Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 50 MPH, she crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy upon impact. The contact's wife was taken to the hospital where she was treated for a concussion, multiple hematomas to her right thigh, right abdomen, and head; as well as three fractures on her vertebrae. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene to an independent tow yard where it remained in their possession. The dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The contact was informed by his insurance that the vehicle was a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 280,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford f-150. The contact stated that after being involved in a crash, the driver side air bag deployed and started emitting sparks. The contact did not sustain any injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 160,000.
I was driving on freeway when a car that was traveling in an excess of 80+ miles and rear-ended my 2002 Ford f 150. My truck was totaled and my drivers seat back frame broke from right side and none of my airbags deployed. I ended up in the hospital for 3 days. I had a concussion, neck injury, knees and re-injured my back. I was lucky to be alive.
Tl* the contact's father owned a 2002 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration without warning. While in a parking lot, the vehicle accelerated and spun out of control. The driver struck a curb to avoid crashing into other vehicles in the parking lot. As a result, the vehicle went airborne and struck a telephone pole, but continued to accelerate at a high rate of speed upon touching the ground. The vehicle then drove over another curb and crashed into some bushes. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The driver sustained injuries that required medical treatment. The vehicle was towed and placed in storage. The contact's father no longer owns the vehicle because he is deceased due to unrelated circumstances. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified later of the crash. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Ford f-150. While driving 35 MPH, a vehicle cut in front of the contact's vehicle. He slammed on the brakes and rear-ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained severe chest pains from striking the steering column and his leg sustained minor injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed away by the insurance company, but they were unable to determine why the air bags failed to deploy. The insurance agent determined that the vehicle was destroyed. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 37,000.
Truck hit a tree going aproximately 30-40mph. Trying to avoid hitting a large deer. Airbags did not deploy. The tree hit in the center front of the truck. The truck was deemed a total loss due to engine damage etc. Driver was injured. This is a 2002 f150 Ford truck with ~24900 miles on it. This vehicle was not involved in any previous accidents. The driver would have been more severly injured if not wearing his seatbelt. Auto shop could not explain why the airbags did not deploy. Have been getting the run around from the insurance company as well as the dealership.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 MPH on the highway in stop and go traffic, the vehicle struck another vehicle in the rear and the airbags did not deploy. The contact was wearing a seat belt and no injuries were sustained. There was extensive damage to front of the vehicle; the insurance adjustor deemed the vehicle a total loss. The police was alerted and a report was taken. A manufacturing representative inspected the vehicle and determined the airbags should have not deployed due to the impact and no defect was found. The manufacturer was alerted.
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Ford f-150. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the driver crashed into the rear of a trailer that was stalled in the middle of an intersection. The interior of the vehicle started to burn. The fire department extinguished the fire. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact did not know whether a fire report was filed. The driver sustained injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a tow yard. The failure mileage was not provided.
While driving down a 2 lane road in my 2002 Ford f-150 "harley davison" pick-up truck doing the posted speed limit (50 MPH), I quickly tried to avoid from rearending a mid-model 1990 Ford aerostar passenger van, at a speed between 35-45mph. After impacting the rear end of the van, the air bag(s) on my air bag equiped vehicle "did not deploy". My seat belt was being used. The insurance company and myself had to take a loss of the vehicle, due to the extent of damage done to my vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy after a head-on crash occurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot where the insurance company deemed the vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained minor injuries and required medical attention. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.
Airbag complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2002 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Ford F-150, 4% of the model year's 821 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford F-150 airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2002 Ford F-150, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Ford F-150 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 28 crashes, 2 fires and 33 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.