2002 Ford F-150: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Apr 8, 2026 · Fuel system · MO

Cruise control kicked on and won't go off. Gas fumes come from the AC unit. When driving the truck started speeding up. Now the truck is parked.

Filed Aug 21, 2023 · Acceleration · 94,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH and attempting to pass a slower vehicle, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the pedal suddenly extended to the floorboard causing the vehicle to immediately accelerate faster than intended. During the failure the speed increased to over 75 MPH before the contact shifted the transmission into neutral and the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure on two other occasions and the cruise control feature was never activated during the failure. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 94,000.

Filed Jul 5, 2019 · Acceleration, Brakes · 222,112 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford f-150. While driving 55 MPH, the cruise control failed to operate and the cross control went into a locked position. The contact attempted to brake, but the vehicle would not stop. The contact placed the vehicle in neutral and was able to slow down the vehicle. When the vehicle finally stopped, the contact disconnected the cruise control cable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 222,112.

Filed May 3, 2016 · Body, Electrical · 85,000 miles · IN

Vehicle cab rocker panels rusting off rear window leaking cruise control not working vehicle rusting and been in area with no salt on roads

Filed Jan 10, 2016 · Acceleration · 170,000 miles · IA

In 12-14 and 1-10-2016 the butterfly in the throttle body stuck and vehicle wouldn't slow down. 1st incident -10f, came from warm garage, interstate, cruise control in use, in about 15 minutes of driving eventually speed got to 85mph on its own, cruise shut off and vehicle maintained 85 MPH, once stopped throttle and cruise cable were checked and free, butterfly was stuck partially open when manually moved and broke free, problem went away; 2nd date -5f came from warm garage, interstate, cruise on, 20 minutes into trip, similar results, weather clear low humidity, vehicle would not slow down, cruise shut off, no-load engine speed over 5000 RPM, vehicle speed 65mph on level with no throttle input, cables when checked were free, brakes would barely slow vehicle, engine operated normally once butterfly was broke free but problem reoccurred about 30 minutes later. Ford f150 xlt 4.6l automatic supercrew, no problem noted when weather is warmer

Filed May 4, 2015 · Acceleration · 702,000 miles · TX

I was driving to the office, and approached a red light so I started slowing down. Once I reached 15 MPH my 2002 4.2 l f150 accelerated extremely high. I was applying the brake but the truck was still slowly moving, so with my foot still on the brake I turned into the office parking lot. I tried to put it in park but it was a struggle, I called my daughter outside when I was in the office parking lot, and she told me the rear tires were spinning. When I finally got it in park I turned the truck off. I gave it approximately one minute and turned the truck back on, and it was still accelerating extremely high so I turned the truck back off so it wouldn't damage my engine. After an hour I turned the truck back on, and the truck was back to normal. After doing a bit of research I saw tons of articles with instances similar to mine, so I disconnected the cruise control switch and took it to the nearest shop.

Filed Aug 20, 2014 · Acceleration · MO

While driving on the highway, I pushed the on button for the cruise control and pushed the set/excel button at 70 MPH. After a minute or so I looked down and was going 75 and accelerating. I tapped the break which had no effect. I tapped the break several more time but the truck kept accelerating. I pushed the off button several times while continuing to pump the break. The cruise control finally went off. Several miles down the road I tried to use the cruise control again with the same results. My truck is a 4.2l v6 and has had the recall taken care of several years ago. This appears to have happened to several other people and could have had a disastrous outcome.

Filed Aug 26, 2013 · Acceleration · 72,899 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford f-150. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 60 MPH, he attempted to increase speed via the cruise control steering wheel controls. After reaching the target speed, the vehicle continued to accelerate and the cruise control failed to deactivate. The contact shut off the vehicle to regain control. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 72,899.

Filed Dec 21, 2011 · Acceleration, Electrical · 170,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford f150. The contact was driving approximately 70 MPH with the cruise control activated and suddenly without intent the cruise control failed to operate. In addition, the horn would not sound upon engaging. The authorized dealer was notified and they informed the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number 05v388000 (vehicle speed control). A few years later, the identical failure recurred. The vehicle had not been repaired for the most recent failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000. ...update 01/20/12 *bf updated 01/25/12

Filed Oct 12, 2011 · Acceleration · AR · fire

Faulty cruise control shorted out causing fire in the engine compartment and damaging some wires, air filter housing, fuse box, brake master cylinder, hood strut and hood.

Filed Jul 11, 2011 · Acceleration · 160,000 miles · TX · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford f150. The contact stated the vehicle caught fire at his home; destroying the vehicle and the home. The fire department assisted with putting out the fire, but the contact did not receive a report. A recall notice for the vehicle cruise control was received by the contact; stating that if not repaired, the vehicle may catch fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The dealer nor manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 160,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed May 18, 2011 · Electrical · 92,000 miles · NY · fire

Electrical fire starting under the dash and ended up totaling my truck. 2002 ford f150. Suspected to be cruise control switch that was never fixed by dealer before purchase, and we were not notified about this recall. It was suggested to us after getting the information to the insurance co. And servicing the fire report to do some research and file a complaint/claim. Fire started while driving down the road with smoke coming from under the dash, then pulled over and got out and flames were coming from all underthe dash and continued to spread to the entire vehicle while waiting for the fire department and sheriff to arrive.