Your vehicle report
2002 Ford F-250
The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.
Your vehicle at a glance
Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.
- Owner complaints
- 156
- Received Nov 2001 to Jun 2025
Owner reports
Most reported problems
- 1Tires blow out or tread separates18 complaints · 12% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 2Ford F-150 transmission unexpectedly downshifts or jerks15 complaints · 9.6% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 3Spark plugs blow out of cylinder head10 complaints · 6.4% of this vehicle’s complaints
Official NHTSA records
Recalls to check
- Recall #11V352000Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 ranger trucks built from january 25, 2011, through april 25, 2011 at the twin cities assembly plant, and service parts distributed to dealers for certain 2004 through 2011 model year ranger trucks, 2002 through 2005 model year excursion vehicles, and 2002 through 2007 model year F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the multi-function switch was shipped with a subcomponent (slider) that may experience deformation. A multi-function switch with a deformed slider may malfunction causing the turn signal, tail lights, hazard warning signal flashers and/or brake lights not to activate.
- Recall #06V286000On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
BrakeNews signals
Flagged complaint patterns
Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.
No problems currently meet BrakeNews’s flagging criteria. This is not a safety rating.
How flags are identifiedComplaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 12 crashes, 9 fires, 12 people injured, 1 death.
Explore by system
Where do owners report problems?
Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.
Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.
Showing all 13 listed problems by system.
Engine & powertrain
Brakes
Electrical & lights
Airbags, belts & seats
Steering, suspension & tires
Body, doors & glass
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Driver assistance
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Other
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Complaint history
When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.
Show as a table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 29 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 18 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 (to Oct 2026) | 0 |
| Total | 156 |
Problems owners report
Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.
| Problem | Complaints | Share | Share ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires blow out or tread separates | 18 | 12% | – | |
| Ford F-150 transmission unexpectedly downshifts or jerks | 15 | 9.6% | – | |
| Spark plugs blow out of cylinder head | 10 | 6.4% | – | |
| Seat belt fails to latch or retract | 9 | 5.8% | – | |
| Vehicle catches fire from wiring | 7 | 4.5% | – | |
| Brake pedal sinks due to leaking lines | 7 | 4.5% | – | |
| Airbags fail to deploy in crashes | 6 | 3.9% | – | |
| Fuel tank or line leaks gasoline | 6 | 3.9% | – | |
| Engine suddenly shuts off while driving | 5 | 3.2% | – | |
| Unintended acceleration despite braking | 4 | 2.6% | – | |
| Headlights dim or fail at night | 3 | 1.9% | – | |
| Steering wheel seizes or locks suddenly | 3 | 1.9% | – | |
| Gear shifter fails to register Park | 3 | 1.9% | – |
AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.
Recalls
NHTSA recall #11V352000July 13, 201126,715 vehicles affected
exterior lighting: brake lights; exterior lighting: tail lights
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 ranger trucks built from january 25, 2011, through april 25, 2011 at the twin cities assembly plant, and service parts distributed to dealers for certain 2004 through 2011 model year ranger trucks, 2002 through 2005 model year excursion vehicles, and 2002 through 2007 model year F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the multi-function switch was shipped with a subcomponent (slider) that may experience deformation. A multi-function switch with a deformed slider may malfunction causing the turn signal, tail lights, hazard warning signal flashers and/or brake lights not to activate.
Non-functioning lights could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the switches free of charge. The safety recall began on august 15, 2011. Owners may contact Ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA recall #06V286000August 1, 20061,200,000 vehicles affected
vehicle speed control
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on august 7, 2006. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. (note: also see recalls 05V017 and 05V388)
Other model years
About this data
NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2002 Ford F-250.
Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.
Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN