2002 Ford E-350 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 30%of 53 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Ford E-350, 30% of the 53 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Started my 2001 Ford E-350. After 10-15 seconds, large pop and engine died. Opened hood and found right rear spark plug had blown out of engine. I'm an engineer and I've been working on engines of all descriptions for 35 years. This is an obvious engineering defect. Ford should replace the parts. We have a fleet of fords. I now wish it was a fleet of chevy's.”
NHTSA complaint #10405384, filed 2011-06, 137,152 miles“My 2002 Ford E-350 has been found to have a spark plug blow out. This hapened without notice. I have been told that I need a tune-up. I have researched online and found many complaints about Ford truck engines ejecting spark plugs. I'm concerned that if all the plugs are replaced, that the problem may not fuller be solved without some very expensive work.”
NHTSA complaint #10278188, filed 2009-07, 151,000 miles“After traveling 10 miles during my morning commute, while at 40 MPH, a spark plug ejected from my Ford triton v8 engine causing raw fuel fumes to enter the engine compartment and passenger cabin. This has resulted in an estimated $1900 repair bill from my local Ford dealer to remove and repair the plug threads for the ejected plug.”
NHTSA complaint #10256974, filed 2009-01, 23,500 miles“The vehicle in question was purchased used with 82,000 showing on the odometer. I owned the vehicle for 2 1/2 months prior to this engine issue. Left for work on the morning of dec. 20 2006. I am an in home service plumber. Approach. 1:30 pm on the aforementioned day, I started my vehicle to leave one job and proceed to another, and upon starting the vehicle, heard a very loud pop, followed by a continuous exhaust leak type sound. …”
NHTSA complaint #10177026, filed 2006-12, 85,545 miles“2002 Ford e350 5.4l spark plug #7 blow out. The average consumer would think that something was wrong with the exhaust system before ever knowing or expecting that compressed fuel was being pumped into the engine compartment from the exposed spark plug orifice. At the same time, the sparked plug coil wire is still active, combining a non-contained fuel / spark condition, possibly resulting in fire or explosion.”
NHTSA complaint #10226562, filed 2008-05, 118,000 milesEngine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 8% |
| 2009 | 2 | 20% |
| 2008 | 1 | 3% |
| 2007 | 3 | 17% |
| 2006 | 13 | 25% |
| 2005 | 16 | 29% |
| 2004 | 10 | 22% |
| 2003 | 6 | 13% |
| 2002 | 16 | 30% |
| 2001 | 14 | 27% |
| 2000 | 6 | 10% |
| 1999 | 12 | 17% |
| 1998 | 8 | 13% |
| 1997 | 15 | 19% |
| 1996 | 3 | 6% |
| 1995 | 4 | 6% |
| 1994 | 8 | 16% |
| 1993 | 7 | 16% |
| 1992 | 4 | 10% |
| 1991 | 2 | 11% |
| 1990 | 2 | 9% |
| 1989 | 4 | 15% |
| 1988 | 1 | 9% |
| 1987 | 3 | 21% |
| 1986 | 3 | 27% |
| 1983 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford E-350
8 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford E-350
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology