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2002 Ford Ranger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Ranger years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Ford Ranger are substantially higher than the model-year median of 144.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

220 reports with mileage · 126 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

43 crash reports12 fire reports25 injury reports

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

4 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages

THE TAILGATE LATCH ON THE 2002 FORD RANGER PICKUP BROKE. THE PLASTIC MATERIAL APPEARED TO BE HEAVILY OXIDIZED AND BRITTLE , BASED ON MY MECHANICAL ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE. THE DEALER THAT REPAIRED THE LATCH SAID THEY SOLD 3 OR 4 OF THESE EACH MONTH AT A COST OF $179.81 EACH, INCLUDING LABOR. FORD MOTOR COMPANY DID NOT ACCEPT…

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THE TAILGATE LATCH ON THE 2002 FORD RANGER PICKUP BROKE. THE PLASTIC MATERIAL APPEARED TO BE HEAVILY OXIDIZED AND BRITTLE , BASED ON MY MECHANICAL ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE. THE DEALER THAT REPAIRED THE LATCH SAID THEY SOLD 3 OR 4 OF THESE EACH MONTH AT A COST OF $179.81 EACH, INCLUDING LABOR. FORD MOTOR COMPANY DID NOT ACCEPT THAT THEY MADE A MISTAKE IN THE CHOICE OF MATERIALS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10187831

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages

THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR (SUICIDE DOOR) LATCHES AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM. THE BOTTOM LATCH WILL NOT LATCH. AS A RESULT, WHENEVER YOU CLOSE THE REGULAR PASSENGER DOOR IT DOES NOT ALLOW FOR A SECURE LATCH. THE INSIDE LIGHT AND THE IP LIGHT (DOOR AJAR) REMAINS ON UNLESS YOU GO OUTSIDE AND PUSH ON THE DOOR. IF YOU HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD…

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THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR (SUICIDE DOOR) LATCHES AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM. THE BOTTOM LATCH WILL NOT LATCH. AS A RESULT, WHENEVER YOU CLOSE THE REGULAR PASSENGER DOOR IT DOES NOT ALLOW FOR A SECURE LATCH. THE INSIDE LIGHT AND THE IP LIGHT (DOOR AJAR) REMAINS ON UNLESS YOU GO OUTSIDE AND PUSH ON THE DOOR. IF YOU HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE LIGHT CONDITION WILL REAPPEAR. THIS DOOR HAS PROBABLY NOT BEEN USED MORE THAN 25 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK NEW. THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 FORD RANGER SUPERCAB. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10139507

6,643 miles · Feb 27, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train

TRUCK PULLS TO THE RIGHT ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AT TIMES SEVERE VIBRATION AND RUBBING NOISE. SAFETY DEFINETLY AN ISSUE WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE. MORE RECENTLY 4X4 ENGAGED & TRUCK TILTED TO FRONT RIGHT AND MADE LOUD GRINDING NOISE, COULD ONLY DRIVE 5MPH OR SO. PUT IN REVERSE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BUT STIL…

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TRUCK PULLS TO THE RIGHT ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AT TIMES SEVERE VIBRATION AND RUBBING NOISE. SAFETY DEFINETLY AN ISSUE WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE. MORE RECENTLY 4X4 ENGAGED & TRUCK TILTED TO FRONT RIGHT AND MADE LOUD GRINDING NOISE, COULD ONLY DRIVE 5MPH OR SO. PUT IN REVERSE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BUT STILL PULLS, VIBRATES AND IS GETTING WORSE. NOW, A OIL LEAK FOUND. ALSO, ANTI LOCK BRAKES ARE LOCKING UP. FAN MOTOR COOLER NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10059089

36,000 miles · Jul 11, 2003
Exterior LightingLatches/locks/linkagesSteering

THE STEERING WHEEL CONTAINED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PLAY. *JB. THE STEERING FAILED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. PH. THE HEAD LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED, AND THE DOOR LATCHES WERE LUBRICATED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10019530

Official recalls

3

09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Oct 13, 2009

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

07V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Aug 3, 2007

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

02V035000 · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

Feb 4, 2002

ON SOME MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE FX4 PACKAGE, THE REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL CASE COULD FRACTURE UNDER A HIGH TORQUE EVENT SUCH AS WHEN CUSTOMERS ACCELERATE RAPIDLY FROM A STOP OR WHEN A SPINNING TIRE SUDDENLY GAINS TRACTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DIFFERENTIAL FRACTURES COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN WHEEL LOCK-UP.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 29, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.