2002 Ford F-150 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 53about this part
- Share
- 6%of 821 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,260miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 53 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Ford F-150, 6% of the 821 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,260 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Spark plug blow out on a 2002 F-150 with only 47k miles on the truck. This truck is not a work truck, but an every day truck. I do not haul a lot, and have treated this truck with a lot of care. It will cost me $1100 to get fixed. This design flaw should of had a recall on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10422485, filed 2011-08, 47,523 miles“On my way to a wedding I noticed the rpms kick up. I pushed button on trans selector and problem went away (for now).was parking truck and found I had no reverse. Monday took truck to dealer , mechanic could not find anything wrong till he opened cup transmission. Mechanic found weld on sun shell broken. Called Ford no help. Spring hill Ford put a rebuilt trans in truck.”
NHTSA complaint #10234892, filed 2008-07, 66,109 miles“My 2002 Ford f150 needed to have the transmission rebuilt. My overdrive light was blinking on and off and I later found out the entire transmission needed to be rebuilt. I've been reading online from several people who have had this same problem. It seems like Ford has some type of problem with this year. I don't understand why there can not be a recall in regards to this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10217582, filed 2008-02, 54,260 miles“My 2002 F-150 supercrew 4x2 with 4.6lv8 experienced a failure of the automatic transmission on saturday at only 75k miles. The result is a rebuild/replacement for >$2000.00! I don't tow anything with the vehicle and it isn't abused. This type of failure is very premature! The truck has been very well maintained. My mechanic says there is a history with this transmission in the Ford trucks/SUV's having lubrication problems. Ford should step up and take responsibility for the design defect!”
NHTSA complaint #10259967, filed 2009-02, 75,000 miles“We have a Ford f150 boss truck (2002) that has only 30,000 miles on it. The transmission went out yesterday. The truck has absolutely not had a hard life. We take very good care of our vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #10194704, filed 2007-06, 30,147 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10017892Apr 1, 2005Rear axle noise repair.
- 10014659Mar 1, 2005Axle whine howl. This includes 1997-05 ford vehicles.
- 10014275Jan 1, 2005A driveline clunk or bump when starting from a stop.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26 | 24% |
| 2024 | 58 | 30% |
| 2023 | 159 | 38% |
| 2022 | 162 | 27% |
| 2021 | 321 | 31% |
| 2020 | 360 | 49% |
| 2019 | 740 | 55% |
| 2018 | 1,018 | 44% |
| 2017 | 557 | 38% |
| 2016 | 615 | 29% |
| 2015 | 434 | 25% |
| 2014 | 426 | 28% |
| 2013 | 1,346 | 45% |
| 2012 | 682 | 38% |
| 2011 | 829 | 38% |
| 2010 | 121 | 14% |
| 2009 | 33 | 10% |
| 2008 | 50 | 14% |
| 2007 | 57 | 12% |
| 2006 | 46 | 8% |
| 2005 | 112 | 10% |
| 2004 | 232 | 11% |
| 2003 | 62 | 15% |
| 2002 | 53 | 6% |
| 2001 | 74 | 6% |
| 2000 | 47 | 4% |
| 1999 | 75 | 7% |
| 1998 | 83 | 6% |
| 1997 | 151 | 5% |
| 1996 | 26 | 8% |
| 1995 | 75 | 12% |
| 1994 | 56 | 8% |
| 1993 | 40 | 7% |
| 1992 | 28 | 6% |
| 1991 | 13 | 4% |
| 1990 | 13 | 5% |
| 1989 | 9 | 4% |
| 1988 | 8 | 6% |
| 1987 | 2 | 2% |
| 1986 | 2 | 3% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford F-150
196 complaintsElectrical system
106 complaintsFuel system
86 complaintsVehicle speed control
86 complaintsEngine
66 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 30, 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