Problems · by component

2002 Ford F-150 engine and engine cooling problems

215 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2002 Ford F-150 cite engine and engine cooling, 23% of all 955 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
215
23% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine and engine cooling

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR SUPPORTS WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2014Engine and engine coolingODI 10614561
“WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS BLEW OUT OF THE ALUMINUM HEAD ON TOP OF THE MOTOR. THIS VEHICLE MALFUNCTION DESTROYED A COIL PACK, SPARK PLUG AND WIRING.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2012Engine and engine coolingODI 10463701
“TRUCK STARTED MAKING NOISE EVERY TIME THERE WAS A BUMP. HANDLING FELT LOOSE. DISCOVERED THAT THE RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY AWAY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE MECHANIC REFERRED TO THE CONDITION AS "ROT". THIS SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR, A/C AND PROVIDES AN ATTACHMENT FOR THE FRONT FENDERS. I BOUGHT 4 VEHICLES THE SAME YEAR. CHECKED THE OTHER 3 AND THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I WILL BE FILING REPORTS ON THEM TOO. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 14, 2012Engine and engine coolingODI 10458426
“CHECKED THE CONDITION OF THIS TRUCKS RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT AFTER ANOTHER TRUCK BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAD ONE THAT ROTTED AWAY AND FAILED. THIS PART SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR, A/C AND PROVIDES AN ATTACHMENT FOR THE FRONT FENDERS. THIS VEHICLE'S RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH IN SPOTS AND LARGE FLAKES OF RUST FALL OFF WHEN IT IS DISTURBED. IT WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED AND 3 OTHERS BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 14, 2012Engine and engine coolingODI 10458434
“CHECKED THE CONDITION OF THIS TRUCKS RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT AFTER ANOTHER TRUCK BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAD ONE THAT ROTTED AWAY AND FAILED. THIS PART SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR, A/C AND PROVIDES AN ATTACHMENT FOR THE FRONT FENDERS. THIS VEHICLE'S RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH IN SPOTS AND LARGE FLAKES OF RUST FALL OFF WHEN IT IS DISTURBED. IT WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED AND 3 OTHERS BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 14, 2012Engine and engine coolingODI 10458436
“CHECKED THE CONDITION OF THIS TRUCKS RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT AFTER ANOTHER TRUCK BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAD ONE THAT ROTTED AWAY AND FAILED. THIS PART SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR, A/C AND PROVIDES AN ATTACHMENT FOR THE FRONT FENDERS. THIS VEHICLE'S RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH IN SPOTS AND LARGE FLAKES OF RUST FALL OFF WHEN IT IS DISTURBED. IT WILL NEED REPAIRED AND 3 OTHERS BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 14, 2012Engine and engine coolingODI 10458438

Showing 6 of 215 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.