2002 Ford F350 XLT 7.3L Power-Stroke

Summary:

An excellent truck. Poor dealer mechanics

Faults:

22000 miles-Engine cut out and re-engaged five times while driving. Dealer replaced the Cam Position Sensor

24000 miles-Engine cut out and re-engaged seven times while driving. Dealer replaced the Cam Position Sensor

26000 miles-Engine cut out and and re-engaged several times while driving and ultimately would not restart. Dealer replaced Fuel Injection - High Control Pressure sensor, Powertrain Control Module , both batteries and repaired a shorted wire in the steering column.

Steering requires constant correction.

Front disks are warped already.

General Comments:

Power is more than sufficient.

Pulls anything well. Gas mileage is the same loaded and unloaded.

Able to maintain speed climbing Colorado mountain passes.

Cab is comfortable though noise dissipation is diminishing with age.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th May, 2003

2002 Ford F350 Lariat 7.3L Powerstroke diesel

Summary:

Crappy trailer hauler

Faults:

Well at first it started to become sluggish when pulling a trailer. And with only one horse in the trailer, the performance was cut nearly in half. When not pulling a trailer, the gas mileage was about the same. There was no city or hwy. difference. It got roughly 15.6 mpg. The heated seats would not turn on. The brakes, transmission, front end, rear axle seals, and the front seats had to be replaced at 28000 miles. Also, the computer would not reset and wouldn't ever "activate" the self-leveling suspension.

General Comments:

Good truck for just driving. Crappy fuel mileage, Nice Looks, but yet loud. Good, and comfortable truck. Mechanics Dream.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th April, 2003

2002 Ford F350 Laritat 7.3L Powerstroke turbo diesel

Summary:

Good truck, if you want to spend a lot of money

Faults:

Around 20,000 miles; everything went wrong. First, the power seats started to act sluggish when moving. The in-dash 6 disc CD player would "eat" and scratch your discs.

At 28,000 miles the whole engine needed to be replaced. It needed a new brake system, a new transmission, and a new engine. The brakes were not adequite for the large size of the crew cab (4 door) long bed. Espeially when pulling a horse trailer.

General Comments:

It was a comfortable riding truck, but very loud and noisy.

It took forever to heat up so that the heater would be nice and warm.

The heated seats got really hot and sometimes wouldn't turn off.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th December, 2002

10th Oct 2007, 04:51

I cannot believe your posting! I have never heard of a truck having all the problems you are mentioning so early in its life. I have had 2 ford diesel trucks with well over 180,000 miles and none of those problems occur. I had to change the brakes about every 50,000 miles, but when you consider I was towing a boat that is not bad. my original axle seal was changed for the 1st time at 180,000 on one axle. did somebody pay you to post that??? the 7.3l ford diesel engine is the best. I wish ford would bring it back. it's true that the 6.0l from 2003-04 had problems, but the new 6.4l is a lot better. let's see what comes of it in a few years.

In reply to 10th Oct 2007, 04:51

14th Sep 2012, 06:53

I'm sure no one "paid them to post that".

I had a 7.3 Powerstroke once upon a time, and did not dare keep it beyond the warranty period. It wasn't just the engine, the whole truck was a POS. Constantly in the dealership for warranty issues, and I didn't want to foot the bill when the warranty was up. Power? Yes, in spades. Wow. That doesn't do me much good when it's in the garage, though. I hear stories from truck owners claiming "Never had a problem with mine", but I've yet to experience good ownership with ANY Ford truck I ever had: three F250s (currently have an old '96 for firewood hauling, it was initially affordable, but it's a money pit to keep it operational) and two F150s (both were poor by anyone's standards). It baffles me how they can't seem to make a vehicle that meets my expectations after how many years of building them? Ford lovers, don't be mad. These are my real life experiences.

Toyota, PLEASE make an HD model as reliable as your small trucks.