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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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38,000 miles · Jan 31, 2004
Air BagsEquipmentPower Train

I PURCHASED A 2002 RANGER EDGE 4X4 , IT HAD 4 MILES ON IT. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE AIRBAG SENSOR, ABS SENSOR, FRONT END HAD TOBE REALIGNED DUE TO A BAD ALIGNMENT AT THE FACTORY,THE TIRES IN THE FRONT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 4500 MILES. NOW AT 38000 MILES THE 4X4 DRIVETRAIN WAS LEAKING AT THE FRONT COVER. THE BREATHING TUBE WAS…

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I PURCHASED A 2002 RANGER EDGE 4X4 , IT HAD 4 MILES ON IT. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE AIRBAG SENSOR, ABS SENSOR, FRONT END HAD TOBE REALIGNED DUE TO A BAD ALIGNMENT AT THE FACTORY,THE TIRES IN THE FRONT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 4500 MILES. NOW AT 38000 MILES THE 4X4 DRIVETRAIN WAS LEAKING AT THE FRONT COVER. THE BREATHING TUBE WAS THROWING OIL OUT ONTO THE ENGINE . I WAS TOLD BY FORD COMPANY AND A FORD TECH. THAT THIS WAS A E4NGINNERING PROBLEM. IT WAS REPLACED AT MY COST OF 796.00. THE COVER WAS REPLACED WITH A PART THAT WAS USED PREVIOUS TO 1995, PART NUMBER IS FOF6TZ-4033-BA. MY COMPLAINT IS WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL AND CAN I EXPECT FUTURE PROBLEMS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10056218

1,000 miles · Jan 3, 2004
Power Train

SLIGHT JERKING COMING FROM DRIVE TRAIN WHEN LIGHTLY ACCELERATING AND BRAKING. DEALER REPLACED DRIVESHAFT IN AUG. 2002, PROBLEM WENT AWAY TEMPORARILY, CAME BACK AND RETURNED TO DEALER. WAS TOLD THERE IS NO REPAIR AVAILABLE. CALLED FORD MOTOR TO COMPLAIN AND GOT NO SATISFACTION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10051566

21,000 miles · Dec 11, 2003
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

VEHICLE LOCKED UP IN SECOND AND THIRD GEARS. THIS CAUSED THE REAR BRAKES TO LOCK UP. AS A RESULT, DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A FENCE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10050443

14,500 miles · Dec 10, 2003
Power Train

THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING LEAKED FLUID. A RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10050369

28,866 miles · Nov 6, 2003
EquipmentPower Train

BUZZ FROM FRONT WHILE GOING SLOW/ THUMP/CLICKING NOISE FROM UNDER TRUCK IT'S BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES,THUMP FEELING WHEN TACKING OFF. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10045619

51,000 miles · Sep 8, 2003
Power Train

REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION IN A 2002 FORD EDGE RANGER. THIS TRANSMISSION WENT BAD WITH NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM UNTIL THE DAY OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD 51000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF FAILURE AND THE TRUCK WAS MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURERS SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER WHERE THE REPAIR/ REPLACEMENT…

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REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION IN A 2002 FORD EDGE RANGER. THIS TRANSMISSION WENT BAD WITH NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM UNTIL THE DAY OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD 51000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF FAILURE AND THE TRUCK WAS MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURERS SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER WHERE THE REPAIR/ REPLACEMENT WAS MADE, THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD BEEN SEIZING FOR SOME TIME THROWING SHRAPNEL INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENTIRE UNIT NEEDED REPLACING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10037432

15,000 miles · Jul 18, 2003
Power Train

I TOOK MY 1 YEAR AND 2 MONTH OLD RANGER TO THE DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT A PROBLEM I HAD BEEN HAVING WITH IT NOT GOING INTO GEAR. THE CONDESCENDING MAN AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME AFTER A 5 MINUTE LOOK AT MY TRUCK THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE MY CLUTCH REPLACED, AND THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 2 MONTHS. IN CALLING AROUND TO GET PRICES O…

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I TOOK MY 1 YEAR AND 2 MONTH OLD RANGER TO THE DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT A PROBLEM I HAD BEEN HAVING WITH IT NOT GOING INTO GEAR. THE CONDESCENDING MAN AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME AFTER A 5 MINUTE LOOK AT MY TRUCK THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE MY CLUTCH REPLACED, AND THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 2 MONTHS. IN CALLING AROUND TO GET PRICES ON THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CLUTCH, I WAS ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY TOLD THAT IT WAS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE A CLUTCH GO OUT IN A VEHICLE IN THAT SHORT OF A TIME PERIOD, WHEN IT HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED, WHICH MINE HAS NOT. IN RESEARCHING THIS, I HAVE FOUND THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH ON THE 2002 FORD RANGER 3.0. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10028569

52,000 miles · Jun 11, 2003
Power Train

CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER FAILED ON A 16 MONTH OLD FORD RANGER 5 SPEED, 4 CYLINDER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10021435

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2003
Power Train

WHILE SHIFTING AND DECELERATING THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE. THE DEALER DENIED ANY PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10016066

1,066 miles · Mar 16, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingInterior Lighting

I AM HAVING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH MY 6 MONTH OLD TRUCK. A STRANGE OIL LOSS THAT WAS LOOSING 1-2 QUARTS OF OIL A WEEK, NOW FIXED FOR THE MOMENT. THE CLUTCH DISENGAGES IF ANY PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND WILL NOT ENGAGE UNTIL THE PEDAL IS FULLY RELEASED, DEALER CLAIMS ITS NORMAL. VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH TH…

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I AM HAVING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH MY 6 MONTH OLD TRUCK. A STRANGE OIL LOSS THAT WAS LOOSING 1-2 QUARTS OF OIL A WEEK, NOW FIXED FOR THE MOMENT. THE CLUTCH DISENGAGES IF ANY PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND WILL NOT ENGAGE UNTIL THE PEDAL IS FULLY RELEASED, DEALER CLAIMS ITS NORMAL. VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS HEAP, INCLUDING FAILING SENSORS, INTERIOR LIGHT COMING ON WHEN IT WANTS TO, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON OCCASIONALLY. THIS TRUCK HAS STARTING PROBLEMS SOMETIMES, YOU HAVE TO CRANK THE ENGINE FOR A LONG TIME(UP TO 30 SECONDS SOMETIMES) BEFORE IT WILL START. HAD TO HAVE A TIRE REPLACED WITH 1066 MILES ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SOME OF THE TREAD WAS BEGINNING TO COME OFF, VEHICLE WAS REALIGNED AT THE SAME TIME TO CURE A PULL TO THE RIGHT WHICH DID NOTHING STILL PULLS TO THE RIGHT. I HAVE TRIED TO GET IN CONTACT OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO GET THIS VEHICLE REPLACED UNDER A LEMON LAW TO NO AVAIL. I GET TOLD A STORY AND PUT OFF, THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THIS THING FROM DOES THE SAME THING TRIES TO FIX IT TO NO AVAIL AND PUTS ME OFF. I PAID 15 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THIS TRUCK AND NOW MAY LOSE MY JOB BECAUSE IT IS NOT DEPENDABLE! SOMETHING MUST BE DONE THIS IS NOT HOW TO TREAT A REPEAT CUSTOMER, THIS BEING MY 4TH FORD PRODUCT AND MY LAST. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10010558

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.