Page 10 of 17 · complaints 451–500 of 821

2002 Ford F-150 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 26, 2008162,524 milesMI

I WAS DRIVING TO PICK UP LUNCH ONE DAY FROM WORK AND WHEN I PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC TO HEAD BACK I HEARD A LOUD POP FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER AND A SOUND THAT MADE ME THINK THE SERPENTINE BELT BROKE. THE PLUG SHOT OUT OF THE HEAD AND BROKE A COIL PACK IN HALF. I TALKED TO THE FORD DEALER THAT I GET MY PARTS AT, AND HE TOLD ME IT HAPPENS ALOT ON 4.6 LITERS, 5.4 LITERS, AND V-10 FORD TRUCKS SO MUCH THAT THEY STAY WELL STOCKED ON THE PARTS THAT I NEEDED TO FIX WHAT FORD DOESN'T CONSIDER TO BE A PROBLEM, THE FIX IS A WELL GREASED, EXTRA LONG 14 MM TAP AND HELICOIL, RED LOCKTITE, SPARK PLUG, COIL PACK, AND ANY OTHER BITS AND PIECES THE PLUG DESTOYS ON ITS WAY OUT, FROM THE REPORTS I'M READING I GOT LUCKY THTAT IT WAS JUST MY COIL THAT TOOK THE BRUNT OF IT, I'VE TALKED TO SOME PEOPLE AROUND THE AREA AND THEY SEE ANY WHERE FROM 2 TO 4 PER WEEK, AND ON TOP OF THAT THERE WAS TWO PEOPLE AT MY WORK THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WE ONLY HAVE 18 EMPLOYEES. ONE WAS IN A 5.4 AND THE OTHER WAS A V10. THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE PROBLEM AND THAT FORD DOESN'T RECOGNIZE IT. THE PART WILL BE REPARED AND WILL NOT BE AVALIBLE AND JUST COST ME MORE OF MY TIME AND MONEY DOING STUPID REPARES THAT ARE QUESTIONABLE AT BEST. *TR

Suspension
Filed Nov 20, 200830,000 milesTX

SHIMMY / BAD VIBRATION AT 50+ MPH. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AWHILE - GOTTEN NEW TIRES AND WHEELS, BALANCE/ROTATE, NEW BRAKES AND THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT A NEW CONTROLLER ARM OR SOMETHING...DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS THIS IS COMMON FOR THIS TRUCK AND FORD NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT? QUALITY ISSUES AND NO CONCERN FOR PEOPLE'S SAFETY...NICE. HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY MANY TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS - GUESS PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE IN ORDER FOR FORD TO TAKE NOTICE. SALES DOWN DUE TO CUSTOMER DISSATISFACTION AMONG OTHER THINGS... *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 19, 200885,000 milesNY

WHILE BEING 250 MILES AWAY FROM HOME, THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE OF MY 2002 F-150 TRUCK. I WAS ABLE TO BUY TOOLS AND PERFORM A TEMPORARY REPAIR IN ORDER TO GET MY TRUCK HOME. I THEN HIRED A MECHANIC TO REPAIR THE ENGINE USING A HELI-COIL. UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T TRUST THE TRUCK NOW AS I BOUGHT IT TO PULL MY CAMPER AND AM CONCERNED OVER BEING STRANDED. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 5.4 TRITON ENGINE. I AM NOT SURE WHY FORD HAS NOT PERFORMED A RECALL ON IT. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Nov 4, 2008125,000 milesLA

ON 11/1/08 I WAS DRIVING AND HEARD LOUD POP FROM MY ENGINE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I SAW THAT THE SPARK PLUG IN THE SEVENTH CYLINDER OF MY 2002 F150 5.4 TRITON HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE HEAD AND BROKE THE COIL. THIS WAS PRECEDED BY A TICKING NOISE THAT ALMOST SOUNDED LIKE A EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAK. I PERSONALLY CHANGED MY PLUGS AT 100,000 MILES AND THE TRUCK CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 125,000 MILES ON IT. WHILE ON THE INTERNET RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I REALIZED THAT I'M NOT ALONE AND THIS IS A NATION WIDE PROBLEM WITH THE F150. AT THIS POINT MY TRUCK IS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING AT LEAST $2000 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE HEAD. I AM RESEARCHING A COST EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO REPLACING THE PARTS AT THIS TIME. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 4, 200862,000 milesCA

TRUCK MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER SPECS. WHILE DRIVING DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL, HEARD LOUD POP. WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. BLOWN SPARK PLUG OUT OF #2 CYLINDER. WITH THE USE OF HELICOIL REPAIRS CAME TO APPROX. $700. LESS THAN 6 WEEKS LATER #4 CYLINDER BLEW SPARK PLUG WHILE DRIVING 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY. THIS TIME (AFTER MUCH RESEARCH OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS) INSTALLED LONGER THREAD SPARK PLUGS SUGGESTED BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENT. THIS TIME REPAIR COSTS WERE $800.00. IF FORD HAS MADE A SPECIAL KIT AND NEW LONGER SPARK PLUGS FOR THIS "PROBLEM" ISN'T THAT A SUBTLE ADMISSION OR GUILT/RESPONSIBILITY. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO DOING THE RIGHT THING...ADMIT YOUR MISTAKES AND TAKE CARE OF THESE REPAIRS. "BUILT FORD TOUGH" MY EYE!! MY NEXT TRUCK WILL BE A TOYOTA... *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 2, 200877,000 milesOH

MY 2002 FORD F-150 WITH A 4.6 LITER V8 BLEW OUT A SPARK PLUG WHILE ACCELERATING ON A HIGHWAY ENTRANCE RAMP. THE SPARKPLUG THAT BLEW OUT WAS THE 3RD FROM THE FRONT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE THREADS FOR THE SPARK PLUG IN THAT CYLINDER ARE NOW RUINED AS WELL AS THE COIL FOR THAT PLUG. TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM I WILL PROBABLY END UP BUYING A $250 KIT TO RE-TAP THE HEAD. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 18, 200879,000 milesCA

TWICE WITHIN ONE YEAR, ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASION, MY 2002 F150 FORD TRUCK HAS EJECTED A SPARK PLUG. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE LEADING UP TO THE EVENT OCCURRING. BOTH TIMES I HAD MY TRUCK TOWED TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND REPAIRED. THE REPAIR BOTH TIMES CONSISTED OF THE INSTILLATION OF A HELI COIL AND THE BILL WAS AROUND $700.00. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 15, 200890,000 milesKS

PURCHASED USED 2002 F-150 LARIAT WITH 80K MILES IN 4/08. SEPT 9TH THE SPARK PLUG #6 BLEW OUT OF ENGINE. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HAD TO TAP AND PLACED HELICOIL TO FIX. OCT 10TH THE SPARK PLUG #8 BLEW OUT OF ENGINE. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 90K. *TR

Structure
Filed Oct 8, 2008FL

I HAVE A 2002 F150 HARLEY DAVIDSON F150 KINGCAB TRUCK, BLACK IN COLOR AND THE PAINT ON THE HOOD IS CRACKING SOMETHING TERRIBLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP HERE IN PENSACOLA AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT IT IS A DEFECT IN THE PAINT PROCESS BUT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS. THEY QUOTED ME OVER $500.00 TO REPAINT JUST THE HOOD AND ANOTHER BODY SHOP QUOTED ME THE SAME BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE COMPLETELY STRIPPED AND REPAINTED. I HAVE NOTICED THAT SEVERAL OTHER FORD HD TRUCKS ARE DOING THE SAME THING ALSO ON OTHER BODY PART TO. I'M AFRAID THAT THIS MIGHT GET WORSE AND POSSIBLY START ON THE FENDERS. IS THERE EVER GOING TO BE A RECALL ON THE PAINT ON THESE TRUCKS OR DOES EVERYONE DRIVE AROUND PROUDLY IN A BEAUTIFUL TRUCK WITH CRACKING PAINT DISPLAYING THE FORD EMBLEM WITH THE HARLEY DAVIDSON REPUTATION NEXT TO IT? *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 3, 2008100,000 milesMO

SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT IN 2002 FORD F150. SPARK PLUGS BLOW OUT AND FUEL VAPOR SEEPS OUT. NO FIRE ON MY CAR, BUT VERY WELL COULD BE. KNOWN PROBLEM FORD REFUSES TO RECALL. JACK *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 26, 200890,000 milesIN

INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEM CAUSED BY THE ANTI THEFT UNIT IN THAT IT WON'T ALLOW THE TRUCK TO START. IF ALLOWED TO SIT FOR AN HOUR OR SO IT USUALLY STARTS. FORD DEALERSHIPS SAY THAT THEY HAVE TO HAVE IT WHEN THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING. WELL, NOW THE PROBLEM SEEMS PERMANENT, AS IT WON'T START AT ALL. WHEN ASKED IF SYSTEM CAN BE TURNED OFF THEY SAY "NO, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE" THEIR SAFETY ISSUE HAS PUT ME IN PERIL ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. ONE BEING ON A BOAT RAMP WITH RISING WATER AND A VEHICLE THAT WON'T START. HOW SAFE IS THAT? THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER NOW, AND THEY TELL ME THEY MUST DUPLICATE THE NOT STARTING SO THEY CAN SEE WHAT'S WRONG, IN FACT IT IS NOT STARTING. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 25, 2008130,489 milesIL

I HAVE A 5.4L ENGINE IN MY FORD TRUCK AND IT KEEPS STRIPPING OUT SPARK PLUGS. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE POSTED THE SAME PROBLEM ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS REPORT .COM. ONE GUYS TRUCK BURNT TO THE GROUND IN 12 MINUTES AND COULDN'T EVEN GET HIS NAVIGATION SYSTEM OUT OF HIS VEHICLE. FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT OF THE DASH TOWARDS HIM. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD WITH THE MATTER AND THEY STATE THAT IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND YOU ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE TO RECALL IT. I WOULD SAY THAT IF YOUR VEHICLE CAN BURN TO THE GROUND IN A MATTER OF MINUTES, IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IT KEEPS HAPPENING TO PEOPLE ALL OVER AND THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE CALLED ON THESE ENGINES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR HURT IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE VEHICLE BREAKING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY. IT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED, NOT AFTER. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 17, 2008114,000 milesGA

STARTED OFF FROM STOP SIGN AND AROUND 30-35 MPH, HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND PULLED OVER TO FIND #3 CYLINDER HAD BLOWN SPARK PLUG OUT. COIL WAS DAMAGED ALSO. HAD TRUCK TOWED TO NEAREST SHOP 40 MILES AWAY. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 31, 2008138,000 milesTN

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. I PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD. THE EXPLOSION HAD DENTED THE INSIDE OF THE HOOD. I FOUND A BROKEN COIL LAYING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE, AND THE CORRESPONDING SPARK PLUG LAYING BENEATH THE ENGINE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO RE-THREADED THE SPARK PLUG HOLE AND INSTALLED A NEW SPARK PLUG. THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS USUAL FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS, AND THEN THE SAME EXACT SITUATION OCCURRED, INVOLVING THE SAME EXACT SPARK PLUG. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, THE PLUG AND COIL WERE SO DAMAGED THAT THE HEAD COULD NOT BE RE-THREADED AND REPAIRED. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I FOUND THAT DOZENS OF OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, WHICH IS DUE TO AN ENGINE AND/OR PISTON DEFECT. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE REQUIRED DRILLING OUT THE AFFECTED HEAD, TAPPING IT, AND INSTALLING A HELICOIL BEFORE THE SPARK PLUG COULD BE REPLACED. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE, SINCE IN ADDITION TO THE EXPENSE AND INCONVENIENCE THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT HAS CAUSED ME, IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS WELL. WHILE I HAVE NOT HAD AN ENGINE FIRE, OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAVE REPORTED ENGINE FIRES. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Aug 27, 200869 milesFL

MY FORD F-150 GOT ON FIRE BECAUSE FORD FAILED TO SEND ME A RECALL LETTER. I ONLY RECEIVED A LETTER IN MARCH/08 TELLING ME THAT THE PARTS TO BE REPLACED WOULD BE AVAILABLE ON MAY/08. *TR

Tires
Filed Aug 26, 2008NC

070508 DISCOVERED FLAT TIRE ON TRUCK PARKED IN DRIVEWAY OF HOME. DETERMINED FLAT WAS CAUSED BY VALVE STEM CRACK. HAD VALVE STEM REPLACED AT TIRE SHOP. DIFFERENT TIRE, SAME BRAND, WENT FLAT WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, 082608. HAD ROAD SERVICE REPLACE WITH SPARE TIRE TO DRIVE HOME. INSPECTED TIRE AT HOME AND DETERMINED ANOTHER VALVE STEM CRACK/DEFECT. NO ACCIDENT OR VEHICLE DAMAGE OCCURRED, ALTHOUGH THE INTERSTATE FLAT MAY HAVE BEEN BUT I WAS NOTIFIED BY PASSING MOTORISTS THAT TIRE WAS GOING FLAT. WILL TAKE LATEST FLAT TIRE TO TIRE SHOP THIS WEEKEND TO HAVE ANOTHER VALVE STEM REPLACEMENT. CONCERNED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES ARE SAME MAKE AND BRAND, BOUGHT AT SAME TIME, AND I HAVE HAD TWO VALVE STEM FAILURES IN TWO MONTHS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 18, 200851,581 milesMN

I HAVE A '02 FORD F150 WITH 51,581 MILES ON IT. YESTERDAY, CYLINDER #3 DECIDED TO BLOW THE SPARK PLUG RIGHT OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. AFTER READING MANY OTHER FRUSTRATED CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE, I FOUND OUT THAT I WAS QUITE LUCKY THAT THE ENGINE DIDN'T IMMEDIATELY ERUPT IN FLAMES. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS ANY ISSUE WITH THIS DESIGN EVEN THOUGH IT'S WELL DOCUMENTED. FORD EXPECTS IT'S CUSTOMER TO REPLACE THE HEAD TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AT THE CUSTOMER'S EXPENSE. MINE $3,322.96. NOW THE BETTER PART. BECAUSE IT APPEARS THE DESIGN HAS NOT CHANGED, EVEN BY REPLACING THE HEAD THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 14, 200890,000 milesWI

WHILE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AT 36 MPH ON A PAVED STREET THE LEFT OTTER TIE ROD END BROKE . CAR WAS CLOSE TO BEING OUT OF CONTROL BUT WAS SAFELY BROUGHT TO A STOP. REPLACED ALL TIE ROD ENDS, PITMAN ARM AND CENTER LINK. (SHOP THAT DID THE ALIGNMENT SAID I WAS THE SECOND CAR THAT HAD BROKEN A TIE ROD. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS A 2001 F150). *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 12, 200842,009 milesCA

MY 2002 FORD F150 5.4 SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF THE MOTOR WITH ONLY 42000. MILES ON IT. $ 890.00 TO REPAIR. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 8, 2008148,000 milesRI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE SPARK PLUGS STRIPPED OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. INSTEAD, HE SIMPLY NOTICED THE SPARK PLUG STICKING OUT FROM THE TOP OF THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN, BUT IT RIDES VERY ROUGHLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

Visibility
Filed Aug 7, 2008100,000 milesMO

I HAVE HAD THE 02' F150 SINCE DECEMBER 07' AND HAVE HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD LEAKING. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH IN THE 97' TO 03' F150 MODELS VIA FORD FORUMS AND OTHER INTERNET SITES AS WELL AS THE LOCAL FORD DEALER REPAIR SHOP WHO WORKED ON MY TRUCK. THIS LEAK SHORTS OUT THE FUSE PANEL IN THE CAB THAT CAUSES THE LOSS OF POWER TO EQUIPMENT INCLUDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE LEAK ALSO TENDS TO SHORT OUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CAUSING THE COMPUTER TO BE UNABLE TO READ WHAT GEAR THE TRUCK IS IN. THIS CAUSES THE TRUCK TO NOT START AND EVEN SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING WHICH AGAIN IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING IN ANY CONDITION. THIS LEAK COST ME $1500 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS DUE TO DAMAGE TO THE STARTER, RELAY, ALTERNATOR, COMPUTER, FUSE PANEL, AND HAVING TO REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THIS LEAK WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAVE ONLY ISSUED A SPECIAL SERVICE BULLETIN! I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE WINDSHIELD LEAK IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE YET A RECALL CAN BE ISSUED FOR FADING PAINT? *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 21, 2008110,900 milesMN

I WAS DRIVING ALONG MN7 ON MY WAY HOME. I STOPPED AT A 4 WAY STOP. WHEN IT WAS MY TURN TO GO, I STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND THEN MY #5 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. ONE MAY 4TH 2008, #3 AND #4 BLEW OUT AND IT COST ME $2,000 TO FIX THIS. AFTER DOING SOME SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS THAT A LOTS OF FORD F150 OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND FORD WILL DO NOTHING TO FIX IT. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jul 19, 200866,109 milesIL

ON MY WAY TO A WEDDING I NOTICED THE RPMS KICK UP. I PUSHED BUTTON ON TRANS SELECTOR AND PROBLEM WENT AWAY (FOR NOW).WAS PARKING TRUCK AND FOUND I HAD NO REVERSE. MONDAY TOOK TRUCK TO DEALER , MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG TILL HE OPENED CUP TRANSMISSION. MECHANIC FOUND WELD ON SUN SHELL BROKEN. CALLED FORD NO HELP. SPRING HILL FORD PUT A REBUILT TRANS IN TRUCK. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 14, 200869,000 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING AND FELT AND HEARD A POP IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD THINKING IT WAS A TIRE BLOW OUT. ONCE I GOT OUT AND CHECKED THE TIRES I STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN. IT SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS NO EXHAUST MANIFOLD. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT IT BLEW OUT A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE HEAD AND SPLIT THE COIL AND POSSIBLY DAMAGED ANOTHER COIL. IT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THE SITUATION. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY OUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A FORD DESIGN ERROR. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Jun 23, 2008168,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F150. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR SEVEN OR EIGHT HOURS, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NEVER RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 168,000.

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Jun 19, 2008CA

ON THE NIGHT OF JUNE 16TH 2008 JUST BEFORE MIDNITE, I HEARD AN EXPLOSION THEN CAR HORN BLARING. I LOOKED OUTSIDE AND SAW MY 2002 FORD F-150 ON FIRE. FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT FROM THE ENGINE THROUGH THE HOLE FROM THE EXPLOSION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I YELLED TO MY WIFE, CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MY TRUCK IS ON FIRE. MY TRUCK HAD BEEN PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR OVER 7 HOURS. I GOT HOME FROM WORK AT 4:30 PARKED MY TRUCK AND WAS DOZING OFF JUST BEFORE MIDNITE. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD SO WAS UNAWARE THERE WAS A PROBLEM UNTIL I GOOGLED FORD 2002 F-150 FIRES. THEN I KEPT READING STORY AFTER STORY ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE. AMAZING I NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE THIS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 3, 2008102,000 milesCO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. UPON INSPECTION HE NOTICED THE SPARK PLUGS WERE LOOSE AND THE COIL HAD BLOWN OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT WITHIN THE ENGINE THAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THEY REPLACED THE COILS AND THE SPARK PLUGS. APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT A DEFECT WITHIN THE ENGINE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THEY REPLACED THE COILS AND SPARK PLUGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE 113,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 2, 2008143,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F150 HARLEY DAVIDSON. ON JANUARY 3, 2008, A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT. ON MAY 31, 2008, WHILE AT A CAR WASH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SAME SPARK PLUG FROM THE SOLENOID HAD BLOWN AGAIN, WHICH ALSO BLEW THE ENGINE HEAD. THE REPAIR IS EXPECTED TO COST BETWEEN $2,200, AND $5,000. ALSO, IN DECEMBER OF 2007, THE SUNROOF MOTOR SHORTED AND NO LONGER WORKS. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,000, AND HAS NOT USED THE SUNROOF SINCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 143,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 2, 200850,000 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARKS PLUGS WERE LOOSENING AND STRIPPING OFF THE TREADS. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE ALSO DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE NOTIFIED THE FORD DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SPARK PLUGS FLYING OFF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE SPARK PLUGS DETACH, SPARKS FLY. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AND BEFORE MOVING. THE FAILURE ALWAYS OCCURS WITH THE NUMBER THREE CYLINDER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 07/29/08. *LJ UPDATED 08/05/08. *JB

Steering
Filed Jun 1, 200859,000 milesOH

TOTAL FAILURE TIE ROD AND BALL JOINT ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE SUDDENLY CAME APART WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOST OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO "DIRECT" TRUCK OFF THE ROAD. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed May 26, 200884,000 milesCA

MY 2002 FORD F-150 EXTENDED CAB 5.4LITRE PICKUP BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER TO INQUIRE AS TO THE PRICE OF REPLACING AN EXHAUST GASKET AS THIS IS WHAT THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE. THE SERVICE ADVISER AFTER HEARING THE MAKE MODEL AND SIZE ENGINE AND YEAR OF THE TRUCK SAID, "NO YOU DID NOT BLOW THE EXHAUST GASKET, YOU BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE HEAD". I WAS ASTOUNDED AS TO HOW HE COULD MAKE A DIAGNOSIS OF THIS TYPE AS I HAD NEVER EVEN HEARD OF SUCH AN OCCURRENCE. THE COST WOULD BE A MINIMUM OF $850.00. AFTER GOING ON THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO BE A PREVALENT PROBLEM. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed May 23, 200879,000 milesDE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 F150 PICKUP TRUCK. WHILE PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON HIS VEHICLE HE FOUND CHIPS OF METAL AND PITTING ON THE FRONT ROTOR. IT IS TEARING THE TREAD ON THE FRONT TIRES, AND TORE UP THE INSIDE PAD. WHEN YOU STOPPED THE VEHICLE, IT WAS PULSING AS THOUGH YOU HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 79,000. UPDATED 07/10/08. *LJ UPDATED *JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 20, 200877,451 milesTX

MY 2002 F150 HAS STARTED ACCELERATING WITHOUT WARNING ON IT'S OWN. I AM A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND SUGGESTED TO THE DEALER THAT THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL MODULE, THEY DENIED ANY ISSUES OF SUCH. MY WIFE EXPERIENCED THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND AT ONE TIME CAUSING HER TO ALMOST BE HIT MY AN ONCOMING TRAIN. LUCKILY SHE WAS SMART ENOUGH TO IMMEDIATELY THROW IT INTO NEUTRAL AND BRAKE, THE TRAIN CAME WITHIN INCHES OF THE TRUCK. AGAIN FORD DENIES KNOWING OF ANY SUCK ISSUES WITH THE ACCELERATION. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED DUE TO THE LACK OF INTEREST ON FORDS PART. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 14, 2008102,000 milesAL

PLUG BLOWN OUT OF HEAD!!!!!!! COST 250 DOLLARS TO FIX.......... *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed May 12, 2008110,000 milesNC

OUR 2002 F-150, CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD SATURDAY 5/10/08 EVENING AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 45 MINUTES AT OUT HOME. WE BELIEVE IT HAD TO DO WITH THE FORD RECALLS OUT ON THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH. IT STARTED WHERE THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOCATED AND BURNED TO THE MASTER CYLINDER. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 5, 2008106,001 milesCA

THE # 3 SPARK PLUG SHOT OUT OF THE MY FORD F150 5.4 V8 TRITON ENGINE. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH THREADS TO HOLD THIS IN CORRECTLY. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY FORD. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 4, 2008100,000 milesNH

BLEW OUT TWO SPARK PLUGS AND ALMOST GOT REARENDED ON THE HIGHWAY BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. *TR

Structure
Filed Apr 19, 200885,000 milesWI

MY VEHICLE HAS A WATER LEAK THAT IS GETTING THE GEM MODULE WET AND THIS HAS RESULTED IN THE WIPERS FAILING, THE POWER WINDOWS TO FAIL, THE HEATER FAN STAYS ON AFTER THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, AND THE ENGINE RUNS VERY ROUGH AND STALLS RESULTING IN ME LOSING THE POWER STEERING AND PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN A DITCH, THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DURING A RECENT HEAVY RAIN AND I HAD TO PULL ONTO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE FOR OVER 30 MINUTES. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE CLAIMS THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM BUT I FOUND OUT THEY ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 98-9-13 TO THE DEALERS ABOUT THIS AND ALSO FORD SPECIAL MESSAGE #15773 FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER WANTS OVER $1,100.00 TO FIX .THIS PROBLEM IS IN 1997-2002 FORD F150 AND EXPEDITIONS. I FEEL THAT THE LOSS OF WIPERS AND SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES IS A BIGGER SAFETY HAZARD THAN THE CURRENT RECALL ON THE CRUISE CONTROL. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 3, 200868,500 milesCT

THE #4 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF MY 2002 FORD F150. IT HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF EACH OTHER. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Apr 3, 2008144,000 milesLA

MY FORD 2002 F 150 SUPERCREW CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED IN MY DRIVE WAY IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN 24 HOURS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 28, 2008103 milesMO

I HAVE HAD THE 02' F150 JUST OVER ONE YEAR AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD LEAKING INTO THE CAB. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 97' TO 03' F150 MODEL VIA FORD FORUMS AND OTHER INTERNET GROUPS. THIS LEAK SHORTS OUT THE FUSE PANEL CAUSING THE LOSS IN POWER IN VARIOUS EQUIPMENT INCLUDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THIS SHORT HAS ALSO CAUSED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO FAIL CAUSING THE COMPUTER TO NOT READ WHAT GEAR THE TRUCK IS IN WHICH HAS CAUSED THE TRUCK NOT TO START OR STOP RUNNING WHILE THE TRUCK IS IN OPERATION. THE ONLY WAY THE FIX THE PROBLEM IS TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REMOVED AND RESEALED AS WELL AS REPLACING THE FUSE PANEL REPLACED. OTHERS AS WELL AS I HAVE HAD TO HAVE OTHER REPAIRS MADE DUE TO THE LEAK INCLUDING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, STARTER, RELAY, ALTERNATOR, AND THE IGNITION SENSOR. I HAVE HAD TO MAKE THESE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET AS NO MANUFACTURE RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED, ONLY A SPECIAL SERVICE BULLETIN. FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT HAS STATED THAT IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 20, 200845,000 milesNY

DRIVING 2002 FORD F-150 AND SUDDENLY ENGINE LOST POWER AND MADE POPPING SOUNDS. THIS HAPPENED ON VERY BUSY STREET NEARLY GOT REAR-ENDED AS POWER DRAMATICALLY FELL OFF. CHECKED ENGINE AND SPARK PLUG WAS BLOWN OUT AND COIL WAS DESTROYED ABOVE THE SPARK PLUG RIGHT UNDERNEATH FUEL RAIL. STRANDED ON SIDE OF BUSY ROAD FOR 2 HOURS UNTIL VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER HAD TO USE HELIOCOIL AND REPLACED COIL COSTING APPROXIMATELY $600. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Mar 19, 200850,000 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F150. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 19, 2008NJ

2002 F150 SUPERCREW LEAKY WINDSHIELD CAUSING ELECTRICAL PARTS TO GO ON AND OFF. I WISH FORD WOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM IM AFRAID TO TAKE THE FAMILY IN IT IN FEAR OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *TR

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Mar 11, 200878,000 milesAL

1. DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH IN TOWN IN VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES. HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND TRUCK IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO SPUTTER. HAD TO PULL OVER. BARELY MADE IT TO AUTO SHOP A COUPLE OF MILES DOWN THE ROAD. 2. DIAGNOSED AS A BLOWN SPARK PLUG WHICH DAMAGED THE BLOCK, HEAD AND ENGINE. THE AUTO REPAIR COMPANY TOLD ME THAT ONLY FORD DEALER COULD REPAIR THIS DAMAGE. ESTIMATED AT $3500 TO $4000 TO REPAIR. 3. HAVE YET TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO, AS WE STILL OWE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 29, 2008AZ

FORD'S RECALL ABOUT CRUISE CONTROL FIRES HAS BEEN ON CNN THREE TIMES IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER EACH TIME WHEN THE FIRST TWO RECALLS CAME OUT. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD BY THE FORD DEALER THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO MAKE THE REPAIR. I ASKED THEM TO CALL ME WHEN THE PARTS CAME IN. I PHONED PHIL WHITE FORD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AFTER THAT AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD THEY STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS. NOW I HAVE A NEW FORD, SAME RECALL. IT APPEARS THEY ARE STILL USING THE DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL PART THAT HAVE BEEN USED FOR THE PAST 6 OR SO YEARS. *TR

Seat Belts › Front
Filed Feb 29, 200875,000 milesFL

BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS POP OPEN DURING RIDE. *TR

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Feb 28, 2008410,000 milesMI

VEHICLE DASH LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON WHEN VEHICLE OFF. DOOR LOCKS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK BY THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING. AND WHILE THE TRUCK WAS OFF. VEHICLE WOULD BE COMPLETELY DEAD WHEN GO TO START. AFTER REPLACING WITH A NEW BATTERY, TRUCK WOULD NOT START. HAD A TOW TRUCK COME AND WHEN HE TRIED TO START IT, IT STARTED RIGHT UP. AFTER HE SHUT OFF, IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD WOULD NOT START. TOOK TRUCK TO GARAGE. IT TOOK MECHANICS 5 HOURS TO FIND THE PROBLEM. AFTER CHECKING ALL THE RELAYS AND FUSE BOXES, ETC. IT ENDED UP TO BE THE FUSEBOX UNDER THE DASH. THE FUSEBOX WAS CORRODED AND DETERIORATING DUE TO WATER DAMAGE, WHICH WAS CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF LEAK FROM THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING WATER TO ENTER THE FUSEBOX. THUS CAUSING THE FUSEBOX DAMAGE. THE MECHANICS REPLACED THE FUSEBOX AND A RELAY. I DO HAVE THE OLD ONE THAT WAS DAMAGED. HE SAID THE WINDSHIELD NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OUT TO BE RESEALED ON REINSTALLING. WHICH NEEDS TO BE DONE YET. HE SAID I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING OR SHORTING WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FIRE PROBLEM. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 12, 200853,851 milesKY

SPARK PLUG EJECTION ON 2002 FORD F150 5.4L V-8 ENGINE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 10, 200854,260 milesCA

MY 2002 FORD F150 NEEDED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS BLINKING ON AND OFF AND I LATER FOUND OUT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. I'VE BEEN READING ONLINE FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS LIKE FORD HAS SOME TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE CAN NOT BE A RECALL IN REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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