Most common 2002 Ford E Series problems
Share of the 6 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford E Series complaints by model year
Best E Series years: 2006, 2007, 2000. Years to avoid: 1997, 1998. Compare all years →
2002 Ford E Series recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 7.3l diesel engines, the camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle May function intermittently, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sensor and replace it with an improved camshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on December 29, 2007. Owners May contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Structure
Certain pickup truck, van, and Mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by American technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began March 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2002 Ford E Series:
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
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…
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Ford E Series a good car?
Based on 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 E Series rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the E Series at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Ford E Series?
The a/c & heater — 2 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about defroster/defogger/hvac system › windshield › electrical heating element. Next are the suspension (1) and engine & cooling (1).
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford E Series have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2002 Ford E Series, the most recent from December 5, 2007 (diesel). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford E Series?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2006, 2007 and 2000. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1997 and 1998. See the full Ford E Series years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Ford E Series problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 10,000 miles; 67% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.