Model year record

2002 Ford E-250 recalls & problems

The 2002 Ford E-250 has 5 safety recalls and 17 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is tires (4 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints17filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Vehicle speed controlOct 13, 2009

Vehicle speed control

Recall 09V3990004,500,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Risk: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Fix: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Vehicle speed controlFeb 4, 2008

Cruise control

Recall 08V051000225,000 vehicles

Problem: FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
Risk: AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Vehicle speed controlAug 3, 2007

Vehicle speed control

Recall 07V3360003,600,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityDec 15, 2004

Equipment adaptive/mobility

Recall 04V589000501 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN VANS BUILT ON FORD E250/E350 CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR ACCUBUILT AT 419-222-1501.

EquipmentMay 13, 2004

Other › Labels

Recall 04V23200028,456 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN VANS AND WAGONS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION." FOR CERTAIN 2003 E250 VANS BUILT WITH LT225/75R16E TIRES, THE REAR AXLE RATING IS INCORRECTLY LISTED ON THE LABEL. IN ADDITION, THE TIRE PRESSURE IS INCORRECTLY LISTED ON THE LABEL FOR THE REAR TIRES ON CERTAIN 2002 E350 WAGONS AND FOR THE FRONT TIRES ON CERTAIN 2002 E250 VANS BUILT WITH THESE TIRES.
Risk: FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION RECOMMENDATION CAN RESULT IN TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH SUPPLEMENTARY TIRE LABELS CONTAINING CORRECT INFORMATION AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

E250 Econoline 2WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

E250 Econoline 2WD

13mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
TiresTread/belt	4	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicPedals and linkages; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module	4	1	0	4	36,414 mi
Electrical systemWiring; Ignition › Module	2	0	1	0	—
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor	2	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly	1	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	1	1	0	4	—
Wheels	1	1	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	1	0	1	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	1	0	0	0	—
Fuel/propulsion system	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Tires
BOTH FRONT TIRES MERELY DEVELOPED TREAD BULGES , LESS THAN 15K MILES, NEVER HAD A FLAT, BEEN OVERLOADED ,OVERINFLATED , ECT.. THEY JUST BECAME VERY POOR DRIVING AND VIBRATED BADLY TO FIND THEY BOTH HAVE BULGES IN THE TREAD. THEY SEEMED FINE ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO AND WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE IT A COUPLE DAYS AGO THE PROBLEM BECAME APPARENT. *TR
Jun 24, 2020 · 282,952 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE FUEL TANK STRAP DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO NEARLY TOUCH THE GROUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Jun 3, 2015 · 160,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
I OWN A FORD F-250 WITH A 5.4 MOTOR. THIS TRUCK BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE MOTOR ON 4-15 -2008 AND IT BLEW A DIFFERENT SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE MOTOR ON 5-13-2009. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS TRUCK AND OTHER VEHICLES AND CORRECT THIS DEFECT. I WILL BE TALKING WITH A LAWYER IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS IN HOPES OF GETTING MY TRUCK REPAIRED AND TO RECOVER THE MONEY I HAVE ALREADY SPENT FOR REPAIRS.I F SAFERCAR.GOV WILL CHECK WITH PARTS HOUSES SUCH AS AUTO ZONE AND REPAIR SHOPS YOU WILL FIND THIS IS A VERY BIG PROBLEM, A VERY VERY BIG PROBLEM. I PULL A HORSE TRAILER AND IF THIS SPARK WOULD HAVE BLEW OUT WHILE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC ME OR MY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED !!!!!! *TR WALTER GLENN…
May 13, 2009 · 117,715 miles
Electrical system › Ignition › Module
FAILURE OF CAM POSITION SENSOR ON 2002 FORD F250 DIESEL. MOTOR STOPS WORKING LOST OF POWER STEERING AND ALL POWER,AS IF KEY WAS TURNED OFF. IF PULLING TRAILER THIS WAS AN EXTREMLY DANGERIOS CONDITIONIN IN THE FORD 2002 F250 TRUCK WITH THE 7.3 DIESEL MOTOR. JUST CHECK THE INTERNET TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLLE WERE HAVING TROUBLE. *AK
Jun 28, 2007 · 40,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
TOTAL CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE AT 51,000 MILES. SAT AT DEALERSHIP FROM JAN 3,2006 TO APRIL 7, 2005 WAITING FOR DEALER ONLY PART. NO CAUSE FOUND. TRUCK WAS IN EXCELLENT RUNNING CONDITION. *NM
Jan 3, 2005 · 51,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
4R70W TRANSMISSION FAILURE. PLANETARY GEAR SHATTERED RESULTING IN A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. REQUIRING THE TRANSMISSION TO BE REBUILT. *NM
Feb 14, 2007 · 75,000 miles
Vehicle speed control › Cruise controlFire
FORD HAS RECALLS ON 1994-2002 FORD TRUCK 8500 GVW AND UNDER I HAVE A 2002 F250 FORD 8600 GVW THAT USES SAME CRUISE CONTROL PARTS AS THE OTHER TRUCKS. THIS UNIT WAS SITTING IN GARAGE WHEN NOT RUNNING WHEN THE SAME PARTS THAT ARE BEING REPLACED ON OTHER VEHICLES IGNITED ON FIRE. FORD WILL NOT REPLACE THE PARTS. *JB
Sep 5, 2005 · 90,000 miles
Tires › Tread/belt
TIRE SEPARATION, GOODYEAR LT245/75R16E TIRES. AT APPROXIMATELY 30000 MILES, THE TIRE BEGAN TO BOUNCE DUE TO A TREAD SEPARATION, CREATING AN UNSAFE SITUATION. *AK
Mar 20, 2005 · 30,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

HVAC Switch FailuresClosed
This investigation was opened based on one complaint and reports from four transportation fleets alleging 182 blower motor control switch failures.ODI was concerned that these melting and burning switches could lead to an open flame that could spread throughout the vehicle.After a comprehensive review of all data related to overheating blower motor control switches in the subject vehicles, ODI did not identify the existence of a safety defect trend.ODI reviewed 1,036 complaints, claims, and field reports of failed blower motor control switches and determined that only two fires were likely to have been caused by a failing subject blower motor control switch.This represents a failure rate of 0.2 R/100K on a population of 1,076,975 vehicles that have been in service for up to 14 years.ODI has found that when the subject switches do fail and begin to melt, they are constructed in a manner…
EA10003 · opened Apr 13, 2010 · closed Mar 5, 2012
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADClosed
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 EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY…
DP05005 · opened Sep 22, 2005 · closed Jan 4, 2006