"How reliable is the 2002 Ford F-150?"

"Based on 963 NHTSA complaints, the 2002 Ford F-150 has a median complaint mileage of 90000 miles. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling."

"What are common problems with the 2002 Ford F-150?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Ford F-150 is Engine And Engine Cooling, accounting for a significant portion of the 963 total complaints filed."

2002 Ford F-150: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 963 complaints

963

Total Complaints

90,000mi

Median Mileage

Engine And Engine Cooling

Top Issue

Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

51,145 25th Percentile

90,000 Median Mileage

136,500 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Engine

Electrical System

Vehicle Speed Control

Engine

Fuel System, Gasoline

Seat Belts

Unknown Or Other

Air Bags

Fuel/Propulsion System

Severity Assessment

Crashes

115

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"SENT EMAIL UNDER JPSK8RACER. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED. *AK"

"VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER RTS TIRES, P265/70R17. IN WET WEATHER REAREND OF VEHICLE SPINS OUT WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES. CONSUMER HAS OWNED THIS VEHICLE ONE WEEK, AND IT SPUN OUT TWICE. GOODYEAR CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE ATS TIRES NOT RTS.*AK"

"MY COMPANY PURCHASED THIS TRUCK FOR ME TO WORK IN \ WITH TO PERFORM MY JOB. THE SEAT IS TOO HIGH. MY EYES ARE LEVEL WITH THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD AND IT'S IRATAITING TO LOOK THUR THE COLORED PART IN THE TOP PART OF THE WINDSHIELD. SEATING THIS HIGH UP ALSO CAUSES THE REAR VIEW MIRROR TO BLOCK MY..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Engine And Engine Cooling 94 complaints

25th: 70,000 mi Median: 96,475 mi 75th: 117,000 mi

Engine 78 complaints

25th: 49,500 mi Median: 75,000 mi 75th: 104,115 mi

Electrical System 71 complaints

25th: 73,500 mi Median: 99,860 mi 75th: 145,500 mi

Vehicle Speed Control 66 complaints

25th: 82,800 mi Median: 137,200 mi 75th: 168,500 mi

Engine 66 complaints

25th: 106,900 mi Median: 138,000 mi 75th: 164,000 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

CA: 118 TX: 108 FL: 46 OH: 44 MI: 41 GA: 37 NY: 33 PA: 29 NC: 28 MA: 25

Who Files Complaints?

25.5%

Original Owners

74.5%

Second+ Owners

Ford F-150 — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1990	25	76,696	Fuel/Propulsion System	0
1991	357	110,000	Tank Assembly	12
1992	553	130,325	Selector Devices	25
1993	753	140,000	Tank Assembly	32
1994	908	130,000	Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	79
1995	788	117,000	Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	61
1996	383	113,250	Cruise Control	22
1997	3285	108,000	Engine	205
1998	1624	112,337	Fuel System, Gasoline	96
1999	1322	98,000	Engine	116
2000	1269	91,032	Fuel System, Gasoline	102
2001	1451	98,000	Vehicle Speed Control	113
2003	520	64,266	Electrical System	57
2004	2429	59,312	Power Window Devices And Controls	99
2005	1363	62,000	Power Window Devices And Controls	66
2006	735	62,000	Engine	72
2007	623	60,000	Engine	51
2008	455	60,346	Engine	48
2009	397	53,500	Vehicle Speed Control	34
2010	1131	56,183	Electrical System	33
2011	2938	68,500	Power Train	70
2012	2422	59,000	Power Train	57
2013	3849	72,000	Power Train	102
2014	1859	64,000	Power Train	56
2015	2036	48,000	Service Brakes	64
2016	2373	42,000	Power Train	67
2017	1595	46,500	Power Train	47
2018	2627	38,000	Power Train	104
2019	1532	59,142	Power Train	30
2020	797	33,000	Power Train	30
2021	1138	40,000	Power Train	19
2022	702	25,000	Power Train	29
2023	494	18,614	Power Train	25
2024	195	3,700	Exterior Lighting	25
2025	112	6,500	Power Train	7

Active Recalls (10)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Mounting

Campaign 11V385000 | 29/07/2011

AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY FAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL LINES TO SEPARATE FROM THE TANK, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSING THE TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND. EITHER SCENARIO MAY RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD.

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS REPLACED WITH STRAPS THAT HAVE INCREASED CORROSION PROTECTION. EARLY IN THIS CAMPAIGN, IF REPLACEMENT STRAPS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, DEALERS MAY INSTALL A CABLE SUPPORT UNDER THE STR

Headlights

Campaign 08E050000 | 11/08/2008

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Fuel System, Gasoline

Campaign 06E056000 | 13/06/2006

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Headlights

Campaign 06E067000 | 01/08/2006

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.

Vehicle Speed Control

Campaign 05V388000 | 07/09/2005

A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.

BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO

Exterior Lighting

Campaign 09E012000 | 07/04/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Headlights

Campaign 09E025000 | 11/05/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Electrical

Campaign 07E066000 | 28/08/2007

IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.

ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

Headlights

Campaign 06E052000 | 12/06/2006

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

SABRY LEE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER FULL CREDIT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLAMP. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JUNE 14, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABRY LEE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT 1-866-467-2279.

Exterior Lighting

Campaign 06E065000 | 17/07/2006

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Extend Your Engine Life

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

Change oil on schedule — this is the single most important thing you can do
Use the manufacturer-recommended oil weight and type
Replace the air filter every 15,000-30,000 miles
Don't ignore the check engine light — small issues become expensive fast
Let the engine warm up for 30 seconds before driving hard in cold weather
Address coolant leaks immediately to prevent overheating damage

Compare Ford F-150

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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28