Friday, August 7, 2026
RecallGazette

Vehicle problems, recalls & safety intelligence

2002 Ford F-150 engine problems

66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2002 Ford F-1508% of all complaints for this model year.

66
Engine complaints
8%
share of all complaints
138,000 mi
median reported incident mileage
2 / 9
crash / fire reports

What owners report

  • The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made a loud sound. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed and determined that cylinder #3 spark plug had blown out, but no repair was…

    filed May 29, 2024

  • The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated that she observed smoke emanating from under the vehicle near the engine compartment. The contact stated that she opened the hood and flames erupted from the engine compartment near the battery. The contact threw dirt on the engine to…

    filed Aug 21, 2023

Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.

Related service bulletins

  • This SKU is an Oil Dipstick. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the dipstick tube. The dipstick tube inner diameter may be small enough that it prevents installation of the OE…

    DOR-N3Z7B-03 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 7, 2020
  • 1999-2008 7.3l/6.0l/6.4l/4.5l diesel f-super duty - clean the charge air cooler (cac) system after certain turbo or engine failures - service tip. *nj

    20228 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2008
  • Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this includes f-53 motorhome chassis. Updated 2/23/10…

    07212 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 2007
  • Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running. *tt

    041601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 14, 2005
  • Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code p1131 and/or p1151 - 4.2l engine. *tt

    05173 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 14, 2005
All 2002 Ford F-150 TSBs →

Engine problems in other F-150 years

YearReportsShare
2025 F-15044%
2024 F-150116%
2023 F-150267%
2022 F-150356%
2021 F-150808%
2020 F-15012418%
2019 F-15031524%
2018 F-15049522%
2017 F-15030622%
2016 F-15031416%
2015 F-15026116%
2014 F-15017712%
F-150 engine problems by year →

Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.