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2002 Ford F Series (Light)

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 13 of 13 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

13 reports
90,000 miles · Jul 6, 2018
Engine

WE PURCHASED A CAR FROM NAB AUTOS IN FREDERICKSBURG, VA. AFTER THE 7TH DAY OF DRIVING IT, THE MOTOR BLEW UP. WRONG SPARK PLUGS WERE INSTALLED BY DEALER. ALSO THE TRUCK HAD BEEN RACED WITH NITROUS WHICH WE WERE UNAWARE OF UNTIL WE TRIED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO MOTOR. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION FROM THE REPAIR SHOP. MY 18 YEAR OLD …

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WE PURCHASED A CAR FROM NAB AUTOS IN FREDERICKSBURG, VA. AFTER THE 7TH DAY OF DRIVING IT, THE MOTOR BLEW UP. WRONG SPARK PLUGS WERE INSTALLED BY DEALER. ALSO THE TRUCK HAD BEEN RACED WITH NITROUS WHICH WE WERE UNAWARE OF UNTIL WE TRIED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO MOTOR. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION FROM THE REPAIR SHOP. MY 18 YEAR OLD SON DRIVES THIS VEHICLE WHICH BEGAN LOSING POWER AND SHAKING BEFORE HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11109867

76,000 miles · Jul 28, 2014
Power TrainService BrakesStructure

CROSS FRAME MEMBER WHICH CONTAINS THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED OUT AND CRACKED. STATE SAFETY INSPECTION REP INDICATED IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION IN THE NEAR FUTURE. FORD NO LONGER MANUFACTURES THE FRAME MEMBER. I WAS LUCKY AFTER A LONG SEARCH TO FIND A DEALER WHICH STILL HAD THE PART AVAILABLE. PART # IS: XL…

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CROSS FRAME MEMBER WHICH CONTAINS THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED OUT AND CRACKED. STATE SAFETY INSPECTION REP INDICATED IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION IN THE NEAR FUTURE. FORD NO LONGER MANUFACTURES THE FRAME MEMBER. I WAS LUCKY AFTER A LONG SEARCH TO FIND A DEALER WHICH STILL HAD THE PART AVAILABLE. PART # IS: XL3Z6A023CA. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OPERATED IN WARWICK NY SINCE NEW AND IN NORTHEASTERN PA SINCE 2007. I BELIEVE IF THE FRAME MEMBER WOULD FAIL THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DROP DOWN. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE RUSTED UNIT. IF YOU CARE TO SEE THEM PLEASE SEND AN E-MAIL ADDRESS AND I'LL ATTACH THEM TO A E-MAIL. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO REQUIRE MANUFACTURES TO USE BETTER MATERIAL FOR PICKUP TRUCK FRAMES AND BRAKE LINES. I HAVE ALSO REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE LINES ON THIS TRUCK RUSTING OUT. ONE INCIDENT, I REPORTED, OCCURRED AFTER BACKING UP A RV IN A CAMPSITE AFTER JUST DRIVING OVER 150 MILES ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. PROVIDENCE PROTECTED ME AS I COULD HAVE LOST THE BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE! *JS .

NHTSA ODI #10616892

150,000 miles · Jul 15, 2014
Engine

SPARK PLUG FAILURE AS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT, AND ENGINE PROBLEM RESULTING FROM 7 CYLINDER OPERATION. GOT IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE WAS ABLE TO SLEEVE THE SPARK PLUG THREAD AND INSTALL A NEW PLUG. NOW THE SAME IS STARTING AGAIN. I AM TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC TO MAKE PERMANENT REPAIRS FOR ALL THE SPARK PLUG. THIS …

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SPARK PLUG FAILURE AS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT, AND ENGINE PROBLEM RESULTING FROM 7 CYLINDER OPERATION. GOT IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE WAS ABLE TO SLEEVE THE SPARK PLUG THREAD AND INSTALL A NEW PLUG. NOW THE SAME IS STARTING AGAIN. I AM TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC TO MAKE PERMANENT REPAIRS FOR ALL THE SPARK PLUG. THIS MAY END UP WITH THE ENGINE HEADS BEING REMOVED IN ORDER TO MAKE COMPLETE REPAIRS, AND THE COST FOR THAT WILL BE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. THIS IS A FORD ENGINE DESIGN PROBLEM THAT FORD HAS BEEN AWARE OF, YET THEY CONTINUE TO DENY ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610719

66,000 miles · Jul 22, 2013
Engine

OIL LEAKING PASSENGER SIDE REAR ON TO THE STARTER AND EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10526147

200,500 miles · Sep 8, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion System

A SPARK PLUG WORKED LOOSE FROM THE HEAD AND BLEW OUT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE HEAD AND THE IGNITION COIL. ALL 8 PLUGS HAD TO BE REPLACED, TWO DAMAGED SPARK PLUG HOLES REPAIRED AND TWO IGNITION COILS REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474326

180,000 miles · May 14, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

CHECKED THE CONDITION OF THIS TRUCKS RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT AFTER ANOTHER TRUCK BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAD ONE THAT ROTTED AWAY AND FAILED. THIS PART SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR, A/C AND PROVIDES AN ATTACHMENT FOR THE FRONT FENDERS. THIS VEHICLE'S RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH IN SPOTS AND LARGE FLAKES OF RUST FALL…

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CHECKED THE CONDITION OF THIS TRUCKS RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT AFTER ANOTHER TRUCK BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAD ONE THAT ROTTED AWAY AND FAILED. THIS PART SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR, A/C AND PROVIDES AN ATTACHMENT FOR THE FRONT FENDERS. THIS VEHICLE'S RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH IN SPOTS AND LARGE FLAKES OF RUST FALL OFF WHEN IT IS DISTURBED. IT WILL NEED REPAIRED AND 3 OTHERS BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10458438

181,000 miles · May 14, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

CHECKED THE CONDITION OF THIS TRUCKS RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT AFTER ANOTHER TRUCK BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAD ONE THAT ROTTED AWAY AND FAILED. THIS PART SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR, A/C AND PROVIDES AN ATTACHMENT FOR THE FRONT FENDERS. THIS VEHICLE'S RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH IN SPOTS AND LARGE FLAKES OF RUST FALL…

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CHECKED THE CONDITION OF THIS TRUCKS RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT AFTER ANOTHER TRUCK BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAD ONE THAT ROTTED AWAY AND FAILED. THIS PART SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR, A/C AND PROVIDES AN ATTACHMENT FOR THE FRONT FENDERS. THIS VEHICLE'S RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH IN SPOTS AND LARGE FLAKES OF RUST FALL OFF WHEN IT IS DISTURBED. IT WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED AND 3 OTHERS BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10458436

210,000 miles · May 14, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

CHECKED THE CONDITION OF THIS TRUCKS RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT AFTER ANOTHER TRUCK BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAD ONE THAT ROTTED AWAY AND FAILED. THIS PART SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR, A/C AND PROVIDES AN ATTACHMENT FOR THE FRONT FENDERS. THIS VEHICLE'S RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH IN SPOTS AND LARGE FLAKES OF RUST FALL…

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CHECKED THE CONDITION OF THIS TRUCKS RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT AFTER ANOTHER TRUCK BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAD ONE THAT ROTTED AWAY AND FAILED. THIS PART SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR, A/C AND PROVIDES AN ATTACHMENT FOR THE FRONT FENDERS. THIS VEHICLE'S RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH IN SPOTS AND LARGE FLAKES OF RUST FALL OFF WHEN IT IS DISTURBED. IT WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED AND 3 OTHERS BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10458434

120,000 miles · May 14, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TRUCK STARTED MAKING NOISE EVERY TIME THERE WAS A BUMP. HANDLING FELT LOOSE. DISCOVERED THAT THE RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY AWAY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE MECHANIC REFERRED TO THE CONDITION AS "ROT". THIS SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR, A/C AND PROVIDES AN ATTACHMENT FOR THE FRONT FENDERS. I BOUGHT 4 VEHICLES THE SAME…

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TRUCK STARTED MAKING NOISE EVERY TIME THERE WAS A BUMP. HANDLING FELT LOOSE. DISCOVERED THAT THE RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY AWAY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE MECHANIC REFERRED TO THE CONDITION AS "ROT". THIS SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR, A/C AND PROVIDES AN ATTACHMENT FOR THE FRONT FENDERS. I BOUGHT 4 VEHICLES THE SAME YEAR. CHECKED THE OTHER 3 AND THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I WILL BE FILING REPORTS ON THEM TOO. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10458426

107,590 miles · Nov 17, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF PLUG HOLE, STRIPPING THREADS OF INTAKE CYLINDER HEAD. PLUG WAS FOUND LAYING BETWEEN VALVE COVER AND INTAKE MANIFOLD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436256

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.