2002 Ford F-150 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 1%of 821 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,752miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2002 Ford F-150, 1% of the 821 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,752 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Truck was purchased as used in oct, 2016, so we have no knowledge of previous driver's habits or problems. Everything seemed to work fine. Primary driver is 5 feet tall and moved the steering wheel down to make a more comfortable driving position. Late dec, 2016, early jan, 2017 while parked, we discovered the brake lights and one turn signal light no longer worked..the high mount brake light was a bad bulb, but when a check of fuses and bulbs for the other lights were found to be ok, we decided the brake light switch was bad. Wrong ! …”
NHTSA complaint #10948698, filed 2017-01, 163,000 miles“The 2002 Ford F-150 headlight switch breaks upon turning on headlights. It has not caused me to wreck, however it is a problem with turning lights on at night, fog, or rain. This is the third time this has happened. I ordered it from perry Ford of poway california, but the headlight switch is on back order. That is telling me that alot of people not just my self, are having the same problem. This should be a safety recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10082579, filed 2004-07, 38,000 miles“I purchased my 2002 Ford f150 super crew in august of 2002. I have had ongoing problems since I purchased the vehicle, and have had no responses or assistance from any Ford dealerships. The problems started out with my radio going on and off all on its own. I took my vehicle to the dealership at least 10 times alone for this problem. Never any assistance. The problems escalated around 40,000 miles and my whole electrical system seemed to be shorting out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10116836, filed 2005-04, 40,000 miles“I own a 2002 Ford F-150, xlt, purchased on may 2002.returning from a trip to orlando florida, I was traveling westbound on I-10, 45 miles east of tallahassee when I lost headlights ilumination. Loss headlights caused me to run off the road, though I was able to keep control of vehicle and minimize material damages. Upon inspection, it was determined that headlight control knob in dashboard had became loose and had caused the headlights to turn off.”
NHTSA complaint #10030805, filed 2003-08, 37,204 miles“Have noticed that the turn signals and tailbed brake lights do not work when moving the tilt wheel. Will work when steering wheel is placed in highest position. Have seen recall on ranger trucks for this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10644146, filed 2014-10, 118,870 milesExterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 6% |
| 2024 | 50 | 26% |
| 2023 | 23 | 6% |
| 2022 | 66 | 11% |
| 2021 | 116 | 11% |
| 2020 | 5 | 1% |
| 2019 | 11 | 1% |
| 2018 | 23 | 1% |
| 2017 | 5 | 0% |
| 2016 | 16 | 1% |
| 2015 | 17 | 1% |
| 2014 | 8 | 1% |
| 2013 | 17 | 1% |
| 2012 | 9 | 1% |
| 2011 | 30 | 1% |
| 2010 | 28 | 3% |
| 2009 | 12 | 4% |
| 2008 | 5 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 1% |
| 2006 | 11 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 0% |
| 2004 | 17 | 1% |
| 2003 | 6 | 1% |
| 2002 | 10 | 1% |
| 2001 | 11 | 1% |
| 2000 | 22 | 2% |
| 1999 | 16 | 2% |
| 1998 | 13 | 1% |
| 1997 | 34 | 1% |
| 1996 | 5 | 2% |
| 1995 | 9 | 1% |
| 1994 | 7 | 1% |
| 1993 | 10 | 2% |
| 1992 | 5 | 1% |
| 1990 | 2 | 1% |
| 1988 | 1 | 1% |
| 1984 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford F-150
196 complaintsElectrical system
106 complaintsFuel system
86 complaintsVehicle speed control
86 complaintsEngine
66 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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