NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Ford Econoline Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2002 Ford Econoline has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 23 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Ford Econoline, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2002 Ford Econoline owner complaints

Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford Econoline, describing incidents dated December 1, 2002 to October 12, 2017.

Most-cited components

Engine 8 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 5 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 3 complaints
Electrical System 2 complaints
Service Brakes 2 complaints
Steering 2 complaints

Of the 23 complaints on file, 3 report a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11033338 · Filed October 14, 2017
LEFT HOUSE FOR VACATION, GOT 75 MILES AWAY AT 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, AND ENGINE STARTED MAKING A POPPING SOUND. PULLED OFF ROAD AND CALLED A NEARBY MOBILE REPAIR COMPANY. THEY SENT OUT A MECHANIC, HE DIAGNOSED A BLOWN OUT SPARK PLUG, AND SAID THIS WAS COMMON FOR THE FORD V-10. MADE IT TO HIS SHOP…
ODI #10614804 · Filed July 20, 2014
DRIVING VAN ON HIGHWAY WHEN VAN BEGAN SMOKING. THEN FIRE. EVERYTHING WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *TR
ODI #10480958 · Filed October 18, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ECONOLINE E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR END OF THE FUEL TANK HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE…

Read all 23 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Ford Econoline in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP05-005: SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
Closed January 4, 2006

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR

NHTSA #09E025000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported May 11, 2009 · DOPE, INC.

Potentially affected: 42,540 vehicles

Owners notified July 28, 2009

Defect description

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY DOPE, INC.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS

NHTSA #09E012000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported April 7, 2009 · SABERSPORT

Potentially affected: 16,270 vehicles

Owners notified May 11, 2009

Defect description

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH

NHTSA #08V051000 · Vehicle Speed Control — Cruise Control · NHTSA notice

Reported February 4, 2008 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 225,000 vehicles

Ford campaign 08S01 · Owners notified February 18, 2008 · Vehicles built September 3, 1991 – September 15, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 08S01.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FORD/FUEL TANK BRACKETS

NHTSA #03V282000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage · NHTSA notice

Reported August 5, 2003 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 64 vehicles

Ford campaign 03S06 · Owners notified September 3, 2003 · Vehicles built June 18, 2001 – March 20, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN CUTAWAY CHASSIS CAB WITH THE SCHOOL BUS OPTION, TWO BRACKETS AND TWO OUTRIGGER MEMBERS ARE MISSING IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL TANK.

Safety consequence

THE BRACKETS AND OUTRIGGER MEMBERS ARE INTENDED TO ENHANCE CRASH PERFORMANCE.

Manufacturer remedy

FORD WILL SEND TECHNICIANS TO THE OWNER'S LOCATION TO INSPECT AND ADD THE BRACKETS AND OUTRIGGERS AS REQUIRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 03S06.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2002 Ford Econoline

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

3 investigations

23 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Ford Econoline.

Engine

ODI #11033338

Incident: October 12, 2017 · Filed: October 14, 2017

LEFT HOUSE FOR VACATION, GOT 75 MILES AWAY AT 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, AND ENGINE STARTED MAKING A POPPING SOUND. PULLED OFF ROAD AND CALLED A NEARBY MOBILE REPAIR COMPANY. THEY SENT OUT A MECHANIC, HE DIAGNOSED A BLOWN OUT SPARK PLUG, AND SAID THIS WAS COMMON FOR THE FORD V-10. MADE IT TO HIS SHOP, AND THAT'S WHERE IT SITS. ESTIMATES ARE OVER $4000 TO REPAIR.

Electrical System

ODI #10614804

Fire

Incident: October 15, 2013 · Filed: July 20, 2014

DRIVING VAN ON HIGHWAY WHEN VAN BEGAN SMOKING. THEN FIRE. EVERYTHING WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10480958

Incident: October 8, 2012 · Filed: October 18, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ECONOLINE E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR END OF THE FUEL TANK HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS HAD BECOME COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN CAUTIOUSLY AND WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND INSTALLED A TEMPORARY STRAP FOR THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 76,000.

Engine

ODI #10465883

Incident: July 12, 2012 · Filed: July 16, 2012

TOOK THE VAN TO THE STORE. UPON RETURNING FROM STORE STARTED THE VAN, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION AS IF A BOMB WENT OFF. EVERYONE LOOKED BECAUSE IT WAS SO LOUD. TURNED THE VAN OFF AND RESTARTED IT. IT SOUNDED LIKE A DRAG CAR AT THE TRACK, NO EXHAUST SYSTEM AT ALL. TOOK COW OFF AND LOOKED INSIDE, FOUND THE SPARK PLUG WITH THE BOOT LAYING ON TOP OF THE VALVE COVER OR INTAKE, NOT SURE THERE IS NO ROOM AND JUST ENOUGH TO GET TWO FINGERS IN TO RETRIEVE IT. I HAD NOTICED A LITTLE TICKING EARLIER IN THE DAY LIKE AN EXHAUST LEAK, BUT DID NOT FIND ONE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT IS NOW. NOT SURE WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10459094

Incident: May 6, 2012 · Filed: May 21, 2012

FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS ON 101 SOUTH ON THE WALDO GRADE APPROACHING THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE. VEHICLE LOST POWER HALF WAY UP THE GRADE AND SLOWED TO 10 MPH. LIMPED VEHICLE TO OFF RAMP. I AM AN ASE CERTIFIED MASTER MECHANIC, I ALSO HOLD MY CALIFORNIA SMOG LICENSE. I'VE WORKED AS A MECHANIC FOR 30 YEARS. UPON GETTING THE VEHICLE HOME I DIAGNOSED THE CONCERN I FOUND THE FUEL TANK FULL OF METAL THAT HAD FLAKED FROMT HE WALLS OF THE FUEL TANK. I FOUND THE FUEL PICKUP IN THE TANK PLUGGED WITH FILINGS, THE FUEL PUMP RUINED, AND THE FUEL FILTER FULL OF METAL AND RUST. I SENT THE TANK TO WHO COATED THE FUEL TANK FOR ME. STATED THAT HE CONTINUOUSLY SEES THESE FORD TANK COMING FROM ALL THE DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH FORD FUEL TANKS. MY TOTAL COST FOR THIS REPAIR IN PARTS AND REPAIRS TO THE FUEL TANK HAS COME TO $1,200.00 WHOLESALE COST, NOT INCLUDING MY LABOR OR ANY PARTS RETAIL MARKUP. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW AND ALWAYS RUN GOOD QUALITY FUEL IN MY VEHICLE AND TOPPED UP THE TANK WEEKLY OR MORE OFTEN TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE IN MY FUEL SYSTEM. I HAVE NOT FILLED UP THE FUEL TANK AND RUN THE ENGINE YET, AND HOPE THAT THERE IS NO FURTHER DAMAGE TO MY FUEL INJECTORS OR FUEL SYSTEM. IF THERE IS I COULD BE OUT ANOTHER $4,000 TO 5,000 JUST IN PARTS. I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHY IF THERE SEEMS TO BE SUCH A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM OUR GOVERNMENT HAS NOT RECALLED THESE VEHICLES? IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT FORD IS PRODUCING VEHICLES WITH SUBSTANDARD FUEL SYSTEMS AND THAT THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT FORD IS NOT OWNING. THE PUBLIC SHOULD NOT BE HELD LIABLE OFR FORD'S DESIGN FLAWS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10406082

Incident: June 10, 2011 · Filed: June 13, 2011

2002 FORD VAN - BLOWN SPARK PLUG. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10406081

Incident: June 11, 2010 · Filed: June 13, 2011

2002 FORD VAN - BLOWN SPARK PLUG. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10406079

Incident: March 12, 2010 · Filed: June 13, 2011

2002 FORD VAN - BLOWN SPARK PLUG. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10298950

Fire

Incident: January 8, 2010 · Filed: January 11, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ECONOLINE(NA). WHILE DRIVING AND ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE WARNING LIGHT CAME. THERE WAS ALSO NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND WAITED FOR AN HOUR TO RESTART IT; HOWEVER, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE SMOKE AND FIRE WERE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. HE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND DISCONNECTED THE ABS MODULE UNIT UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER WHO DID NOT RECONNECT THE ABS MODULE. THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE USING THE NORMAL BRAKING SYSTEM WITH NO FAILURES. THE ABS MODULE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,500.

Tires

ODI #10272754

Incident: January 1, 2009 · Filed: June 3, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ECONOLINE. THE VEHICLE HAS B.F. GOODRICH COMMERCIAL TA ALL TERRAIN TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 2007 AND HAVE BEEN ON THE VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE LESS THAN TWO YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTHORIZED WARRANTY REPAIR DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS WILLING TO PRO-RATE THE COST OF THE TIRES. THE TIRE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,190.

Other Ford Econoline model years

Check your 2002 Ford Econoline VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Econoline at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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