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Ford · Known Issues

2002 Ford F-250 Super Duty Problems: 5 Known Issues

2002 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026

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Issue summary

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2002 Ford F-250 Super Duty has 5 documented known issues, with 3 rated critical. The most serious are 6.8L V10 and 5.4L Triton 2-Valve Spark Plug Ejection from Aluminum Cylinder Head ($300-$1,500 repair), 7.3L Power Stroke Camshaft Position Sensor Failure - Sudden Stall and No Restart ($80-$300 repair) and Speed Control Deactivation Switch Underhood Fire - Recall 07V-078 ($0-$0 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $80 to $1,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

In This Article

  • F-250 Super Duty Engine1
  • F-250 Super Duty Electrical1
  • F-250 Super Duty Safety/Recalls1
  • F-250 Super Duty Exhaust1
  • F-250 Super Duty Steering1
  • FAQ
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In This Article

  • Engine1
  • Electrical1
  • Safety/Recalls1
  • Exhaust1
Steering
1
  • FAQ
  • All 5 Known Issues

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    On the 1999-2003 Ford F-250 Super Duty, the early 2-valve Triton aluminum heads used in the gas Super Duty carry only about four threads in the spark plug bore. Combustion pressure and heat cycling gradually pull those few aluminum threads until the plug backs out and is ejected from the head, often taking the coil-on-plug boot with it. Owners describe a gunshot bang followed by an instant severe misfire and an exhaust-like roar from under the hood. It is the defining failure of the pre-3-valve Triton engines and affects the 6.8L V10 and the 5.4L V8 in the same way. Ford addressed it with a revised head design carrying substantially more thread engagement, so later trucks are not exposed.

    This issue also affects: Ford Aerostar, Ford Bronco, Ford Bronco Sport

    Common Symptoms

    • Loud bang or pop from the engine bay followed by a misfire
    • Very loud exhaust-like ticking or roaring under the hood
    • Severe misfire and check engine light
    • Spark plug found loose or missing from the head
    • Damaged or blown-off coil-on-plug boot

    How to Fix

    Repair means installing a steel thread insert in the head - Time-Sert and Cal-Van style kits are made specifically for this, and the better kits allow the repair with the head on the truck. Do not simply retorque the original plug into damaged aluminum; it will eject again. There is no recall or free remedy. Many owners proactively insert all cylinders, or at minimum inspect and anti-seize/torque plugs correctly at every change.

    Typical repair cost:$300 - $1,500

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    High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

    On the 1999-2003 Ford F-250 Super Duty 7.3L Power Stroke V8 diesel, on the 1999-2003 7.3L Power Stroke the camshaft position sensor is the PCM's only engine-position input. When it fails the PCM no longer knows when to fire the injectors and the engine simply shuts off - often at speed, with no warning and no check engine light. It may restart after cooling and then die again, or it may not restart at all. The classic confirmation on 1999-2001 trucks is a tachometer that stays dead while cranking. Forum consensus on ford-trucks.com and the diesel boards treats a spare CPS in the glovebox as standard equipment on these trucks, which tells you how routine the failure is. It does not always set a code, which is why it is so often misdiagnosed as a fuel or IDM problem.

    This issue also affects: Ford Expedition, Ford Explorer, Ford F-150

    Common Symptoms

    • Engine stalls suddenly while driving
    • No restart, or restarts after cooling and dies again
    • Tachometer does not move while cranking
    • Hard start or extended crank
    • No check engine light despite the stall

    How to Fix

    Replace the sensor - a single bolt and one connector on the front of the timing cover, a ten-minute job. Use a genuine Ford or International (Navistar) sensor; aftermarket units are widely reported to fail again quickly. No recall covers it. Carrying a spare and a socket is standard practice among owners because the failure strands the truck.

    Typical repair cost:$80 - $300

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    High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

    On the 1999-2003 Ford F-250 Super Duty, the speed control deactivation switch threads into the brake master cylinder and is electrically live at all times, even with the key out and the truck parked. Brake fluid migrates past the internal diaphragm into the electrical side of the switch, where it corrodes and short circuits the contacts. The switch overheats, smokes and can ignite an underhood fire on a parked, unattended vehicle. Ford recalled these switches across a very large family of vehicles built from the 1990s into the mid-2000s; for the Super Duty, NHTSA campaign 07V-078 (announced March 2007, about 155,584 vehicles) covers 2003 F-250/F-350/F-450/F-550 Super Duty trucks, and the earlier campaigns in the family cover the older F-250 body. Coverage was assigned by VIN, not by model year alone.

    Common Symptoms

    • Smoke from under the hood with the vehicle parked and off
    • Burning or electrical smell near the master cylinder
    • Melted or discolored speed control switch connector
    • Cruise control stops working
    • Underhood fire

    How to Fix

    Free recall remedy at any Ford dealer - the repair installs a fused wiring harness in the speed control circuit or removes/replaces the switch, depending on the campaign. Recall repairs do not expire, so an untouched truck can still be brought in. Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup or Ford's recall page rather than assuming from the model year; owners of trucks in this family are widely advised not to park them in an attached garage until the recall is verified as performed.

    Typical repair cost:$0 - $0

    Research This Issue

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    High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

    On the 1999-2003 Ford F-250 Super Duty 7.3L Power Stroke V8 diesel, the 1999-2003 7.3L routes exhaust from each head to the turbo through two up-pipes sealed with crush-type 'donut' gaskets, one of which is buried under the engine in an awkward position. Constant heat cycling and expansion blow those gaskets out, so exhaust escapes before it reaches the turbine. The truck loses boost and power, exhaust gas temperatures climb, fuel economy falls off, and a distinct hissing or ticking appears under the cab that rises with load. The turbo pedestal O-rings and the exhaust back pressure valve in the pedestal leak in the same area and cause overlapping symptoms, so the two are usually addressed together.

    This issue also affects: Ford F-350

    Common Symptoms

    • Hissing or ticking exhaust noise under load that changes with throttle
    • Slow spool-up and reduced boost
    • Higher than normal exhaust gas temperatures
    • Loss of power and worse fuel economy
    • Soot staining around the up-pipe joints

    How to Fix

    The permanent fix is a set of bellowed up-pipes that use steel crush gaskets and absorb thermal expansion instead of relying on the factory donuts. While the turbo is off, replace the pedestal O-rings (they should never be reused) and inspect or delete the EBPV, which sticks and adds its own drivability complaints. No recall exists. Doing donut gaskets alone often results in a repeat failure on the same side.

    Typical repair cost:$500 - $1,500

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    High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

    On the 1999-2025 Ford F-250 Super Duty, the factory steering damper on the F-250 Super Duty wears out and fails, leading to increased steering shimmy, vibration at highway speeds, and reduced ability to dampen road imperfections. The single factory damper is often inadequate for the weight and solid front axle of the Super Duty. A worn damper does not cause death wobble directly but removes the last line of defense against oscillation. Most factory dampers are worn out by 50,000-80,000 miles.

    Common Symptoms

    • Shimmy or vibration at highway speeds
    • Steering feels loose over bumps
    • Front end wanders on rough roads
    • Visible oil leaking from damper
    • Increased effort to keep truck centered in lane

    How to Fix

    Replace the steering damper with a heavy-duty aftermarket unit. Fox 2.0 ($150-250), Bilstein 5100 ($100-150), or Rancho RS9000XL ($100-150) are popular upgrades. Some owners install dual steering damper kits ($200-400) for additional stability. Installation is a simple bolt-on job taking 30-60 minutes. Replace the damper every 50,000-60,000 miles as preventive maintenance.

    Typical repair cost:$100 - $400

    Research This Issue

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    Other Ford Models

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    What are the most common Ford F-250 Super Duty problems?

    According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2002 Ford F-250 Super Duty has 5 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 6.8L V10 and 5.4L Triton 2-Valve Spark Plug Ejection from Aluminum Cylinder Head, 7.3L Power Stroke Camshaft Position Sensor Failure - Sudden Stall and No Restart, Speed Control Deactivation Switch Underhood Fire - Recall 07V-078. Of these, 3 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

    Is the Ford F-250 Super Duty reliable?

    The 2002 Ford F-250 Super Duty has 5 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 3 issues are rated critical: 6.8L V10 and 5.4L Triton 2-Valve Spark Plug Ejection from Aluminum Cylinder Head and 7.3L Power Stroke Camshaft Position Sensor Failure - Sudden Stall and No Restart and Speed Control Deactivation Switch Underhood Fire - Recall 07V-078. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

    How much does it cost to fix common Ford F-250 Super Duty problems?

    Repair costs for known Ford F-250 Super Duty issues range from $0 to $1,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, 6.8L V10 and 5.4L Triton 2-Valve Spark Plug Ejection from Aluminum Cylinder Head, typically costs $300-$1,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

    What is the 1999-2003 Ford F-250 Super Duty 6.8L V10 and 5.4L Triton 2-Valve Spark Plug Ejection from Aluminum Cylinder Head?

    The early 2-valve Triton aluminum heads used in the gas Super Duty carry only about four threads in the spark plug bore. Combustion pressure and heat cycling gradually pull those few aluminum threads until the plug backs out and is ejected from the head, often taking the coil-on-… Repairs typically run $300-$1,500. Severity: high.

    What is the 1999-2003 Ford F-250 Super Duty 7.3L Power Stroke Camshaft Position Sensor Failure - Sudden Stall and No Restart?

    On the 1999-2003 7.3L Power Stroke the camshaft position sensor is the PCM's only engine-position input. When it fails the PCM no longer knows when to fire the injectors and the engine simply shuts off - often at speed, with no warning and no check engine light. It may restart af… Repairs typically run $80-$300. Severity: high.

    What is the 1999-2003 Ford F-250 Super Duty Speed Control Deactivation Switch Underhood Fire - Recall 07V-078?

    The speed control deactivation switch threads into the brake master cylinder and is electrically live at all times, even with the key out and the truck parked. Brake fluid migrates past the internal diaphragm into the electrical side of the switch, where it corrodes and short cir… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

    What is the 1999-2003 Ford F-250 Super Duty 7.3L Power Stroke Up-Pipe Donut Gasket Blowout and Exhaust Leak at the Turbo Pedestal?

    The 1999-2003 7.3L routes exhaust from each head to the turbo through two up-pipes sealed with crush-type 'donut' gaskets, one of which is buried under the engine in an awkward position. Constant heat cycling and expansion blow those gaskets out, so exhaust escapes before it reac… Repairs typically run $500-$1,500. Severity: medium.

    What is the 1999-2025 Ford F-250 Super Duty Steering Damper Failure and Shimmy?

    The factory steering damper on the F-250 Super Duty wears out and fails, leading to increased steering shimmy, vibration at highway speeds, and reduced ability to dampen road imperfections. The single factory damper is often inadequate for the weight and solid front axle of the S… Repairs typically run $100-$400. Severity: low.

    Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.

    Data compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, automotive forums, and AI-assisted research. No aggregated owner-report counts available for this vehicle yet.