2002 Ford F-250 SD problems
Owners have filed 282 complaints about the 2002 Ford F-250 SD with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 36.9% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of electrical system at 10.3%.
Complaints282
Crashes13
Fires21
Injuries13
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 36.9% · 104
Electrical system 10.3% · 29
Service brakes, hydraulic 9.6% · 27
Tires 9.2% · 26
Vehicle speed control 5.0% · 14
Power train 5.0% · 14
Steering 4.3% · 12
Suspension 2.8% · 8
Severity
Of those complaints, 13 describe a crash, 21 describe a fire, 13 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 18 model years of the Ford F-250 SD in this data, 2002 sits 12th by complaint volume. 2019 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 12 in the last three years against 15 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 75,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Approximately 5 days before the failure, I began to hear an exhaust leak. I kept driving my truck assuming it was just a small leak in the exhaust system. On april 29, the spark plug blew out of the head of my v10 taking the last few threads with it. The dealer says, best case scenario I need a helicoil repair, costing around $600, worse case scenario, the failure could cost me my engine. $1000'S of dollars. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 102,000 miles
Well guess what, it's me again with f250 4x4 with the triton motor. Got in it made it about 1/10 of a mile, it started shimming and running rough again and it died. I'm afraid to start it because of the spark plug ejecting already once and I'm afraid it's going to do it again and catch fire. Ford if this keeps up u will have a lawsuit and you can bring in your big lawyers but I guarantee you will not win. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 160,000 miles
Cam position sensor failed on 2002 Ford f250 w. 7.3L diesel. When this sensor fails you loose all power assist and the steering becomes very hard and breaks are at best no existent. I was able to get the truck to the side of the highway and not become a hazard. Replace sensor with spare I had with me due to multiple failures over the years made me aware to keep an extra with me at all times. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 133,450 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Ford F-250 SD years
1999 304 complaints · 32.6% engine and engine cooling 2000 277 complaints · 25.6% engine and engine cooling 2001 331 complaints · 27.8% engine and engine cooling 2003 229 complaints · 34.1% engine and engine cooling 2004 345 complaints · 31.0% engine and engine cooling 2005 381 complaints · 33.1% suspension