2002 Ford F-450 SD Problems
- Complaints
- 14filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles, 9 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Ford F-450 SD (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2002 Ford F-450 SD. The part named most often is fuel system, with 7 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and brakes (1). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 44% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 55,000 miles. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 17 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the diesel and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system7 50%
- Engine cooling2 14%
- Brakes1 7.1%
- Electrical system1 7.1%
- Seats1 7.1%
- Vehicle speed control1 7.1%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “I own a 2002 Ford f450 that I rely heavily on in my small lawn maintenance business. When that truck doesn't run, I don't earn any money and in fact I am in the red. I have discovered through the briefest of on-line searches though that I am only one of thousands who have run in to the problem I'm having now. My truck recently failed during the workday and the cause was diagnosed as a rusty (some are saying delaminated) fuel tank, which along with several related parts had to be replaced for a total cost of over $4200. …”
NHTSA complaint #10281890, filed 2009-08, 109,666 milesEngine cooling: “Front pasenger compartment floorboard heats up to 160+ degrees when in hilly or mountanious area of driving. Pasenger unable to keep feet on floor board due to heat. F450 10 cyl gasoline engine motorhome. Ford dealer states common complaint for this engine & vehichle no remedy offered.”
NHTSA complaint #10089072, filed 2004-09, 2,000 milesBrakes: “When depressing the brakes pedal went all the way to the floor before stopping. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The booster was replaced, but nothing changed. The consumer tried other vehicles at two different dealers and the vehicle displayed the same problem. As soon as one applied the brakes, they would lock up and there would be no friction to turn the wheels on and the computer would think that the vehicle was stopped.”
NHTSA complaint #10080012, filed 2004-07Mileage when problems were reported
44% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 29,800 and 90,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 11V352000Jul 13, 2011Exterior lighting › Brake lightsCovers: Ford F-450 SD 2002–2007, Ranger 2004–2011, F-350 2002–2007 +5 more
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 ranger trucks built from january 25, 2011, through april 25, 2011 at the twin cities assembly plant, and service parts distributed to dealers for certain 2004 through 2011 model year ranger trucks, 2002 through 2005…
- 09V399000Oct 13, 2009Vehicle speed controlCovers: Ford F-450 SD 1993–1997, 1999–2003, E-150 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003 +12 more
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and…
- 07V553000Dec 5, 2007Engine and engine cooling › Engine › DieselCovers: Ford F-450 SD 1997–2003, E Series 1997–2003, F-550 SD 1997–2003 +3 more
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 7.3l diesel engines, the camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle may function intermittently, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
- 06V286000Aug 1, 2006Vehicle speed controlCovers: Ford F-450 SD 1994–2002, F-250 1994–2002, F-350 1994–2002 +10 more
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
Recall details for the 2002 Ford F-450 SD → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 17 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10171326Jan 13, 2020Equipment. This SKU is a Spare Tire Hoist. Test results identified that the pull force parameter was not within specification, as a precautionary measure unsold inventory was requested to be returned for…
- 10171325Jan 13, 2020Equipment. This SKU is a Spare Tire Hoist. Test results identified that the pull force parameter was not within specification, as a precautionary measure unsold inventory was requested to be returned for…
- 10165713Sep 2, 2019Electrical system. Some 2002-2008 F-Super Duty, F-150 and Mark LT vehicles may exhibit concern during or after programing the VSM. The programming may fail or vehicle symptoms such as inoperative door locks, dome…
- 10055648Feb 1, 2014Equipment. Ford: the restraint control module (rcm) when using vcm ii, would have an error code 35 and diagnostic trouble code (dtc) b1035, and difficulty attempting programmable module installation (pmi)…
- 10023653Nov 1, 2007Transmission and drivetrain. 1999-2008 f250-f550 super duty 4x4 with electronic shift transfer case not engaging 4x4.
- 10018067Oct 7, 2005Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Vacuum pump inoperative or runs continuously - climate control defaults to defrost mode.
- 10018054Oct 7, 2005Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Service kit available for wiper motor wiring.
- 10013402Oct 7, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. Drive away shudder or vibration.
- 10017865Jul 1, 2005Exterior lighting. Headlight adjustment - chassis cab incomplete vehicles.
- 10014138Jun 7, 2005Seat belts. Safety belt retraction speed.
Other model years of the Ford F-450 SD
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | 9,707 | 3 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 5 | — | 13 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 24 | 75,000 | 14 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2021 | 18 | 2,763 | 12 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2011 | 6 | 58,250 | 8 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 68 | 34,090 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2007 | 16 | 53,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2006 | 35 | 49,791 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 40 | 51,650 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 33 | 48,101 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 16 | 55,221 | 5 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 14 | 55,000 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 23 | 60,351 | 7 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 43 | 61,135 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 66 | 76,000 | 9 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 5 | — | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 6 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford F-450 SD model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Ford F-450 SD have?
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2002 Ford F-450 SD as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Ford F-450 SD is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 7 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.
Has the 2002 Ford F-450 SD been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Ford F-450 SD reported?
Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 55,000 miles and the middle half falls between 29,800 and 90,000 miles; 44% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.