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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.

About this comparison →

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

Power Train complaints

61 reports
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75,000 miles · May 7, 2008
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SHIFT PROBLEMS ON 2002 FORD RANGER. DELAYED SHIFTS; ROUGH SHIFTS; OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKS INDICATING TRANSMISSION FAULT; SERVO COVER BLOWN OFF ALLOWING TRANSMISSION FLUID LOSS - INOPERATIVE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10226961

66,680 miles · Feb 11, 2008
Power Train

I HAVE A 2002 FORD RANGER THAT WHEN I GOT THE TRUCK IT HAD TO HAVE THE SLAVE CYLINDER FOR THE CLUTCH REPLACED WHICH THE DEALER DID, AND THE TRUCK ONLY HAD 18,000 MILES, BUT THEN AGAIN BEFORE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY RAN OUT, IT WENT OUT AGAIN AT ABOUT 52000 MILES, AND NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN, AT 66,000 MILES, THE SLAVE CYLINDER AG…

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I HAVE A 2002 FORD RANGER THAT WHEN I GOT THE TRUCK IT HAD TO HAVE THE SLAVE CYLINDER FOR THE CLUTCH REPLACED WHICH THE DEALER DID, AND THE TRUCK ONLY HAD 18,000 MILES, BUT THEN AGAIN BEFORE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY RAN OUT, IT WENT OUT AGAIN AT ABOUT 52000 MILES, AND NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN, AT 66,000 MILES, THE SLAVE CYLINDER AGAIN FOR THE CLUTCH, AND I AM NOT NEW TO DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, I AM 47 AND LEARNED TO DRIVE ON A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHEN 16, IT ALSO UPSETS ME THAT FORD SAID MY EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE SECOND REPAIR DID NOT COVER THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER, AND I DO NOT BELIEVE A VEHICLE SHOULD REQUIRE THIS PART TO BE REPLACED APPROXIMATELY EVERY TWENTY OR THIRTY THOUSAND MILES. I ALSO BELIEVE SINCE I PURCHASED A MANUAL WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED, MY SON ALSO HAS A 2000 FORD RANGER AND HE RECENTLY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND WE BOTH HAVE THE V6 WITH 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10217748

90,125 miles · Jan 24, 2008
Power Train

TRUCK STILL NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY AFTER COMPLETE OVERHAUL BY FORD ON 5/22/04 ( COMPLAINT ODI NO. 10215891). FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT ROAD TEST TRUCK AND VERIFIED PROBLEM. CALLED HOTLINE (5LSB2012) R&R TO OVERHAUL, FOUND STICKING VALVE IN MAIN CONTROL(7A100), RESEALED TRANS.,REPLACED MAIN CONTROL AND TORQUE CONVERTER,FLUSHED COOLE…

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TRUCK STILL NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY AFTER COMPLETE OVERHAUL BY FORD ON 5/22/04 ( COMPLAINT ODI NO. 10215891). FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT ROAD TEST TRUCK AND VERIFIED PROBLEM. CALLED HOTLINE (5LSB2012) R&R TO OVERHAUL, FOUND STICKING VALVE IN MAIN CONTROL(7A100), RESEALED TRANS.,REPLACED MAIN CONTROL AND TORQUE CONVERTER,FLUSHED COOLER LINES. BUT I RETURNED THE TRUCK COMPLAINING THAT THERE WAS A GRINDING WINING NOISE AND STILL NOT SHIFTING RIGHT. SERVICE MANAGER ROAD TESTED AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WORK WAS PERFORMED AT 60,206 MILES AND NOW AT 90,125 MILES I CAN'T DRIVE THE TRUCK BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION S BROKEN AGAIN. THE PROBLEM IS HE TRANSMISSION WAS NEVER FIXED PROPERLY AT THE FIRST OVER HAUL OR THE SECOND TIME IT WAS OVERHAULED BY FORD. NOW I HAVE A TRUCK WITH A TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED TWICE BY FORE AND NEEDS OVERHAULED AGAIN. NOW FORD INFORMED ME THAT THE WARRANTY IS OUT AND THEY CAN NOT HELP ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215917

111,000 miles · Jan 3, 2008
Power Train

1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: NORMAL EVERYDAY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION VIA HIGHWAY AND SURFACE STREETS. 2)FAILURE AND CONSEQUENCES: THE REAR LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL UNIT OF MY 2002 FORD RANGER FX4 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLE BROKE CAUSING THE TRUCK TO STOP ABRUPTLY NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE REAR LIMITED SLIP …

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1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: NORMAL EVERYDAY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION VIA HIGHWAY AND SURFACE STREETS. 2)FAILURE AND CONSEQUENCES: THE REAR LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL UNIT OF MY 2002 FORD RANGER FX4 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLE BROKE CAUSING THE TRUCK TO STOP ABRUPTLY NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE REAR LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL UNIT EXPLODED CAUSING THE GEARS TO BREAK AND STOP THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVING. I HAD CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER (TORSEN) OF THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT AND STATED THE UNIT I HAD WAS RECALLED ACCORDING TO THE SERIAL NUMBER. FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEGELANTLY DID NOT RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THE RECALLED DIFFERENTIAL UNITS. 3) THE TRUCK'S REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT AND GEAR WAS REPLACED WITH OEM RING AND PINION GEARS, BEARINGS AND SIMILAR TYPE LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL UNIT FROM A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER (DETROIT TRUETRAC) FROM WHICH WAS ORGINALLY INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. COST $1,400.00.*CN

NHTSA ODI #10213587

35,000 miles · Oct 30, 2007
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING AND CLUNKING NOISE. HE ALSO NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CASE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING AND CLUNKING NOISE. HE ALSO NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CASE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V035000 (POWER TRAIN: DRIVELINE: DIFFERENTIAL UNIT). THE CONTACT FELT THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10207394

50,000 miles · Nov 6, 2006
Power Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THE REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL COULD BE CHANGED AT A CHARGE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THIS WAS A DEFECT. UPDATED 11/30/2006 - WHILE DRIVING THE REAR OF THE TRUCK SHOOK PROFUSELY. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THE REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL COULD BE CHANGED AT A CHARGE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THIS WAS A DEFECT. UPDATED 11/30/2006 - WHILE DRIVING THE REAR OF THE TRUCK SHOOK PROFUSELY. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY DETERMINED THAT THE REAR AXLES WERE CRACKED AND THE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO ADMITTED THERE WAS A RECALL BUT STATED THAT IT HAD EXPIRED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP EXPLAINED THAT THE RECALL HADN'T EXPIRED IT JUST DIDN'T EXIST FOR THE CONSUMER'S RANGER. THE SERVICE REP WHEN ON TO TELL THE CONSUMER THAT THE RECALL WAS FIR 2002 RANGER 4X4 WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10172782

65,000 miles · Oct 16, 2006
Power Train

2002 FORD RANGER FX4- AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE HAD APPROX. 65K MILES AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. DROVE VEHICLE NORMALLY, STARTED NOTICING "CLUNKING" SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED AS A CRACKED REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT THAT WAS VERY CLOSE TO CAUSING AXLE TO LOCK UP. PARTS REPLACED BY MY MECHANIC AT THE COST …

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2002 FORD RANGER FX4- AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE HAD APPROX. 65K MILES AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. DROVE VEHICLE NORMALLY, STARTED NOTICING "CLUNKING" SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED AS A CRACKED REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT THAT WAS VERY CLOSE TO CAUSING AXLE TO LOCK UP. PARTS REPLACED BY MY MECHANIC AT THE COST OF APPROX. $1500. SOUNDS VERY SIMILAR TO RECALL #02V035000 CONCERNING MANUAL TRANSMISSION VERSION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10170997

Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2006
Power Train

ROUGH OR DELAYED SHIFT 2ND TO 3RD, 3RD TO 4TH. BEEN TO DEALER AND CHARGED 800.00 FOR UPDATED VALVE BODY. NO BETTER. INDEPENDENT SHOP SHOWED ME A SEAL THAT FAILS ON MANY RANGERS CAUSING SAME PROBLEM. VIBRATION AT 65-70 AND GRINDING SOUND WHEN ACCELERATING HARD FROM STOP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10160014

43,000 miles · Mar 30, 2006
Power Train

AUTO TRANSMISSION ON 2002 FORD RANGER EDGE WITH 43000 MILES FAILED DUE TO TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. VEHICLE NOT USED FOR TOWING OR HAULING. REQUIRED COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF TRANSMISSION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10154152

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2006
Power Train

02 RANGER 4X4. FORD IS USING JUCKY VALVE BODY ON THERE AUTO TRANSMISSION!!! THIS PROBLEM MAKE THE TRANSMISSION SLIP & SLOW SHIFT. ON THE RANGER STATION THIS IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM ON RANGER& A BIG ONE ON EXPLORER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10152351

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.