2002 Ford F-350 SD Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Dec 6, 2018 · 124 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other F-350 SD years
About as many complaints as other years 14th of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 124 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford F-350 SD. That ranks 14th out of 32 F-350 SD model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (41 complaints, 33%), typically at around 63,050 miles. Complaints mention 7 crashes, 8 fires, 6 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2002 Ford F-350 SD problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine and Engine Cooling41 · ~63,050 mi
Tires27 · ~39,500 mi
Electrical System16 · ~73,000 mi
Fuel System, Diesel10 · ~68,000 mi
Power Train7 · ~39,391 mi
Steering7 · ~80,000 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5 · ~58,347 mi
Unknown or Other5 · ~79,837 mi
Vehicle Speed Control5 · ~134,000 mi
Suspension4 · ~253,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine and Engine Cooling4133%63,050——
Tires2722%39,500——
Electrical System1613%73,000——
Fuel System, Diesel108%68,000——
Power Train76%39,391——
Steering76%80,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic54%58,347——
Unknown or Other54%79,837——
Vehicle Speed Control54%134,000——
Suspension43%253,000——
Engine32%150,000——
Exterior Lighting32%151,818——
Seat Belts32%83,000——
Structure32%58,347——
Air Bags11%140,000——
Equipment11%———
Fuel System, Other11%35,000——
Wheels11%114,254——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2007, with 28 complaints
2003: 162003162004: 662005: 112005112006: 11112007: 282007282008: 16162009: 6200962010: 882011: 8201182012: 222013: 4201342014: 222015: 1201512016: 222017: 2201722018: 11

n = 124 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2002 Ford F-350 SD recalls (3)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Exterior lighting:brake lights; exterior lighting:tail lightsJul 13, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V352000 · 26,715 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Non-functioning lights could increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Vehicle speed controlOct 13, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V399000 · 4,500,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.

Fix: 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.

Engine and engine cooling:engine:dieselDec 5, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V553000 · 1,176,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of an engine stall, a crash could result without warning.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Engine stalling (EA06012) — opened Jun 22, 2006, closed Dec 7, 2007, led to recall 07V553000.
  • Spark plug ejection from cylinder head (DP05005) — opened Sep 22, 2005, closed Jan 4, 2006.
  • Engine compartment fires (EA05005) — opened Mar 22, 2005, closed Aug 2, 2006, led to recall 05V388000.
  • Accelerator pedal sensor (etc) (EA04006) — opened Feb 23, 2004, closed Feb 10, 2005.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Engine · received Dec 6, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11156495

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.

Electrical System · received May 11, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 10984909

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.

Vehicle Speed Control · received Mar 29, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 10969323

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…

Tires · received Sep 23, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10909402

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.

Tires · received Sep 23, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10909405

Other Ford F-350 SD years

← 2001 F-350 SD · 2003 F-350 SD →

See all Ford F-350 SD problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford F-350 SD?

Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, tires, electrical system problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 41 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2002 Ford F-350 SD?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2002 Ford F-350 SD a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other F-350 SD model years, the 2002 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.