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2002 Ford E-450 problems

The most common problem on the 2002 Ford E-450 is tires. Its complaint count is close to a typical E-450 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
72/100
Owner complaints
13
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
9
Worst area
Tires

The worst 2002 Ford E-450 problems

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

  • Tires
    5
  • Electrical
    3
  • Engine
    3
  • Body
    1
  • Brakes
    1

Problems by type

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

  • Tires
    5
  • Electrical
    3
  • Engine
    3
  • Body
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Recalls 2

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 controlReported August 1, 2006 · 1,200,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
Risk
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)

Recall number 06V286000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2002 Ford E-450

Defect investigations

HVAC Switch FailuresOpened December 7, 2009, closed April 21, 2010

ODI has received 1 complaint and reports from 4 transportation fleets alleging 182 switch failures.Each fleet operates mini buses built on a Ford E350 or E450 cutaway chassis.The OEM HVAC blower switches have melted, smoked, burned or experienced open flame and become inoperable on vehicles in each fleet.Some drivers have reported a burning smell or smoke coming from the dash.One fleet reported a vehicle fire.No injuries were sustained.However, the bus was carrying special needs children when the driver noticed smoke coming from the dash.The driver was able to evacuate the children prior to the vehicle becoming engulfed in flames.This PE has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA) to determine if the blower motor switch failures create a situation where a vehicle fire is possible and presents a safety risk to the driver and other passengers.

PE09055

Engine compartment firesOpened March 22, 2005, closed August 2, 2006

Ea05-005 is closed with ford?s actions in recalls 05v‑017, 05v‑388, and 06v‑286, recalling approximately 6.7 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).the brake systems in these recalled vehicles generate a vacuum that can potentially cause the scds to fail and, in certain switch installation orientations, catch fire.ford is also including the entire population of 1998 explorers.ford has informed odi that testing to determine the cause of failures in the 1998 explorers will continue after this investigation is closed.odi believes that the vehicles exhibiting the factors causing scds failure described in this report correlate well with the observed failure rates on these vehicles by model and model year.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist in the non-recalled vehicles manufactured with scds that are not included in ford?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the non-recalled population for incidence of engine compartment fires.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached closing report for details.

EA05005

Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Ford E-450 9

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

What 2002 Ford E-450 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 18, 2023 · Engine · 43,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford E-450. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, a loud bang came from the vehicle and the vehicle was steered over to the side of the road. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

Filed Aug 17, 2019 · Body · 45,000 miles · IA

I was driving down interstate 90 in south dakota at approx 70mph when a vehicle behind me flashed his lights. I pulled over and dragging behind me by only one hydraulic line was the rear leveling system. This assembly is about 5 feet long and has two hydraulic jacks one on each end. My guess is this weighs over 70lbs. Had this broken loose in the interstate at that speed god only knows what damage that could have caused..the undamaged bolts were still in the frame..(see photo 1) it appears to have just come loose over time.. With any kind of lock washer under the nuts or locking system this should never have happened. I disconnected the remaining hydraulic line and put the unit in the storage compartment in the camper(see photo 2)

Filed Mar 30, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 11,315 miles · FL

I recently purchased a motorhome with the ford e-450, while driving out of my park I lost my turn signals and brake lights.

Filed Oct 26, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 50,829 miles · CA

We were traveling north to south just outside of lasvegas when a spark plug blew out of the cylinder, with the injector still pumping fuel. In our 31' motorhome with a e450 engine. Did we not realize the seriousness of the situation the engine could have caught fire and caused extensive damage and possible injury. As a result this cost us $7200.00 and the loss of use of our vehicle and home for 10 days. We have asked ford motor company for some renumeration towards the cost of repairs because as we soon found out there have been thousands of these vehicles with the same problem. But because the vehicle was over 6 years old they would not provide assistance. We feel that even if we were compensated for the parts would be a fair response, because this situation could have resulted in a liability lawsuit. We would appreciate any assistance you can provide us with our request to ford. Thank you,

Filed Apr 11, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 34,500 miles · OH

Spark plug ejected while driving on interstate causing emergency breakdown resulting in 550.00 bill for spark plug sleeve repair then 50 miles from this incident the fan belt shredded resulting in engine overheating and another emergency repair of 520.00 for new belt and alternator.

Filed Jun 22, 2010 · Tires · VA

Cooper srm ii lt 225/75/r 16 tread separation of rear tire on rv approximately 20 miles of home while driving on interstate. Two months earlier had similar experience with another rear tire. Tires were purchased as a set of six on 04/08 with less than 10,000 miles when failures occurred. Tires are being replaced with a complete set from a different manufacturer.

Filed Jun 27, 2009 · Transmission · 121,001 miles · NC

While driving the ambulance the engine shuts off. The most recent incident happened while taking it to the shop. When the ambulance is at idle it just shuts off, while driving down the road and the RPM's are at idle the engine will just shut off. No crash or injuries however it was very close as the engine shut off it was going around a curve and lost power steering and brakes.

Filed Sep 15, 2008 · Electrical · 85,323 miles · MD · fire

In early july my vehicle suffered an electrical fire in the engine compartment. This is a vehicle covered under the existing ford recall for the speed control wiring. The dealer , who had repaired the vehicle just 45 days earlier, stated that this fire was not associated with the recall. The dealer stated that this was a different type of wiring fire. I am concerned that the recall in place may not fully address the risk of fire, and that there may be more of a safety issue regarding the wiring harness than has been disclosed.

Filed Jan 23, 2006 · Tires · TX

Tire tread failed on consumer's 2002 ford e450 . *ts

Filed Nov 25, 2003 · Tires · 8,058 miles · VA

While driving the inside right rear tire exploded. The dealer could not determine the cause of the failure. *nlm the tire was replaced by the dealer at no cost.

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Questions about the 2002 Ford E-450

Is the 2002 Ford E-450 reliable?

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 2002 Ford E-450, close to a typical E-450 model year.

What is the 2002 Ford E-450 year score?

The 2002 Ford E-450 scores 72 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford E-450: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Ford E-450?

Tires, with 5 complaints. Next is electrical (3).

How many recalls does the 2002 Ford E-450 have?

2 recalls, covering vehicle speed control.

What year does the Ford E-450 have bad tires?

The Ford E-450 model years with the most tires complaints are 1999 (38 complaints) and 2000 (28 complaints).

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