, va 22801) and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 45,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2004
“When depressing the brakes pedal went all the way to the floor before stopping. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. *ak the booster was replaced, but nothing changed. The consumer tried other vehicles at two different dealers and the vehicle displayed the same problem. As soon as one applied the brakes, they would lock up and there would be no friction to turn the wheels on and the computer would think that the vehicle was stopped. *sc”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2004
“Front pasenger compartment floorboard heats up to 160+ degrees when in hilly or mountanious area of driving. Pasenger unable to keep feet on floor board due to heat. F450 10 cyl gasoline engine motorhome. Ford dealer states "common complaint for this engine & vehichle" no remedy offered.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2004
“Having been a driver of limousine coaches for a number of years, I question the safety of the perimiter seating arrangement in this type of vehicle. I feel that in the event of an emergency stop or a crash, numerous injuries could result. This type of vehicle is used extensivly where alcohol is a factor and people are relaxed an not too concerned about personal safety. If feel that a forward seating arrangement is much safer and this type of seating should be made mandatory on all limo coaches.*ak”Owner report · Seats · Jan 2004
“While driving the vehicle at an undetermined speed the vehicle stalled. The consumer took the vehicle to a mechanic. *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2003
“Failure of clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder. Repeated problem. Vehicle looses all clutch control, causing uncontrolled movement while attempting to get the engine to stall. Almost crashed into innocent vehicle.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2003
“Consumer states that gas tank is fractured causing fuel to leak large amounts onto the ground. The vehicle shows no warning. Dealer is aware. Please provide more information. Mr”Owner report · Fuel System, Other
Recalls - 6 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.
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
How other years compare
Check your exact F-450 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-450 SD reliable?
NHTSA has 14 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Ford F-450 SD. The most complained-about area is fuel system, diesel.
Does the 2002 Ford F-450 SD have open recalls?
6 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.