2002 Ford F-150 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 66about this part
- Share
- 8%of 821 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 138,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 66 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Ford F-150, 8% of the 821 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 138,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 9 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The spark plug on the passenger side of my vehicle exploded out of the head as soon as I started the vehicle breaking the coil pack in the process. I purchased the vehicle used a year ago and since the plug blew out on me I discovered that this is not the first time this has happened to my truck so it is an ongoing problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10874976, filed 2016-06, 159,000 miles“On more than one occasion spark plug and coil for #4 cylinder has blown out. Few times I was able to tighten down the plug and replace the coil. Last time it happened it messed up the threads. Had to buy a special plug to put in along with a rethread part. Now I can not every replace that spark plug do to having the threading housing.”
NHTSA complaint #10578127, filed 2014-04, 145,000 miles“On start up a sparkplug blew out of cylinder head .... 3rd plug to bow out in 8 months over 800.00 per plug to fix then caught on fire under hood......very dangerous to have happen may cause our house to burn down if in garage.... I called Ford 4 times no help what so ever.....bad company .....do not advise ......bad Ford products....they need to do a class action on Ford .....”
NHTSA complaint #10463649, filed 2012-06, 97,000 miles“While driving my vehicle under very normal circumstances, traveling approximately 30mph, my truck began to run very rough and there were loud popping noises coming from the top of the passenger side valve cover. It turned out to be a blown-out spark plug and coil pack.”
NHTSA complaint #10638440, filed 2014-09, 160,000 miles“Exhaust clamp that holds exhaust damper or counter weight fell off ( because of rusted exhaust clamp ) while driving at 50 miles per hour. Its quite heavy and was bouncing on road behind me almost hitting motorcycle following me. I found my exhaust damper on side of road, if needed for investigation.”
NHTSA complaint #10468356, filed 2012-07, 180,000 milesEngine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 17% |
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2024 | 12 | 6% |
| 2023 | 27 | 6% |
| 2022 | 38 | 6% |
| 2021 | 84 | 8% |
| 2020 | 130 | 18% |
| 2019 | 322 | 24% |
| 2018 | 510 | 22% |
| 2017 | 314 | 21% |
| 2016 | 317 | 15% |
| 2015 | 265 | 15% |
| 2014 | 180 | 12% |
| 2013 | 548 | 18% |
| 2012 | 483 | 27% |
| 2011 | 482 | 22% |
| 2010 | 107 | 13% |
| 2009 | 42 | 13% |
| 2008 | 53 | 14% |
| 2007 | 105 | 22% |
| 2006 | 74 | 13% |
| 2005 | 117 | 11% |
| 2004 | 92 | 5% |
| 2003 | 28 | 7% |
| 2002 | 66 | 8% |
| 2001 | 44 | 4% |
| 2000 | 23 | 2% |
| 1999 | 27 | 3% |
| 1998 | 14 | 1% |
| 1997 | 15 | 1% |
| 1996 | 3 | 1% |
| 1995 | 2 | 0% |
| 1994 | 3 | 0% |
| 1993 | 1 | 0% |
| 1989 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford F-150
196 complaintsElectrical system
106 complaintsFuel system
86 complaintsVehicle speed control
86 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
53 complaintsSeat belts
50 complaintsBody and structure
45 complaintsBrakes
42 complaintsAir bags
35 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
30 complaintsOther or unknown
29 complaintsSteering
25 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford F-150
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