2002 Ford E-250 Problems
- Complaints
- 17filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles, 13 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 5campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower 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-250 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2002 Ford E-250. The part named most often is brakes, with 4 complaints (24% of the total), followed by tires (4) and electrical system (2). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 54% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 40,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Brakes4 24%
- Tires4 24%
- Electrical system2 12%
- Engine cooling2 12%
- Fuel system2 12%
- Air bags1 5.9%
- Vehicle speed control1 5.9%
- Wheels1 5.9%
Example complaints
Brakes: “While driving 35 MPH, the brakes failed. The consumer's vehicle hit several other vehicles and then ran into a taxi cab head on. Upon impact, the frontal air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was driven with no problem. There was no coolant in the engine and front end damage.”
NHTSA complaint #10033756, filed 2003-10, 36,414 milesTires: “Both front tires merely developed tread bulges , less than 15k miles, never had a flat, been overloaded ,overinflated , ect.. They just became very poor driving and vibrated badly to find they both have bulges in the tread. They seemed fine about two weeks ago and when I went to drive it a couple days ago the problem became apparent.”
NHTSA complaint #11331209, filed 2020-06, 282,952 milesElectrical system: “Failure of cam position sensor on 2002 Ford f250 diesel. Motor stops working lost of power steering and all power,as if key was turned off. If pulling trailer this was an extremly dangerios conditionin in the Ford 2002 f250 truck with the 7.3 diesel motor. Just check the internet to see how many peoplle were having trouble.”
NHTSA complaint #10195390, filed 2007-07, 40,000 milesEngine cooling: “Total catalytic converter failure at 51,000 miles. Sat at dealership from jan 3,2006 to april 7, 2005 waiting for dealer only part. No cause found. Truck was in excellent running condition.”
NHTSA complaint #10183494, filed 2007-02, 51,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
54% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,000 and 90,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2002 Ford E-250 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E250 Econoline 2WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| E250 Econoline 2WD | 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 17 | 13 | $5,150 |
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-250 1992–2003, E-150 1992–2003, E-350 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-250 1992–2003, E-150 1992–2003, Econoline 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-250 1992–1993, 1997–2003, E-150 1992–1993, 1997–2003, E-350 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.
- 04V589000Dec 15, 2004Equipment adaptive/mobilityCovers: Ford E-250 2002–2004, E-350 2002–2004
On certain vans built on ford e250/e350 chassis and equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
- 04V232000May 13, 2004Equipment › Other › LabelsCovers: Ford E-250 2002–2003, E-350 2002
Certain vans and wagons fail to conform to the requirements of part 567, "certification." for certain 2003 e250 vans built with lt225/75r16e tires, the rear axle rating is incorrectly listed on the label. In addition, the tire pressure is incorrectly listed…
Recall details for the 2002 Ford E-250 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA10003HVAC Switch FailuresClosed · Apr 13, 2010
- DP05005Spark plug ejection from cylinder headClosed · Sep 22, 2005
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. 7 on record; the latest 7 are shown.
- 10148820Apr 6, 2018Steering. This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly…
- 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.
- 10012941Feb 7, 2005Electrical system. Diagnostic trouble code b1876, b1880, b1915 and/or b1920 in the ecs module - vehicles equipped with aftermarket high current devices.
- 10018941Jan 1, 2005Suspension. Vibration/harshness above 45 mph (72 km/h) after tire balance.
Other model years of the Ford E-250
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 7 | 59,830 | 11 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 11 | 40,000 | 11 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 8 | 53,500 | 12 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 6 | 27,746 | 16 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 9 | 81,427 | 11 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 6 | 76,000 | 21 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 6 | 21,500 | 26 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 12 | 5,600 | 29 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 11 | 57,300 | 9 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 8 | 89,500 | 16 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 17 | 50,103 | 7 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 17 | 40,000 | 5 | — | 14 | — | Falling |
| 2001 | 18 | 120,000 | 3 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 18 | 43,519 | 5 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 31 | 59,555 | 6 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 16 | 92,300 | 5 | — | 13 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 24 | 98,500 | 4 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 20 | 94,500 | 3 | — | 12 | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 15 | 115,000 | 3 | — | 12 | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 11 | 90,012 | 3 | — | 12 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 7 | 162,792 | 3 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 14 | 25,000 | 3 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 8 | 150,000 | 1 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 7 | 41,000 | 2 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Ford E-250 have?
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2002 Ford E-250 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Ford E-250 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 4 complaints (24% of the total), followed by tires with 4.
Has the 2002 Ford E-250 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 5 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-250 get?
The EPA rates the 2002 Ford E-250 (E250 Econoline 2WD, 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-250 reported?
Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 40,000 miles and the middle half falls between 30,000 and 90,000 miles; 54% 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.