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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
132,677 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Ford F-150 engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #35

Mar 222014

F-150 8-cyl

  • 204,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On March 22, 2014, the truck was parked in a local parking lot, the ignition key was removed and the truck was locked. The driver returned to the truck to find that while it was parked, a fire had begun in the engine compartment of the truck, and the fire department and police department were on the scene putting out the fire. Because of the quick actions of an individual parked nearby who used a fire hose to contain the fire until the fire department arrived, the cabin and the body of the truck were spared, and the damage was localized to the engine compartment. The cause of the fire was the speed control deactivation switch.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #34

Mar 122014

F-150 8-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
Spark plug failure as accelerating from a stop light, and engine problem resulting from 7 cylinder operation. Got it to a mechanic and he was able to sleeve the spark plug thread and install a new plug. Now the same is starting again. I am taking the vehicle to the mechanic to make permanent repairs for all the spark plug. This may end up with the engine heads being removed in order to make complete repairs, and the cost for that will be thousands of dollars. This is a Ford engine design problem that Ford has been aware of, yet they continue to deny any responsibility.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #33

Jun 072014

F-150 8-cyl

  • 125,000 miles
Spark plug blew on my F150 king ranch.

- Harrison Township, MI, USA

problem #32

Jul 162011

F-150

  • 145,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On more than one occasion spark plug and coil for #4 cylinder has blown out. Few times I was able to tighten down the plug and replace the coil. Last time it happened it messed up the threads. Had to buy a special plug to put in along with a rethread part. Now I can not every replace that spark plug do to having the threading housing.

- Azle, TX, USA

problem #31

Mar 242014

F-150 8-cyl

  • 206,000 miles
Was driving down the road at 35 mph and heard a pop then the engine started to run rough. Took to the mechanic said that I had a blown spark plug.

- Pierre, SD, USA

problem #30

Apr 132011

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,730 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 65-75 mph, the engine would hesitate then surge forward when the contact was attempting to accelerate. The failure was recurring. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, who stated that the egr sensor would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacture was not alerted of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,730. The VIN was not available....updated 03-12-14

- Suffolk, VA, USA

problem #29

Jan 042014

F-150 8-cyl

  • 180,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

A spark plug ejected from the right side head of the engine head while running down the hwy at 60 mph. The head might be damaged. I haven't had a chance to get it fixed. Been a Ford truck guy all my life & I can't believe Ford hasn't accepted any responsibility of any portion or kind for this. My estimated expense to repair this is $1,000 to $3,000 depending on any damage to the head etc.. I paid $4200 for the truck in April of 2013...it is in very good condition & to good to junk in my opinion. Besides I can't afford to buy another truck so I have to try to fix it. This is beyond disappointing, it is a major blow to the budget etc. Etc. Etc......

- Wisconsin Dells , WI, USA

problem #28

Jan 242014

F-150

  • 134,000 miles
Engine threw a spark plug out of the hole, broke the mount for the coil pack. This is the third time I have had this issue.

- Versailles, KY, USA

problem #27

Dec 042013

F-150

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the vehicle made a loud noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that there was a blown spark plug that needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 170,000.

- Russellville , AR, USA

problem #26

Nov 012013

F-150 8-cyl

  • 170,000 miles
#4 spark plug blew out of the engine. Stripping the threads from the block.

- Townville, SC, USA

problem #25

Sep 262013

F-150 8-cyl

  • 66,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Spark plug ejected while driving on high way. This is the second time a plug has ejected. The first time the truck had 39000 miles, original factory torqued spark plugs.

- North Andover , MA, USA

problem #24

Sep 132013

F-150 8-cyl

  • 252,000 miles
I was driving about 60 mph on a county road when the number 3 spark plug blew out of the cylinder head. I was able to stop safely, but the incident scared my 5 year old daughter. Because of the plug blowing out me and my daughter were stuck on the side of the road for about an hour in the Florida sun waiting on someone to come and get us and the truck. I called around and several repair shops stated it would cost me between $700 and a $1000. After doing extensive research online I discovered this is a major problem for the 5.4 Triton engine. I called Ford and they said the repair cost would be on me to fix. I feel that there needs to be a recall because of this defect in the cylinder head.

- Lake Butler, FL, USA

problem #23

Sep 172013

F-150 8-cyl

  • 106,800 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated that he heard a loud banging noise coming from under the hood. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the spark plug had become loose and had ejected from the cylinder head. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure and current mileage was 106,800....updated 11-12-13 according to the invoice, the #2 spark plug blew out of the head. The vehicle was repaired. Updated 11/19/13

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

problem #22

Aug 152013

F-150 8-cyl

  • 192,000 miles
Spark plug blew out of engine. This is the second time in a year on two different plugs. These are the original plugs.

- Wisconsin Rapids, WI, USA

problem #21

Jul 252013

F-150 8-cyl

  • 64,000 miles
After starting engine, spark plug #2 blew out of cylinder head. Damaging coil with a load explosion!

- Arvada, CO, USA

problem #20

Jul 032013

F-150 8-cyl

  • 66,000 miles
Oil leaking passenger side rear on to the starter and exhaust system.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #19

Jul 142013

F-150

  • 118,000 miles
Spark plug ejection when accelerating from a stop. This is the 3rd (third) plug that has blown out in the past year. This is the fourth repair due to the first repair using a "repair kit" that the local dealership recommended to the mechanic. This repair kit and coil pack became overheated and blew our after about 2 months of run time. It sounds like the thin aluminum heads is the source of this problem. Is there any recall or concerns from Ford on this problem. I do not think I am alone with this situation.

- Eau Claire, WI, USA

problem #18

Apr 212013

F-150

  • 149,500 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, he heard a loud noise as the vehicle began to shake violently. The vehicle was shut off and restarted however, the engine roared abnormally loud and exhibited a reduction in engine power. The contact found a spark plug sitting on top of the engine, which appeared to have been ejected from the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified and stated that no assistance would be offered. The failure and current mileage was 149,500.

- Pilot Point, TX, USA

problem #17

Apr 182013

F-150 8-cyl

  • 87,750 miles
While driving on mo hwy 150, I heard a loud popping noise coming from the engine compartment. I immediately pulled my 2002 Ford F-150 king ranch 4WD, to the side of the road and turned off the motor. Upon opening the hood I discovered the #3 engine cylinder sparkplug was gone! after towing the vehicle home I contacted my Ford dealer to have the motor fixed. The repair bill was $865. I went on the www and discovered that the Ford motors are notorious for this problem. Further, if the plug would have struck the fuel line just above, a fire might have engulfed the vehicle. I feel the Ford Motor Company should recall all the vehicles with this 5.4 motor and replace all parts effected by this problem.

- Grandview, MO, USA

problem #16

Apr 162008

F-150

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the vehicle shook and wobbled violently then fuel spewed from the engine. The failure recurred numerous times over the course of five years. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the spark plug coils were replaced. The failure recurred each time. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage 226,330.

- Bethel, MN, USA

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