There are no safety recalls for the 2002 Ford F Series (Light), but owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA.
2002 Ford F Series (Light) problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | |
| Engine | 4 | |
| Suspension | 1 | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | |
| Electrical System | 1 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | |
| Power Train | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 1 | |
| Structure | 1 | |
Most reported parts
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly — 4
- Suspension › Rear › Axle › Spindle — 1
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 120,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2002 Ford F Series (Light) complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Engine · at 90,000 miles · reported Jul 6, 2018
We purchased a car from nab autos in fredericksburg, va. After the 7th day of driving it, the motor blew up. Wrong spark plugs were installed by dealer. Also the truck had been raced with nitrous which we were unaware of until we tried to find out what happened to motor. I have documentation from the repair shop. My 18 year old son drives this vehicle which began losing power and shaking before he was able to pull off to the side of the highway.
Engine · at 150,000 miles · reported Jul 15, 2014
Spark plug failure as accelerating from a stop light, and engine problem resulting from 7 cylinder operation. Got it to a mechanic and he was able to sleeve the spark plug thread and install a new plug. Now the same is starting again. I AM taking the vehicle to the mechanic to make permanent repairs for all the spark plug. This may end up with the engine heads being removed in order to make complete repairs, and the cost for that will be thousands of dollars. This is a ford engine design problem that ford has been aware of, yet they continue to deny any responsibility.
Engine · at 200,500 miles · reported Sep 8, 2012
A spark plug worked loose from the head and blew out causing damage to the head and the ignition coil. All 8 plugs had to be replaced, two damaged spark plug holes repaired and two ignition coils replaced.
Engine and Engine Cooling · at 120,000 miles · reported May 14, 2012
Truck started making noise every time there was a bump. Handling felt loose. Discovered that the radiator core support had rusted completely away on the passenger side. The mechanic referred to the condition as "rot". This supports the radiator, A/C and provides an attachment for the front fenders. I bought 4 vehicles the same year. Checked the other 3 and they have the same issue. I will be filing reports on them too.
Engine and Engine Cooling · at 210,000 miles · reported May 14, 2012
Checked the condition of this trucks radiator core support after another truck bought the same year had one that rotted away and failed. This part supports the radiator, A/C and provides an attachment for the front fenders. This vehicle's radiator core support is rusted completely through in spots and large flakes of rust fall off when it is disturbed. It will need to be repaired and 3 others bought the same year have the same issue.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2002 Ford F Series (Light) have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2002 Ford F Series (Light) as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Ford F Series (Light)?
Owners report engine and engine cooling problems most often (6 reports), followed by engine (4). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 120,000 miles.
Are Ford recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Ford dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.