2002 Ford F-250 SD Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 101about this part
- Share
- 41%of 245 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,116miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 101 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Ford F-250 SD, 41% of the 245 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,116 miles. 8 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 2002 Ford f250 3/4 ton 4-door long box truck. It was a wyoming highway department truck. I got it in january and it was running great with 170,000 miles on it, then the # 3 spark plug was spit out of the engine on startup, after it sat for a half hour in september. The coil pack also was spit out and was dangling out on the valve cover.”
NHTSA complaint #10285570, filed 2009-09, 170,000 miles“Vehicle has quit running on several occasions, engine just dies, has been happening for about 6 months periodically. On june 2 2007 engine quit 3 times in a half hour time period,replaced camshaft sensor at my expense warranty expired on jan 1 2007. I have read of several complaints about these sensors on the internet and would like to share mine also.”
NHTSA complaint #10192343, filed 2007-06, 85,450 miles“Well guess what, it's me again with f250 4x4 with the triton motor. Got in it made it about 1/10 of a mile, it started shimming and running rough again and it died. I'm afraid to start it because of the spark plug ejecting already once and I'm afraid it's going to do it again and catch fire. Ford if this keeps up u will have a lawsuit and you can bring in your big lawyers but I guarantee you will not win.”
NHTSA complaint #10328448, filed 2010-05, 160,000 miles“Ford f-250 spark plug came out of head, broke off coil pack, cant get new plug back in. This should not be able to happen. I guess I am going to try helicoil,it happened on the 3rd cyl back from the front on right side so its kind of under the windshield all ready, not much room for drill.”
NHTSA complaint #10330098, filed 2010-05, 60,560 miles“On august 30, 2008 my 2002 f-250 blew the number 2 spark plug out of the cylinder head. Due to the holiday weekend I have to wait till tuesday to get an estimate on how much it will cost to repair it. I have searched this problem and found this to be common among Ford products. Ford needs to set this as a recall item. Ford back your product up you charge enough for them........”
NHTSA complaint #10240481, filed 2008-08, 138,140 milesRelated recalls
- 07V553000Dec 5, 2007On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 7.3l diesel engines, the camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle may function intermittently…Covers: Ford F-250 SD 1997–2003, F-450 SD 1997–2003, E Series 1997–2003 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10024865Apr 1, 20081999-2008 7.3l/6.0l/6.4l/4.5l diesel f-super duty - clean the charge air cooler (cac) system after certain turbo or engine failures - service tip.
- 10022243Apr 1, 2007Lack of power due to low fuel pressure - fuel tank liner seperation.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 3 | 2% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 3 | 0% |
| 2016 | 7 | 2% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2014 | 2 | 8% |
| 2013 | 1 | 5% |
| 2012 | 7 | 12% |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% |
| 2010 | 11 | 34% |
| 2009 | 5 | 22% |
| 2008 | 33 | 23% |
| 2007 | 4 | 7% |
| 2006 | 18 | 7% |
| 2005 | 37 | 13% |
| 2004 | 101 | 40% |
| 2003 | 72 | 40% |
| 2002 | 101 | 41% |
| 2001 | 91 | 32% |
| 2000 | 69 | 30% |
| 1999 | 95 | 38% |
| 1997 | 11 | 28% |
| 1996 | 4 | 36% |
| 1995 | 2 | 22% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford F-250 SD
30 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsTires
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford F-250 SD
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