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2002 Ford E-250 problems

The most common problem on the 2002 Ford E-250 is brakes. It has 2.1 times the complaints of a typical E-250 model year.

Typical year2.1x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
17
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
14
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
13-14mpg

The worst 2002 Ford E-250 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    4
  • Tires
    4
  • Electrical
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Fuel system
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    4
  • Tires
    4
  • Electrical
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Airbags
    1
  • Transmission
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 5

Vehicle speed controlReported October 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk
A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.

Recall number 09V399000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed control: cruise controlReported February 4, 2008 · 225,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford is recalling 225,000 my 1992-2003 econoline, my 1993-1995 taurus sho, my 1992-1998 crown victoria, my 1993 bronco, f-series, my 1995-1997 f-series super duty stripped chassis, my 1992-1998 mercury grand marquis, and my 1992-1995 lincoln town car vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired using a wiring harness that is not compatible with the vehicle circuit polarity.
Risk
As a result, the fuse is located in the output circuit rather than in the intended input power feed circuit, and may not offer the intended protection in the event of an electrical short to ground.
Remedy
Dealers will install a new wiring harness, or replace the mating electrical component. The recall began on february 18, 2008. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.

Recall number 08V051000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed controlReported August 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk
This could result in an underhood fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.

Recall number 07V336000 · Recall details

Equipment adaptive/mobilityReported December 15, 2004 · 501 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain vans built on ford e250/e350 chassis and equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
Risk
In the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as necessary. Sure-lok is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Owners should contact sure-lock at 1‑908‑231‑1804 or accubuilt at 419‑222‑1501.

Recall number 04V589000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: labelsReported May 13, 2004 · 28,456 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain vans and wagons fail to conform to the requirements of part 567, "certification." for certain 2003 e250 vans built with lt225/75r16e tires, the rear axle rating is incorrectly listed on the label. In addition, the tire pressure is incorrectly listed on the label for the rear tires on certain 2002 e350 wagons and for the front tires on certain 2002 e250 vans built with these tires.
Risk
Failure to follow proper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation recommendation can result in tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Owners will be provided with supplementary tire labels containing correct information and installation instructions. If an owner so desires, their dealer can install the label for them. The recall began on july 8, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.

Recall number 04V232000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2002 Ford E-250

Defect investigations

HVAC Switch FailuresOpened April 13, 2010, closed March 5, 2012

This investigation was opened based on one complaint and reports from four transportation fleets alleging 182 blower motor control switch failures.ODI was concerned that these melting and burning switches could lead to an open flame that could spread throughout the vehicle.After a comprehensive review of all data related to overheating blower motor control switches in the subject vehicles, ODI did not identify the existence of a safety defect trend.ODI reviewed 1,036 complaints, claims, and field reports of failed blower motor control switches and determined that only two fires were likely to have been caused by a failing subject blower motor control switch.This represents a failure rate of 0.2 R/100K on a population of 1,076,975 vehicles that have been in service for up to 14 years.ODI has found that when the subject switches do fail and begin to melt, they are constructed in a manner that typically prevents the failing switch from igniting and developing into an open flame.Ford Motor Company has agreed to take two actions to further reduce the likelihood an overheated blower motor switch in the subject vehicles.Ford informed ODI that it has implemented a series of design changes to the subject switch that will help prevent it from developing internal high resistance short circuits.Ford has also informed ODI that it would release a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB-11-11-21) instructing subject vehicle owners to replace the electrical connector at the same time a failed switch is replaced.In light of the low rate of failure resulting in open flame and fire spread on the subject vehicles, and Ford's actions to reduce the likelihood of a switch failure through switch design changes and a TSB, further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following (ODI) numbers: 10427875, 10114393, 10257890For additional information, see the attached closing report.

EA10003

Spark plug ejection from cylinder headOpened September 22, 2005, closed January 4, 2006

On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi?s analysis showed, it is possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles.however, odi?s analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences.none of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence.given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect is very low.in view of the foregoing, it is unlikely that the federal safety agency would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition is denied.

DP05005

Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Ford E-250 14

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 14 bulletins for the 2002 Ford E-250

2002 Ford E-250 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.2L 6‑cylRWD131714
5.4L 8‑cylRWD121713

What 2002 Ford E-250 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 27, 2020 · Tires · 282,952 miles · TX

Both front tires merely developed tread bulges , less than 15k miles, never had a flat, been overloaded ,overinflated , ect.. They just became very poor driving and vibrated badly to find they both have bulges in the tread. They seemed fine about two weeks ago and when I went to drive it a couple days ago the problem became apparent.

Filed Sep 11, 2015 · Fuel system · 160,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford e-250. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the fuel tank strap detached from the vehicle and caused the fuel tank to nearly touch the ground. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed May 16, 2009 · Engine · 117,715 miles · MS

I own a ford f-250 with a 5.4 motor. This truck blew a spark plug out of the motor on 4-15 -2008 and it blew a different spark plug out of the motor on 5-13-2009. Ford needs to recall this truck and other vehicles and correct this defect. I will be talking with a lawyer in the next few days in hopes of getting my truck repaired and to recover the money I have already spent for repairs.I f will check with parts houses such as auto zone and repair shops you will find this is a very big problem, a very very big problem. I pull a horse trailer and if this spark would have blew out while pulling out into traffic me or my daughter could have been killed !!!!!! *tr walter glenn johnson byram,ms

Filed Jul 5, 2007 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · CA

Failure of cam position sensor on 2002 ford f250 diesel. Motor stops working lost of power steering and all power,as if key was turned off. If pulling trailer this was an extremly dangerios conditionin in the ford 2002 f250 truck with the 7.3 diesel motor. Just check the internet to see how many peoplle were having trouble.

Filed Feb 26, 2007 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · OH

4r70w transmission failure. Planetary gear shattered resulting in a transmission failure. Requiring the transmission to be rebuilt.

Filed Feb 26, 2007 · Engine · 51,000 miles · OH

Total catalytic converter failure at 51,000 miles. Sat at dealership from jan 3,2006 to april 7, 2005 waiting for dealer only part. No cause found. Truck was in excellent running condition.

Filed Oct 1, 2005 · Acceleration · 90,000 miles · OH · fire

Ford has recalls on 1994-2002 ford truck 8500 gvw and under I have a 2002 f250 ford 8600 gvw that uses same cruise control parts as the other trucks. This unit was sitting in garage when not running when the same parts that are being replaced on other vehicles ignited on fire. Ford will not replace the parts.

Filed Mar 23, 2005 · Tires · 30,000 miles · TX

Tire separation, goodyear lt245/75r16e tires. At approximately 30000 miles, the tire began to bounce due to a tread separation, creating an unsafe situation.

Filed Feb 20, 2005 · Wheels · TX · crash

My son was driving home when the back wheels locked-up and started to skid. He called the police and the officer said he could see where it look like that's what happened and there were three other witnesses to what had happened. My husband feels this is what happened to him a couple of months ago. I am waiting to see if you are willing to pay for me to take my vehicle to a dealership to be checked out.

Filed Dec 2, 2003 · Brakes · 39,631 miles · NJ

When braking at 25 MPH the brakes had gone to the floor. The consumer had to pump the brakes in order to stop the vehicle. The dealer stated that electronic hydraulic control unit for the ABS needed to be replaced. *ak *scc

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Questions about the 2002 Ford E-250

Is the 2002 Ford E-250 reliable?

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 2002 Ford E-250, 2.1 times a typical E-250 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Ford E-250?

Brakes, with 4 complaints. Next is tires (4).

How many recalls does the 2002 Ford E-250 have?

5 recalls, covering vehicle speed control, equipment adaptive/mobility and equipment.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Ford E-250 get?

Official estimates for the 2002 Ford E-250 range from 13 to 14 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.2L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 13 city and 17 highway.

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