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2002 Ford Econoline
The 2002 Ford Econoline appears in 2 NHTSA recall campaigns (vehicle speed control and fuel system, gasoline) and in 23 consumer complaints filed with the agency.
The component named most often is engine and engine cooling: 240 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 103.2 per 1,000 across all 2002 model-year vehicles and against 116.4 per 1,000 for the Ford Econoline line as a whole.
That is about the same as the average of 18.8 complaints per model year across the 48 Ford Econoline model years on this register; 0 complaints reported a crash and 3 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2007 (5); the most recent in the file is dated 14 Oct 2017.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 1 investigation naming this model year.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY (manufacturer campaign 08S01).
Defect, as filed: On certain cutaway chassis cab with the school bus option, two brackets and two outrigger members are missing in the area of the fuel tank.
Consequence: The brackets and outrigger members are intended to enhance crash performance.
Remedy: Ford will send technicians to the owner's location to inspect and add the brackets and outriggers as required. Owner notification began on september 3, 2003. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY (manufacturer campaign 03S06).
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2002 Ford Econoline (black) against all 2002 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2002 | Econoline line | All 2002 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 240 | 116.4 | 103.2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 200 | 105.9 | 39.4 |
| Steering | 80 | 47.2 | 39.2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 80 | 176.7 | 78.7 |
| Electrical System | 80 | 82.2 | 94.1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 80 | 7 | 10.2 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2002 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 240 | 116.4 | 103.2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 200 | 105.9 | 39.4 |
| Steering | 2 | 80 | 47.2 | 39.2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 80 | 176.7 | 78.7 |
| Electrical System | 2 | 80 | 82.2 | 94.1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | 80 | 7 | 10.2 |
| Engine | 2 | 80 | 5.2 | 21.5 |
| Structure | 1 | 40 | 33.2 | 61.3 |
| Suspension | 1 | 40 | 47.2 | 80.9 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 40 | 75.2 | 33.1 |
| Tires | 1 | 40 | 70.9 | 25.1 |
23 unique complaints, 25 component mentions; 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DP05005 | Defect petition | SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD | engine and engine cooling:engine | 22 Sep 2005 | 4 Jan 2006 | — |
Other Ford Econoline model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 16,000 |
| 1969 | 3 | 0 | 134,850 |
| 1971 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 765 |
| 1972 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 32,088 |
| 1975 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 252,000 |
| 1976 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 252,000 |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 | 264,500 |
| 1978 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 19,000 |
| 1979 | 7 | 1 | 240,500 |
| 1980 | 3 | 1 | 102,500 |
| 1981 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 1,650 |
| 1982 | 2 | 1 | 493 |
| 1983 | 5 | 2 | 311,312 |
| 1984 | 6 | 7 | 298,800 |
| 1985 | 5 | 10 | 282,875 |
| 1986 | 5 | 7 | 3,874,375 |
| 1987 | 4 | 15 | 3,804,250 |
| 1988 NHTSA | 0 | 22 | — |
| 1989 | 2 | 32 | 461,000 |
| 1990 | 4 | 30 | 487,010 |
| 1991 | 3 | 24 | 376,010 |
| 1992 | 3 | 83 | 255,287 |
| 1993 | 3 | 64 | 232,323 |
| 1994 | 4 | 123 | 1,431,194 |
| 1995 | 4 | 73 | 1,445,290 |
| 1996 | 3 | 81 | 1,478,400 |
| 1997 | 2 | 79 | 230,000 |
| 1998 | 2 | 45 | 229,500 |
| 1999 | 5 | 84 | 236,043 |
| 2000 | 3 | 39 | 232,800 |
| 2001 | 3 | 28 | 225,076 |
| 2002 | 2 | 23 | 225,064 |
| 2003 | 2 | 22 | 225,064 |
| 2005 | 2 | 0 | 436 |
| 2006 | 2 | 0 | 436 |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | 436 |
| 2009 NHTSA | 1 | 1 | 3,868 |
| 2010 NHTSA | 1 | 1 | 3,868 |
| 2011 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 3,868 |
| 2012 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 3,868 |
| 2013 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 3,868 |
| 2014 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 3,868 |
| 2015 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 3,868 |
| 2016 NHTSA | 1 | 1 | 3,868 |
| 2017 NHTSA | 1 | 3 | 1,456,417 |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | 1,456,742 |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 | 1,456,742 |
| 2026 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 6,909 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Ford Econoline model years · Ford: 201 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Econoline have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 08V051000, was reported to NHTSA on 4 Feb 2008 and concerns vehicle speed control:cruise control. Across all model years the Ford Econoline line has 58 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2002 Ford Econoline?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 1 action naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 2002 Ford Econoline complain about most?
Engine and Engine Cooling: 6 of 25 component mentions (240 per 1,000). Next is vehicle speed control with 5. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.