NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Ford F-350 SD Recalls & Complaints

The 2002 Ford F-350 SD has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 124 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 F-350 SD. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2002 Ford F-350 SD owner complaints

Owners have filed 124 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford F-350 SD, describing incidents dated January 4, 2002 to December 1, 2018.

Most-cited components

Engine 44 complaints
Tires 27 complaints
Electrical System 16 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 11 complaints
Power Train 7 complaints
Steering 7 complaints

Of the 124 complaints on file, 7 report a crash and 8 a fire; across all 124 complaints, owners report 6 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11156495 · Filed December 6, 2018
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…
ODI #10984909 · Filed May 11, 2017
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.
ODI #10969323 · Filed March 29, 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.

Read all 124 complaints

Owner-reported

2002 Ford F-350 SD mileage at failure

106 of the 124 complaints on file for the 2002 Ford F-350 SD give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Engine	Median 65,000 miles	Middle half 55,000–100,000 miles	Based on 38 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Ford F-350 SD in 4 investigations. 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.

Engineering Analysis EA06-012: ENGINE STALLING
Closed December 7, 2007
- Recall 07V-553
Engineering Analysis EA05-005: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Closed August 2, 2006
- Recall 05V-388
- Recall 06V-286
- Recall 07V-078
- Recall 07V-336
- Recall 07V-347
- Recall 07V-488
- and 1 more on the investigation page
Defect Petition DP05-005: SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
Closed January 4, 2006
Engineering Analysis EA04-006: ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (ETC)
Closed February 10, 2005

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

STEERING COLUMN MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH/FMVSS 108

NHTSA #11V352000 · Exterior Lighting — Tail Lights · NHTSA notice

Reported July 13, 2011 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 26,715 vehicles

Ford campaign 11C18 · Owners notified August 15, 2011

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD'S SAFETY RECALL NO. 11C18.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/OVERHEATS

NHTSA #09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA notice

Reported October 13, 2009 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 4,500,000 vehicles

Ford campaign 09S09 · Owners notified October 27, 2009 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 09S09.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> .

REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES

NHTSA #07E106000 · Wheels — Hub · NHTSA notice

Reported December 17, 2007 · FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 130,000 vehicles

Owners notified February 7, 2008

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO REPLACEMENT NATIONAL, CARQUEST WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS OR FORD.CUSTOMERS MAY 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.

CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR

NHTSA #07V553000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine — Diesel · NHTSA notice

Reported December 5, 2007 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 1,176,000 vehicles

Ford campaign 07S57 · Owners notified December 29, 2007 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 07S57.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.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2002 Ford F-350 SD. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

124 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Ford F-350 SD.

Steering; Suspension; Engine

ODI #11156495

Crash

Incident: December 1, 2018 · Filed: December 6, 2018

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

Electrical System

ODI #10984909

Incident: May 1, 2017 · Filed: May 11, 2017

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.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10969323

Incident: March 8, 2017 · Filed: March 29, 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.

Tires

ODI #10909405

Incident: September 22, 2016 · Filed: September 23, 2016

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

ODI #10909402

Incident: September 3, 2016 · Filed: September 23, 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.

Seat Belts

ODI #10711834

Incident: April 25, 2014 · Filed: April 20, 2015

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

Steering

ODI #10606417

Incident: June 24, 2014 · Filed: June 27, 2014

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

Steering; Structure; Wheels

ODI #10587834

Crash

Incident: May 1, 2014 · Filed: May 12, 2014

LEFT FRONT TIRE THREAD SEPARATED WHILE TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON I75 AT MILE MARKER 311. SEPARATION CAUSED TRUCK TO VEER LEFT INTO THE MEDIAN GUARD RAIL AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND CONTINUE ALONG GUARD RAIL UNTIL STOPPED. 911 CALLED WHICH BROUGHT EMS AND FHP. AAA CALLED WHICH BROUGHT WRECKER. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SHAKEN UP WITH PASSENGER BEING TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL BY EMS FOR HYPERTENSION/HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. FHP FILED REPORT, CASE #FHPC140FF039496. WRECKER REMOVED TRUCK FRONT LEFT WHEEL/TIRE FROM UNDER GUARD RAIL AND TRANSPORTED TO IMPOUND LOT. DAMAGE TO LEFT FRONT OF TRUCK AND ALONG LEFT SIDE TO REAR DUAL WHEELS; FRONT BUMPER, FRONT GRILL, BROKEN STEERING ROD, LEFT FENDER, LEFT WHEEL, LEFT SIDE OF HOOD, DRIVER'S DOOR, AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR. UNKNOWN CONDITION OF FRONT 4WD AXLE OR FRAME. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10541817

Incident: August 20, 2013 · Filed: September 4, 2013

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.

Tires

ODI #10541787

Incident: September 4, 2013 · Filed: September 4, 2013

THIS SPECTOR TIRE JUST BLEW UP. THE TIRE SEPARATED AT THE TREAD AND SPLIT OPEN 6-8 INCHES. *JB

Other Ford F-350 SD model years

Check your 2002 Ford F-350 SD VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford F-350 SD at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Ford VIN