2002 Ford E-150 Problems
- Complaints
- 28filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 86,000miles, 23 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 14 mpgcombined, 4.2L 6-cyl RWD · 13 city / 17 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Ford E-150 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2002 Ford E-150. The part named most often is brakes, with 5 complaints (18% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and fuel system (3). 23 of the complaints include a mileage, and 43% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 86,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 5 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes5 18%
- Electrical system3 11%
- Fuel system3 11%
- Steering3 11%
- Engine cooling2 7.1%
- Suspension2 7.1%
- Tires2 7.1%
- Wheels2 7.1%
Also reported: Air bags (1), Engine (1), Equipment (1), Body and structure (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “Brakes failure,burned out caused by lack of lubrication at critical contact points of metal parts. Was not lubed at factory caused brake pads to stick against rotors and high tempatures, premature failure. Required extra brake petal force to stop vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10025769, filed 2003-07, 16,400 milesElectrical system: “This was a car fire Ford f-150 in front a residence they had last driven the vehicle 5 hours prior and I saw for the window by my residence the smoking in the driveway and I attempt to extinguish with a garden hose and I received help from off duty ff he finished extinguished but the vehicle has a heavy damage on the engine compartment.”
NHTSA complaint #10254299, filed 2009-01, 114,000 milesFuel system: “The gas pedal on our e150 Ford traveler van is sticky. This has been going on some time now. My wife has complained about it for several years. A co-worker and I borrowed a friends Ford pickup truck and he mentioned the same problem, I told him about our van(this was a month ago).”
NHTSA complaint #10451299, filed 2012-03Steering: “In a parking lot, I went to turn left, heard a loud clunk and the van just went straight. Lost all steering control. Luckily this happened in a parking lot and not on the road at higher speed. If this had occurred at speed, I would have hit oncoming traffic , or gone off the road into who knows what. Two separate mechanics have diagnosed a complete frame failure wihich allowed the steering box to detach from the frame. The frame is not repairable. If this is a common problem with the 2002 Ford e150 frame people are going to get hurt or killed!!!”
NHTSA complaint #11385180, filed 2020-12, 180,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
43% of the 23 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 34,000 and 130,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2002 Ford E-150 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E150 Club Wagon RWD | 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| E150 Club Wagon RWD | 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| E150 Club Wagon RWD | 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 16 | 13 | $5,150 |
| E150 Econoline 2WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| E150 Econoline 2WD | 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| E150 Econoline 2WD | 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 09V399000Oct 13, 2009Vehicle speed controlCovers: Ford E-150 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003, E-250 1992–2003 +12 more
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…
- 08V051000Feb 4, 2008Vehicle speed control › Cruise controlCovers: Ford E-150 1992–2003, Econoline 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003 +10 more
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…
- 07V336000Aug 3, 2007Vehicle speed controlCovers: Ford E-150 1992–1993, 1997–2003, E-350 1992–1993, 1997–2003, E-250 1992–1993, 1997–2003 +18 more
On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Recall details for the 2002 Ford E-150 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 5 on record; the latest 5 are shown.
- 10022675Sep 19, 2007Brakes. Brake booster system may exhibit a brake pedal kickback and/or grabbing condition when applying the brakes.
- 10022232Dec 1, 2006Exterior lighting. Headlight adjustment needed.
- 10018741Nov 14, 2005Engine cooling. Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code p1131 and/or p1151 - 4.2l engine.
- 10017865Jul 1, 2005Exterior lighting. Headlight adjustment - chassis cab incomplete vehicles.
- 10018941Jan 1, 2005Suspension. Vibration/harshness above 45 mph (72 km/h) after tire balance.
Other model years of the Ford E-150
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 8 | 6,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 8 | 18,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2014 | 6 | 16,738 | 6 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 19 | 82,800 | 6 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2012 | 12 | 60,000 | 8 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 23 | 37,500 | 11 | — | 14 | — | Falling |
| 2010 | 10 | 42,500 | 7 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 7 | 83,000 | 12 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 11 | 66,325 | 17 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 12 | 49,000 | 18 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 17 | 44,373 | 14 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 2005 | 16 | 52,879 | 2 | — | 15 | — | Rising |
| 2004 | 33 | 65,000 | 5 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2003 | 21 | 16,354 | 5 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 28 | 86,000 | 3 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 37 | 73,000 | 4 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 50 | 104,602 | 6 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 83 | 96,000 | 6 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 60 | 89,146 | 5 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 102 | 103,000 | 6 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 59 | 120,000 | 3 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 71 | 95,000 | 3 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 121 | 129,500 | 7 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1993 | 71 | 135,000 | 4 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1992 | 64 | 100,000 | 4 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 15 | 75,000 | 1 | — | 13 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 17 | 126,000 | 3 | — | 13 | — | Falling |
| 1989 | 31 | 94,000 | 2 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1988 | 14 | — | 0 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 17 | 70,000 | 0 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 9 | — | 0 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
All Ford E-150 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Ford E-150 have?
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2002 Ford E-150 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Ford E-150 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 5 complaints (18% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.
Has the 2002 Ford E-150 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Ford E-150 get?
The EPA rates the 2002 Ford E-150 (E150 Club Wagon, 4.2L 6-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 13 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Ford E-150 reported?
Among the 23 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 86,000 miles and the middle half falls between 34,000 and 130,000 miles; 43% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.