10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,933 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Ford F-150:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #25

Sep 022022

F-150

  • miles
Unknown cause of incident. Vehicle is available for inspection. Vehicle spontaneously burst into flames. No reproduction due to incident happening on 09/02/2022. Vehicle inspected by Fire Department and California Highway Patrol. No warnings or symptoms leading up to incident. On 09/02/2022 I attempted to help my wife that was stranded out State Route Highway 36 in her 2009 BMW 750 LI at the Van Duzen Grange. I had been hooked up to her car for approximately 10 to 15 minutes with my truck idling when she screamed, " Your truck's on FIRE!" I barely got myself out of the cab when a ball of flames shot through the dashboard. 3/4ths of the truck was consumed in fire in less than 5 minutes. Fire Department arrived approximately 10 minutes later and doused the fire. Everything in my truck was destroyed. My wife's BMW suffered severe damage to the front end.

- Bridgeville, CA, USA

problem #24

May 212021

F-150

  • miles
This F 150 has experienced SUA. I have reported it back in June. I have tried to fix the problem but I cannot. I don't know what causes my truck to accelerate full throttle. So, I've come to the conclusion I must move on. Then I realized I really cannot sell the vehicle" Somebody would be killed no doubt. I've been lucky and savvy enough to slide the shifter into neutral. If I sell the truck and do not mention the problem? The thing is I could sell this truck in 5 minutes. It runs like a top spins. I have always taken care of any maintenance issues since purchasing new. I've educated myself on SUA. It's extremely interesting but if you've experienced it, it is awful. I read one story about a guy who wanted a Toyota dealership to take his Camry back. It was practically new. They would not. So he went to another dealership and traded it in. I can't blame the guy but I can not sell my truck and sleep at night. So what do I do with a truck that roars off like a rocket ship? How many people have had this problem? And what do they do with the car/truck once they realize it really cannot be driven anymore"

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #23

Jun 172021

F-150

  • miles
SUA sudden unwanted acceleration, at least 4 times. No floor mats. 1st time truck surged back and forth a little then accelerated full throttle. I went to neutral. I kicked gas pedal although gas peddle was not depressed. It stopped. I was shook up but in control. I decided to remove throttle body and clean extensively. Replaced TB Sensor w/ genuine Ford part and replaced throttle valve on top. Hoped for the best. Still have the problem. 2002 F 150 XL 4.2 purchased new. I still have truck because its been such a great truck, I never felt like it was time to move on. It runs like new and I've taken care of it. I am writing this info for safety and only safety. I've been researching this issue. trying to solve problem. I took truck to qualified shop where mechanic is known to me and he was a little stumped. No codes, no check engine light. Can't solve the puzzle? So, I'm on top of the possibility of it happening. I really don't go anywhere w/ truck, to the store and back pretty much. So when its happens, I'm fast to go to neutral. I also feel like if I wanted to show somebody what I'm talking about, all they have to do is get in. I'm almost positive if I punch the gas peddle just a little, say to pass a slow driver, it'll go like hell. I have started thinking about my next truck. But no way I'm trading or selling this truck and passing the problem to someone else. So, I'm dealing with it and really hope my experience helps. I've read the story's on line. Because I've lived it, I can tell you its a bit terrifying. That's my story Thank You Jim Winn

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #22

Feb 042020

F-150

  • 263,773 miles
When my truck is in idol position, the truck jumps as though it is either trying to shut off or take off. I actually hit another vehicle in a drive through while sitting in idol position.

- Somerset, KY, USA

problem #21

Nov 222019

F-150

  • miles
Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with Southern Comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, Inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #20

May 142019

F-150

  • 150,000 miles
The truck simply shut down while I was driving. The engine stopped running. For a period of about a month prior to this action, the truck would sometimes, randomly, not start. After waiting a period of time the truck would start.

- Victoria, TX, USA

problem #19

Aug 042018

F-150

  • 240,000 miles
Stationary caught fire in storage garage, damaging, equipment lawn mowers, motorhome, structure.

- Ogden, UT, USA

problem #18

Feb 022018

F-150

  • 196,000 miles
Fuel tank straps rusted away, and fuel tank starting leaking and tank is falling out this week., truck had been serviced at Ford and checked for recalls. Corrosion seems pervasive in area of fuel tank, 4.6L V8 coyote series, 2 wd, short bed extra cab XLT trim mileage 197K. Truck otherwise in good condition, we live in agricultural South jersey.

- Steelmantown, NJ, USA

problem #17

Oct 012017

F-150

  • 141,513 miles
My fiance and I had to place are full size spare on that came with truck it was brand new we had no choice bc this was Friday evening and out local tire shop was closed tell today (Monday) yesterday we drove 7 mile to collinsvile to change brakes after we finish we load our 3 kids and befan to hide home another 3 miles from home we notice the truck shaking then we heard load pop and tail of the truck lost control for about 2 second once we got control back we pulled to safety to only see the driver side of the bed cracked tore and shattered. Even the hose where U fuel U truck up at had been damagetting when we continued to examine the tire it wasn't blown and it's still holding air. But plz explain to me how the entire center section of tread ripped off for no reason and not only put my children in danger but damaged my truck to a severe extent ? it's a full sie hercules terrain trac size 16 had nothing wrong with it tell now.

- Whitesboro, TX, USA

problem #16

Sep 142014

F-150

  • 136,500 miles
Takata recall. While I was driving I noticed a loud pop and my truck started vibrating and spun me sideways going down the highway. I had fought it until I was able to get it under control and come to a stop. (I was lucky enough that nobody else was heading in my direction because the truck took up both sides of the road). I got out and looked to see what had happened and seen my aluminum Ford factory rim had busted into pieces. Takata recall. A problem that I am having as of right now is spark plugs keep flying out and destroying my coil packs. This is the third time it has done this.

- Mckee, KY, USA

problem #15

Aug 062014

F-150

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle ignited into flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed and remained at the residence. The VIN was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Lufkin, TX, USA

problem #14

Mar 052011

F-150

  • miles
Truck was parked in hotel parking lot and caught fire.

- Tahoka, TX, USA

problem #13

Dec 242010

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • 154,000 miles
2002 Ford F150, 4X4, 4 door. Was driving home from Kansas City Kansas to emporia Kansas, lucky I was stopping by a friends house in lawrence ks. I was stopped @ a red light in downtown, when the light turned green I gave my truck gas, heard a pop, smelled gas & lumped to a safe place to stop. Ended up having to call a friend & rent a trailer to drag my truck home. Found out that it had "blowin" a "spark plug"! what the heck"?" the consumer report book said nothing about this!!!!! after reading everyone's stories, I am sure, Ford pays them off! not just the "best" truck in America!!! but the "world"!!! but no I listened to my husband... I myself am a mopar person. Ladies don't let them men pick your ride for ya... hate to see you get stuck with a Ford like me.. because we all know "Ford" is not going to address this problem for us. But don't give up hope there is a: "world's best Ford spark plug thread repair kit". now don't we all feel "cozy"..... haha (sorry guys, girls just pick better rides!) 1/6/2011.

- Emporia, KS, USA

problem #12

May 312010

F-150 8-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
Spark plug blow out Ford F150 4.6 V8 Triton engine.

- Apollo, PA, USA

problem #11

Dec 292008

F-150

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. While idling for approximately three minutes, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was unable to be restarted. The contact is in the process of having the vehicle inspected to determine the cause of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 83,000.

- Johnson City, TN, USA

problem #10

May 122008

F-150

  • 84,000 miles
My 2002 Ford F-150 extended cab 5.4litre pickup blew a spark plug out of the number 3 cylinder. I called the local dealer to inquire as to the price of replacing an exhaust gasket as this is what the noise sounded like. The service adviser after hearing the make model and size engine and year of the truck said, "no you did not blow the exhaust gasket, you blew a spark plug out of the head". I was astounded as to how he could make a diagnosis of this type as I had never even heard of such an occurrence. The cost would be a minimum of $850. After going on the internet this seems to be a prevalent problem.

- Sacramento , CA, USA

problem #9

Feb 022007

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
2002 Ford F-150 supercrew bought new from rivertown Ford. Paint is blistering. Small pieces of "?" are showing everywhere on the vehicle. Ford says its too late and not their problem. Paint job "blistering" less than 5 years old...... sounds like another late 80's - early 90's Ford paint problem again.

- Fortson, GA, USA

problem #8

Oct 142006

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 172,000 miles
I was viewing property in another county. I left my wehicle parked on a ranch road in order to ride with the realtor. When I returned to my vehicle (2002 F150 super crew) it was engulfed in flames. I had a camera because I was taking pictures of the property, so I have pictures of the truck on fire as well as pictures after the fire dept. Put out the fire. All contents and the vehicle were destroyed, but there were no injuries to any people or other property. There was an off duty police officer at the site when I returned, but I didn't get his name. He called the fire department and told me there wasn't anything else I could do. The realtor, a friend, and I left to view more property. We returned to take more pictures after the fire department had left as well.

- Laredo, TX, USA

problem #7

Jun 202006

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles
The brake pedal stopped moving when actuating the adjustable pedals. The accelerator pedal moves so there is no step over height difference between the pedals. With the pedals being at the same height position there is no way to differentiate between them or step on both at same time.

- Canton, MI, USA

problem #6

Mar 042006

F-150 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My husband was driving his Ford truck F-150 and suddenly crashed into a tree. He was seriously injury and still in the hospital he was in critical condition for two days and he will be disable for the rest of his life. The accident happened last week on March 4,2006.

- Bellevue, MI, USA

Read the next 5 complaints »