CarRecallDB

2002 Ford F-150 recalls and problems

2 recalls and 821 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Ford F-150.

2
recalls
821
owner complaints
51
complaints mentioning a crash
95
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Ford F-150 recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly, mounting

NHTSA campaign 11V385000 · reported July 29, 2011 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 1,100,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford is recalling certain 1997 through 2003 model year ford f-150, 2004 model year ford f-150 heritage, 1997 through 1999 model year f-250 less than 8,500 lbs. Gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr), and 2002 and 2003 lincoln blackwood vehicles manufactured from june 20, 1995, through august 4, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. Prolonged exposure to road deicing chemicals may cause severe corrosion of the fuel tank straps which secure the tank to the vehicle.
The risk
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.
The fix
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 strap as an interim repair or a steel reinforcement over the existing strap as a permanent repair. Any repairs will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on september 16, 2011. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 11s21

Vehicle speed control

NHTSA campaign 05V388000 · reported September 7, 2005 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 4,500,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.
The risk
A fire at the switch could occur.
The fix
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 reconnect the speed control beginning in february 2006. Owners who did not have their speed control deactivated are being notified to have their system remedied beginning in february 2006. Owners are urged to avail themselves of the free disconnect service as soon as possible because of the significant risk of fire. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. (note: also see recalls 05v017 and 06v286)

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jul 17, 2026 · Unknown or other

I had the recall number 05s28 repaired at high desert ford on July sixth as a part of a California safety inspection to register my vehicle. Per ford they are done however they refuse to update the system which holds my vehicle unable to be registered even after the services were rendered and complete. Multiple…

Apr 8, 2026 · Fuel/propulsion system

Cruise control kicked on and won't go off. Gas fumes come from the AC unit. When driving the truck started speeding up. Now the truck is parked.

May 15, 2025 · Seat belts

Front seatbelts on 2002 Ford F-150 become unlatched unexpectedly while driving. This has been noticed over the last two or three years occasionally, but has been getting worse. Seat belt has become unlatched about 5-6 times during a 600 mile road trip. Seat belt was confirmed by two passengers that it was indeed…

Mar 9, 2025 · Fuel/propulsion system

Just learned of recall.

Jul 26, 2024 · Unknown or other

DRIVING DOWN […] THE STRAPS ON MY GAS TANK BROKE BECAUSE THEY RUSTED THRU CAUSING GAS TANK TO DROP AND SPILL FUEL ALL OVER […] IN IOWA CAUSING SO MUCH FUEL SPILLED OUT THEY HAD TO CLOSE ONE LANE OF TRAFFIC....THE FIRE DEPT CHIEF OF WHITING, IOWA, STEVEN SNYDER, Can verify what happened....THERE IS A POLICE REPORT BUT…

F-150 model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2000 61,07581343
2001 81,23691248
2002 28215195
2003 44234337
2004 52,0297540
2005 31,1125029

Across all years, the 2013 F-150 has the most complaints (2,992). All Ford F-150 years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Ford F-150 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 Ford F-150, the most recent reported on July 29, 2011 (Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly, mounting). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford F-150?
Owners have filed 821 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine and engine cooling (196 complaints), followed by electrical system (106).
How many 2002 Ford F-150 complaints mention a crash or fire?
51 of 821 complaints report a crash and 95 a fire; 60 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received July 17, 2026.