Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Ford F-250 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 60 MPH on a downhill curve, the driver side front tire blew out and the vehicle hit a guard rail on the driver side. Then, while trying to get the vehicle off of the road, the tread separated and the tread hit the side mirror and fender. A spare tire was put on. Then, 175 miles later there was a noise, the vehicle was running rough and was pulled over. The passenger side front tire had separated and the vehicle was towed to the residence. The tires were taken to the dealership. No injuries were sustained.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford f-250 equipped with nitto dura grappler highway terrain tires, size: lt265/75/r16 (na). While driving 60 MPH, the rear driver side tire blew out. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing where it was confirmed that the tire needed to be replaced. The tire was not replaced. The tire was a replacement tire. The manufacturer was not notified of failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 89,000 and the tire failure mileage was 22,000.
Tires involved were purchased on 7/25/2012 (have receipt) and at time of incident had 16,115 miles on them. Tires were correctly inflated to correct psi and showed no signs of excessive wear or checking. Trip was from antelope, ca to san diego, ca. (+/- 525 miles.) outside temperature was approximately 95 degrees. Driver was the only person in the vehicle, truck was running with no load/empty and in the right hand lane of a two lane highway. Traveling south bound on interstate 5 at 65 MPH (cruise control was on), approximately two miles north of kettelman, california, drivers side rear tire delaminated (uniroyal laredo lt265/75r16 123q lar (dot # bfw8jduu5011) causing slight loss of control, but no accident resulted and no other vehicles involved in the incident. …
Tires involved were purchased on 7/25/2012 (have receipt) and at time of incident had 16,115 miles on them. Tires were correctly inflated to correct psi and showed no signs of excessive wear or checking. Trip was from antelope, ca to san diego, ca. (+/- 525 miles.) outside temperature was approximately 95 degrees. Driver was the only person in the vehicle, truck was running with no load/empty and in the right hand lane of a two lane highway. Traveling south bound on interstate 5 at 65 MPH (cruise control was on), approximately two miles north of kettelman, california, drivers side rear tire delaminated (uniroyal laredo lt265/75r16 123q lar (dot # bfw8jduu5011) causing slight loss of control, but no accident resulted and no other vehicles involved in the incident. …
I bought a set of new Firestone destination at 285-75-r16. On July 24, 2007. Were I bought the tires they didn't have road hazard, and we didn't know that till they all ready had them on. The cost of those were $673.52. On November 5, 2007 I had a blow out going to work with one of the tires in front and I had to buy a brand new one. To replace that tire, it cost me $155.06 for a new one, and they would not give us a road hazard on that one sense we didn't buy it from them. Then on January 22, 2008 I had another flat blow out, on the back tire. It cost me at a Firestone place $262.39 to replace the tire and they said they would honor the road hazard for all 4 tires. So now that I have road hazard I probably won't have another blow out. So my question is, is their a recall with Firestone destination at tires? Or is their any other person having a problem with these tires?
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford f250 with definity dakota a/t tires, size lt 265/75r16, dot number: utw8pa91108. The contact was driving 70 MPH when the tread separated from the front passenger tire. The contact merged to the shoulder where he changed the tire and installed the spare. There were no road hazards that could possibly have contributed to the failure. The tire was taken to a local tire merchant who re-installed a new tire. A month later while driving 70 MPH, the front driver and the rear passenger side tires experienced tread separation, causing damage to the front driver side under carriage. The spare tire was installed o both failed tires. The tires were not inspected fro the cause of the failure and the manufacturer of was not contacted. The failure mileage was 160,000 and the current mileage was 183,000. The failure mileage of the tire was 15,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Ford f250. The vehicle has cooper discoverer atr tires, size 265/75/r16. The contact stated that the two front tires were experiencing heavy tread separation. The two rear tires were beginning to crack as well. He believes that the amount of weight that is placed on the front tires has caused them to separate. He took the tires back to the dealer from where they were purchased, but they were not willing to replace the tires. The contact still has possession of all four tires and believes a recall should be issued. The current and failure mileages were 21000. Updated 05/11/09. Updated 05/11/09.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Ford f250 equipped with pirelli scorpion zero asimmetrico lt235/85r/16/e1 tires. While driving approximately 80 MPH, the contact noticed thumping. The contact inspected the tire and felt the tire had a raised portion on the tread area. The tire was replaced with a new tire. The contact stated he experienced the same failure with the new tire as well as the other three tires on the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact there was no recall on the tires. The approximate failure mileage was 90,250.
While driving at 70 MPH vehicle trembled violently. Consumer parked and checked the vehicle, there was no noticeable problems. Consumer drove at highway speeds, and the trembling started again. Several seconds there was a loud explosion. Consumer examined the left rear tire and determined that tread had separated and wrapped around the axle.
The right front tire tread of the Firestone steeltex a/t tire separated. The consumer's 2002 Ford f-250 only had 45800 miles on it. Consumer sent a letter to the rubber manufacturer's association on June 10, 2005, explaining to them the situation with the tires and how it damaged the vehicle when the incident happened.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other F-250 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2002 Ford F-250?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2002 Ford F-250, 15% of the model year's 156 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford F-250 wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 2002 Ford F-250, 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-250 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to wheels & tires 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.