Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2002 Ford F-150. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗FUEL TANK STRAP CORROSION
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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
SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
- Consequence
- A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy
- 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)
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (821)
821 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 821 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 196 | 23.9% |
| Electrical system | 106 | 12.9% |
| Vehicle speed control | 86 | 10.5% |
| Engine | 66 | 8% |
| Fuel system | 65 | 7.9% |
| Power train | 53 | 6.5% |
| Seat belts | 50 | 6.1% |
| Structure | 45 | 5.5% |
| Service brakes | 40 | 4.9% |
| Air bags | 35 | 4.3% |
How 2002 compares with other F-150 years
Best and worst F-150 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 1,381 | 8 |
| 1999 | 1,044 | 7 |
| 2000 | 1,075 | 6 |
| 2001 | 1,236 | 8 |
| 2002 | 821 | 2 |
| 2003 | 423 | 4 |
| 2004 | 2,029 | 5 |
| 2005 | 1,112 | 3 |
| 2006 | 585 | 4 |
| 2007 | 488 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 17 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,950
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 523 g/mi
- EPA class
- Standard Pickup Trucks
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 17 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 4.2 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 | 593 |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 | 593 |
| 4.2 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 | 593 |
| 4.2 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 | 593 |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 17 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 / 15 / 12 | $6,850 | 741 |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 / 15 / 12 | $3,850 | 586 |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 / 15 / 12 | $5,600 | 741 |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 / 15 / 12 | $5,600 | 741 |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 10 / 14 / 11 | $6,100 | 808 |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 10 / 14 / 11 | $6,100 | 808 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2002 F-150 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2002 Ford F-150 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford F-150 have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 11V385000 (fuel system), 05V388000 (vehicle speed control). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2002 Ford F-150 problems?
Owners filed 821 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (196), Electrical system (106), Vehicle speed control (86) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2002 Ford F-150 get?
EPA rates the 4.2 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 15 city, 19 highway and 17 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2002 F-150 compare with other years?
Among the 1998–2007 Ford F-150 model years at least five years old, the 2003 drew the fewest complaints (423) and the 2004 the most (2,029). The 2002 drew 821. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.