Four problems related to anti-theft controller have been reported for the 2002 Ford F-150. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Ford F-150 based on all problems reported for the 2002 F-150.
This is the second occurrence of this nature. The previous happened approximately in July of 2014. At that time the dealership said that the key was the problem and I paid for a new key and everything has been good until ~ 1/4/15. This time, the pats (anti-theft) system triggered and rendered the vehicle useless. After ~ 45 minutes it eventually started and I drove it to the dealership. It was there for 2 days and they couldn't get the system to trigger. Therefore, they had me come pick up the vehicle. Two days later, the vehicle rendered itself useless again through the pats system. The vehicle wouldn't start for 2 days as I tried to start it periodically as I was instructed by the dealership. Finally it started on the 3rd morning. When I originally took the truck in the two guys at the dealership said that this is a common problem in this year model. In fact when I told him of the issue I was having, the service manager asked if I had a 2002 f150. We had a good laugh when I said "yes, and that isn't a good sign that you know that- without seeing my vehicle. " he explained that the tilt mechanism in the steering column damages the wire that runs from the key transponder area to the sending unit that tells the engine that this is the correct key. This was the night that they kept the truck for 2 days. This is a situation where a perfect operational vehicle is not functioning because of a chaffed wire or the wire has been pulled from its soldering point. I am the owner, yet I have the same chance of starting that truck as a car thief. It makes no sense. This didn't seem like a safety issue to me until I was stranded for 45 minutes in a parking lot and it was extremely cold. I envisioned someone turning their car/truck off for some reason in a place where the temp was well below freezing and freezing to death because this system has been triggered.
Intermittent starting problem caused by the anti theft unit in that it won't allow the truck to start. If allowed to sit for an hour or so it usually starts. Ford dealerships say that they have to have it when the problem is occurring. Well, now the problem seems permanent, as it won't start at all. When asked if system can be turned off they say "no, it is a safety issue" their safety issue has put me in peril on more than one occasion. One being on a boat ramp with rising water and a vehicle that won't start. How safe is that? the vehicle is at the dealer now, and they tell me they must duplicate the not starting so they can see what's wrong, in fact it is not starting.
Truck makes noise and will not start the key pad will not let me in my truck and the truck acts like it wants to start but anti theft system won't let it start. Are there any recalls on this problem.
Water leak from the windshield into the dash board damaging electronic components for the amount over $800. 00, the vehicle is a 2002 Ford 150, it had a the time of the incident only 33,000 miles but it was out of warranty for about 5 weeks. Therefore they wouldn't fix it without a charge.