2002 Ford F-250 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 15%of 156 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 88,715miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Ford F-250, 15% of the 156 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 88,715 miles. 1 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.
“2002 Ford F-250 pickup with a 5.4 litre engine. Spark plugs keep blowing out of the engine. The Ford service department tells me they see this often and then present me with a $400.00 bill each time a spark plug blows loose. I've recently learned that this can also result in an engine fire because the compressed gas and air mixture are being blown through the spark plug hole, while the loose plug continues to fire nearby.”
NHTSA complaint #10242969, filed 2008-09, 115,174 miles“On 03/16/2012 at 10:30pm while on my way home from work, I came to a stop at a stop sign. Truck was running fine. As I pulled away from the stop sign and accelerating I heard a loud pop and what sounded like an exhaust leak. I immediately pulled over and looked under the hood. I found that the coil on the #3 spark plug was out and the exhaust sound was coming from the hole where the spark plug should have been. Only living 2 miles from work, I drove the truck home and parked it til morning. …”
NHTSA complaint #10452118, filed 2012-03, 88,715 miles“The ignition shut off unexpectedly. The vehicle was towed to a service dealer and they were unable to resolve the problem. There was no code for the check engine at the early stages of the problem. The engine died and the consumer's vehicle drifted into the other lane. The service dealer found that the cam sensor was bad and the exhaust sensor was replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10072187, filed 2004-07, 46,000 miles“- the contact stated that while driving the 2002 Ford f250 with 100,000 failure mileage at 55 MPH the contact heard a loud popping noise, the vehicle was riding rough and it started to shake. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and they stated that the spark plug blew out of the aluminum head. The contact was concerned that this was a serious safety problem. The current mileage was 140,000. The vehicle would lose power when the spark plug failed. Update 4/25/07”
NHTSA complaint #10184656, filed 2007-03, 100,000 miles“(1) failed during driving at highway speed on narrow road without shoulder. Caused complete and immediate engine shutdown, loss of power steering and substantial challenge in steering out of corner. (2) failure of part: camshaft position sensor on Ford 2002 7.3l power stroke diesel engine in F-250 sd pickup. (3) dealer replaced sensor and also synchronizer assembly under warranty. Cost was $100 deductible and $96.87 tow bill. Old parts not available.”
NHTSA complaint #10166676, filed 2006-08, 51,390 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10013071Oct 1, 2002Loud squealing noise from the engine area when the engine fan clutch is under load while operated in hot dusty climates. Vehicles equipped with a 7.3l engine.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 12 | 5% |
| 2011 | 7 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 4% |
| 2008 | 15 | 8% |
| 2007 | 3 | 5% |
| 2006 | 17 | 8% |
| 2005 | 17 | 12% |
| 2004 | 44 | 29% |
| 2003 | 24 | 21% |
| 2002 | 23 | 15% |
| 2001 | 21 | 10% |
| 2000 | 33 | 10% |
| 1999 | 66 | 11% |
| 1998 | 8 | 14% |
| 1997 | 29 | 10% |
| 1996 | 28 | 16% |
| 1995 | 34 | 18% |
| 1994 | 18 | 15% |
| 1993 | 29 | 22% |
| 1992 | 14 | 12% |
| 1991 | 8 | 7% |
| 1990 | 10 | 9% |
| 1989 | 7 | 6% |
| 1988 | 4 | 6% |
| 1987 | 6 | 16% |
| 1986 | 5 | 13% |
| 1985 | 3 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford F-250
22 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford F-250
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