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150 platform

2002 Ford F-150

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 F-150.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2002 Ford F‑150 rides on the 150 platform with an automatic four‑speed transmission and a 6.0‑quart, 5W‑20 API oil fill, delivering an EPA rating of 11 city/15 highway/12 combined mpg. Owner‑reported issues total just 34 complaints, with the leading category being engine and cooling, yet the model carries zero recalls. Across the 1990‑2009 span, the 2002 year sits far below the 1997 peak of 2,991 complaints and only modestly above the 1990 low of 21, indicating a comparatively trouble‑free entry in the F‑150’s reliability record.

Model year201120102009200820072006200520042002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque150 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy11/15/12 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 59 · 540 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 59 · 540 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP275-60R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length220.9 in
Overall width79.5 in
Overall height75.6 in
Wheelbase139 in
Curb weight4403 lb
Track (front / rear)65 / 65 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined11 / 15 / 12 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelNatural Gas

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the F-150 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.30 sec — 2002 Lariat SuperCab (6.6 ft. Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2002Lariat SuperCab (6.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V89.30 sec16.70 sec260 hp4x4
2003Harley-Davidson SuperCrew (5.4 ft. Bed) 5.4L Supercharger V85.96 sec14.39 sec340 hpRWD
2003Lariat SuperCab Styleside (6.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V88.20 sec16.30 sec260 hpRWD
2000XLT SuperCab (6.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V88.90 sec16.70 sec260 hp4x4
2004FX4 SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V88.90 sec16.30 sec300 hp4x4
2004Lariat SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V89.30 sec17.00 sec300 hp4x4
2004Lariat SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V89.90 sec17.40 sec300 hp4x4
1998XLT SuperCab 5.4L V88.70 sec16.70 sec235 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 150 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.5 Pints Rear, 8.8 and 9.7
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.5 Pints Rear, 8.8 and 9.7
Engine CoolantUSE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6-9 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts118 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55-64 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts54-64 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)72.0-97.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket157.0-212-0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle72.0-97.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket72.0-97.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts150 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)760 DOHC rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.06 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type68
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number59
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 cca
Optional BCI Group Number65 - CANADA OR OPTIONAL

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)30-45
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)30-45
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)40-120 CNG
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure40-125 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2500 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure20-45 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs / 21-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs / 136 ft-lbs
OtherHeavy Duty / Light Duty
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33 ft. lbs., Step 4: 12018 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33 degrees, Step 3: 9018 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees, Step 3: 12033 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30 ft. lbs., Step 3: 9018 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
166 ft. lbs., Step 2: loosen one turn, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9066 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
166 ft. lbs., step 2: Loosen one turn., step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9066 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
1all bolts15 ft. lbs
2all bolts30 ft. lbs
3all bolts37 ft. lbs
1loosen 2-3 turn
2if long bolt33 ft. lbs
3180 degrees; Proceed to next bolt in sequence180 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 183.7 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13 ft. lbs., step 2: 183 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 12037 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18 ft. lbs., Step 3: 30 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90 degrees7.4 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Filter (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The F-150 experienced a significant surge in federal records starting in 1997, which peaked at 2,991 complaints and 26 recalls. The 2002 model falls within a downward trend of this arc, reporting 957 complaints and 11 recalls, a marked improvement over the 1,347 complaints and 20 recalls seen in 2001. Top complaint areas for 2002 include Engine & Engine Cooling (5) and Tires (4), though the data does not specify the root causes. While the 2003 model showed even fewer complaints, the 2004 model saw a sharp rebound to 2,035 complaints, making 2002 appear more stable by comparison. With only 2 crash complaints and 1 fire complaint, the 2002 model maintains a low safety-incident profile. Given the reduction in recalls and complaints relative to the 1997-2001 period, this is a good year to buy.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
37
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
34
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’91’92’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 34 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling5
Tires4
Engine3
Power Train2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Unknown Or Other2
Steering2
Steering,Service Brakes1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 37 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
ASI-444082014-02-01Equipment Adaptive/MobilityFORD: THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM) WHEN USING VCM II, WOULD HAVE AN ERROR CODE 35…
CSP-48B012008-05-26Engine And Engine CoolingFORD: VEHICLES MISTAKENLY CHARGED $100 POWERTRAIN WARRANTY DEDUCTIBLE FOR FUEL INJECTOR…
072122007-10-01Engine And Engine CoolingSOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG…
190152006-01-01Fuel System, OtherFUEL CONDITIONER. LOW POWER, POOR FUEL ECONOMY, FUEL GELLING IN COLD WEATHER, EXCESSIVE…
0416012005-11-14Engine And Engine CoolingWDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific F-150. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 59 batteryVehicles taking 6.0 qt150-platform vehicles

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 F-150 take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 F-150 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the F-150 get?

EPA figures are 11 city / 15 highway / 12 combined mpg.