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2002 Ford Ford Truck

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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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

24 reports with mileage · 13 unknown

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.

  • Power Train. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Power Train complaints

14 reports
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207,653 miles · Nov 22, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

FORD F 250 TRITON V10 NO. 2 SPARK PLUG AND COIL BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE HEAD. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND OTHERS. FORD WILL CHARGE 650.00 TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10660238

27,708 miles · Jan 24, 2008
Interior LightingPower Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND HARD BANG WHEN IT GO INTO GEAR. FORD SERVICE DEPT.DIAOGNOSE TRANS OP, NO CODES,LINE PRESSURE TEST.R110-N-75 OD95 L-95. R&R TRANSMISSION PAN FOR INSPECTION, PIECES OF BRASS BUSHINGS IN PAN. R&R TRANS TO OVERHAUL. REPLACED OD PLANETARY ASSY .BUSHINGS BETWEEN GEARS COME APART) FLUSHED COLLING LIN…

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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND HARD BANG WHEN IT GO INTO GEAR. FORD SERVICE DEPT.DIAOGNOSE TRANS OP, NO CODES,LINE PRESSURE TEST.R110-N-75 OD95 L-95. R&R TRANSMISSION PAN FOR INSPECTION, PIECES OF BRASS BUSHINGS IN PAN. R&R TRANS TO OVERHAUL. REPLACED OD PLANETARY ASSY .BUSHINGS BETWEEN GEARS COME APART) FLUSHED COLLING LINES,REPLACED CONVERTER(METAL CONTAMINATION.) REPLACED VALVE BODY(VALVES STICKING). CLEARED PCM MEMORY & REFLASHED PCM. ROAD TEST. ALL THE ABOVE WORK WAS DONE ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE. WHEN I DROVE THE TRUCK I COULD HEAR A NOISE THAT WASN'T THERE BEFORE, I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER AND CHECKED THINGS OUT AND TOLD ME EVERY THING WAS FINE, BUT IT WASN'T. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215891

27,600 miles · Dec 20, 2007
Power Train

DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITH MY 2 CHILDREN 2 AND 10 YEAR. DROPPING THE 2 YEAR OLD OFF TO SCHOOL. STOP THE VEHICLE GO TO PUT THE SHIFT GEAR INTO PARK, BREAKS RIGHT OFF IN HAND, IF THE RUBBER WASN'T AROUND IT, I COULD HAVE WALKED OUT OF THE CAR WITH IT. I WAS STUCK THERE KEEPING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES BECAUSE THE GEAR WAS ALSO STUCK…

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DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITH MY 2 CHILDREN 2 AND 10 YEAR. DROPPING THE 2 YEAR OLD OFF TO SCHOOL. STOP THE VEHICLE GO TO PUT THE SHIFT GEAR INTO PARK, BREAKS RIGHT OFF IN HAND, IF THE RUBBER WASN'T AROUND IT, I COULD HAVE WALKED OUT OF THE CAR WITH IT. I WAS STUCK THERE KEEPING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES BECAUSE THE GEAR WAS ALSO STUCK BETWEEN REVERSE AND PARK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212470

45,000 miles · Oct 28, 2007
Power Train

TRANSMISSION TAKES 3-5 SECONDS TO GO INTO REVERSE THIS IN ITS SELF DANGEROUS WHEN NEEDING A QUICK REVERSE. THE MAIN REASON FOR A COMPLAINT IN TRANSMISSION NEEDING TO BE REBUILT AFTER ONLY 45,000 I DON'T TOW ANYTHING AND AM A GOOD DRIVER I KNOW OTHERS WITH SAME VEHICLE SAME PROBLEM TAKE NOTE UHAUL WILL NOT RENT TO EXPLORER OWN…

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TRANSMISSION TAKES 3-5 SECONDS TO GO INTO REVERSE THIS IN ITS SELF DANGEROUS WHEN NEEDING A QUICK REVERSE. THE MAIN REASON FOR A COMPLAINT IN TRANSMISSION NEEDING TO BE REBUILT AFTER ONLY 45,000 I DON'T TOW ANYTHING AND AM A GOOD DRIVER I KNOW OTHERS WITH SAME VEHICLE SAME PROBLEM TAKE NOTE UHAUL WILL NOT RENT TO EXPLORER OWNERS BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION (CALL UHAUL AND FIND THIS OUT). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10207245

59,000 miles · Aug 25, 2007
Power Train

UNSAFE TRANSMISSION FORD CAN T FIX IT LOCKED TRANSMISSION UP AND I SHOWED UP AT DEALER WITH WHITE SMOKE CLOUD BEHIND THE CAR FORD STILL INSISTS NOTHING WRONG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10200757

75,400 miles · Mar 23, 2007
Power TrainSuspension

75400 MILES. NOISE FROM REAR END BECOMING MORE NOTICEABLE. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY WON'T SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE REAR END PROBLEM AS BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND PROBABLY THE REAR HUBS WERE BAD. THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FORD DEALER SERVICE ADVISED ME TO CONTACT F…

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75400 MILES. NOISE FROM REAR END BECOMING MORE NOTICEABLE. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY WON'T SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE REAR END PROBLEM AS BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND PROBABLY THE REAR HUBS WERE BAD. THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FORD DEALER SERVICE ADVISED ME TO CONTACT FORD 800 NUMBER, AND OPERATOR AFTER PUTTING ME ON HOLD AND TALKING TO THE DEALER TURNED THE PROBLEM OVER TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF CUSTOMER CAR BECAUSE HER LIMIT OF $500 WOULD NOT BEGIN TO COVER THE REPAIRS. FORD COSTUMER CARE CALLED ME AND AFTER LETTING ME TELL MY STORY SAID THERE WAS NO PROGRAM DOLLARS AVAILABLE FOR ASSISTING IN FIXING EITHER PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH THE REAR END PROBLEM WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE PREVIOUS VISIT AT 74,400 MILES PER THE DEALERS RECOMMENDATION. ALSO INFORMED ME THAT NOT EVEN THE $500 WAS AVAILABLE ,AND THE OPERATOR HAD NO RIGHT TO OFFER THAT AMOUNT. TOOK THE CAR FROM THE DEALER AFTER PAYING $120, PLUS $100 CAR RENTAL THEY WOULD NOT COVE) SINCE THE MILEAGE WAS 400 OVER WARRANTY 75000 MILEAGE LIMIT TO DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM THEY FAILED TO CORRECTLY DIAGNOSE THE FIRST 2 TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10186004

74,400 miles · Mar 23, 2007
Power Train

74400 MILES. NOISE COMING FROM REAR END AND FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES ARE DRAGGING WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THE NOISE WAS WORSE WHEN ENGAGING THE 4-WD HIGH. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD TRANSFER CASE ASSEMBLY. WAITED 2 DAYS BECAUSE THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE HAD TO APPROVE THE REPAIR. WAS TOLD THE MAIN SHAFT HAD CRACKED AND …

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74400 MILES. NOISE COMING FROM REAR END AND FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES ARE DRAGGING WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THE NOISE WAS WORSE WHEN ENGAGING THE 4-WD HIGH. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD TRANSFER CASE ASSEMBLY. WAITED 2 DAYS BECAUSE THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE HAD TO APPROVE THE REPAIR. WAS TOLD THE MAIN SHAFT HAD CRACKED AND WAS ENGAGING THE 4-WD EVEN THOUGH IT DID NOT SHOW UP ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE IT SEEMED TO BE BETTER EVEN THOUGH NOT COMPLETELY GONE. MY MISTAKE FOR NOT RETURNING THE TRUCK BECAUSE IT STARTED TO GET WORSE AT 75400 , AND NOW THE FORD CUSTOM CARE CERTIFIED THE TRUCK AS A USED CAR COVERING DRIVE TRAIN UNTIL 75000 MILES, AND IT WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE ANY FURTHER WORK EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM STILL HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS FROM 2 OTHER VISITS AT THE SAME DEALER. EVEN THOUGH THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMEND THAT THE WORK BE DONE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10185998

81,000 miles · Sep 13, 2005
Power Train

CONTINUOUS ROARING NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WAS DETERMINED THAT REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS BAD. IF IT WOULD HAVE GONE OUT WHILE DRIVING, TRUCK COULD HAVE LOCKED UP. WAS TOLD BY SERVICE THAT WAS A BIG SAFETY CHANCE TO TAKE. OUT OF WARRANTY ON MILES. (BUT NOT ON 3 YEARS).SO IT COST US $1900 OUT OF POCKET TO …

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CONTINUOUS ROARING NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WAS DETERMINED THAT REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS BAD. IF IT WOULD HAVE GONE OUT WHILE DRIVING, TRUCK COULD HAVE LOCKED UP. WAS TOLD BY SERVICE THAT WAS A BIG SAFETY CHANCE TO TAKE. OUT OF WARRANTY ON MILES. (BUT NOT ON 3 YEARS).SO IT COST US $1900 OUT OF POCKET TO REPAIR. HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD FORD IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10136411

81,000 miles · Aug 21, 2005
Power Train

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 85,000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE O/D LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING. THEN IT REFUSED TO SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR. IT HAS SHIFTED HARD SINCE WE PURCHASED IT USED WITH APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES ON IT. WHAT A PAIN. I HAVE BEEN TO MANY FORD FORUMS A…

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I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 85,000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE O/D LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING. THEN IT REFUSED TO SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR. IT HAS SHIFTED HARD SINCE WE PURCHASED IT USED WITH APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES ON IT. WHAT A PAIN. I HAVE BEEN TO MANY FORD FORUMS AND I SEE NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS CAR PRONTO. EVERY ONE I KNOW WHO HAS THIS MAKE AND MODEL ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THEY NEED TO CORRECT THIS ITEM NOW. OR WE WILL JUST HAVE TO BUY JAPANESE NEXT TIME. THEY BELIEVE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE.

NHTSA ODI #10133674

52,000 miles · Aug 5, 2005
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

REF 2002 FORD EXPLORER, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THIRD GEAR WENT OUT AT 57,000 MILES. BEACH FORD REPLACED. HAVE NEVER GOTTEN THE GEARS SYNCRONIZED. HAVE TO TOUCH GEAR SHIFT SOMETIMES TO PUT IN GEAR. TONIGHT CAR IS BACK AT BEACH FORD WITH A TRANSMISSION PUMP LEAK. REPORTED THIS CAR LAST WEEK FOR ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10131756

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.