IllustrationTHE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOES NOT LOCK, AND AS A RESULT IT'S CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO GO OFF AND IT FLASHES CODE NUMBER 46 AS FOR THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ranger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
510–25K
4925–50K
3750–75K
2875–100K
36100–150K
19150K+
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
Seat Belts complaints
16 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 6/11/15*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE PROPER SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO SAFELY SECURE A CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE CHILD SEAT MANUFACTURER NOTED IN THE WARNING SECTION OF THE OWNERS MANUAL THAT THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT CAN NOT BE SECURE UTILIZING THE DOOR MOUNTED SEAT BELTS.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE PROPER SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO SAFELY SECURE A CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE CHILD SEAT MANUFACTURER NOTED IN THE WARNING SECTION OF THE OWNERS MANUAL THAT THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT CAN NOT BE SECURE UTILIZING THE DOOR MOUNTED SEAT BELTS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ANCHOR TO ACCOMMODATE THE LATCH SYSTEM COULD BE RETRO FITTED IN ORDER TO PROPERLY SECURE THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE THE PARTS THAT WOULD ALLOW THE LATCH SYSTEM TO BE RETRO FITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT INSTALLED THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,500.
THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT RETRACT THE BELT MORE THAN A FEW INCHES. THE REMAINING BELT FALLS ONTO THE DOOR OPENING AND GETS PINCHED WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. THIS DAMAGES THE BELT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT WOULD UNLATCH ERRONEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING AND COULD NOT BE PROPERLY LATCHED AFTER TRYING TO SECURE IT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT WOULD UNLATCH ERRONEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING AND COULD NOT BE PROPERLY LATCHED AFTER TRYING TO SECURE IT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
DRIVERS SEAT BELT RELEASES ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENS AT LEAST 5-6 TIMES WHILE DRIVING. CAN HAPPEN RIGHT AFTER ENGAGING OR ANY TIME AFTER ENGAGING. DOES NOT MATTER IF DRIVING ON SMOOTH OR BUMPY ROADS, IT WILL POP OFF. IT HAPPENS EVERYTIME I DRIVE. HAVE ALMOST BEEN INJURED FROM HAVING TO STOP FAST AND WAS NOT HELD IN THE …
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DRIVERS SEAT BELT RELEASES ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENS AT LEAST 5-6 TIMES WHILE DRIVING. CAN HAPPEN RIGHT AFTER ENGAGING OR ANY TIME AFTER ENGAGING. DOES NOT MATTER IF DRIVING ON SMOOTH OR BUMPY ROADS, IT WILL POP OFF. IT HAPPENS EVERYTIME I DRIVE. HAVE ALMOST BEEN INJURED FROM HAVING TO STOP FAST AND WAS NOT HELD IN THE SEAT BECAUSE IT CAME LOOSE. PART IS GOING TO BE REPLACED WHEN I CAN GET ONE. *TR
2002 FORD RANGER, SEAT BELT COME UNDONE WHILE DRIVING. EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR, IT COMES UNDONE AT LEASED 5 TIMES A DAY WHILE DRIVING EVERY DAY SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. WENT TO FORD AND THEY WOULDN'T EVEN LOOK AT IT. JUST TOLD ME TO BUY A NEW ONE....WHICH I COULDN'T AFFORD, ALSO THE PLASTIC HANDLE ON THE TAILGATE BREA…
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2002 FORD RANGER, SEAT BELT COME UNDONE WHILE DRIVING. EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR, IT COMES UNDONE AT LEASED 5 TIMES A DAY WHILE DRIVING EVERY DAY SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. WENT TO FORD AND THEY WOULDN'T EVEN LOOK AT IT. JUST TOLD ME TO BUY A NEW ONE....WHICH I COULDN'T AFFORD, ALSO THE PLASTIC HANDLE ON THE TAILGATE BREAKS OFF EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS, AND I HAVE TO REPLACE IT. *TR
SEAT BELT NEVER STAYS CONNECTED ( POPS OUT) ALL SPEEDS. (5 YRS) I ASKED DEALER ABOUT FIXING HE SAID MY WARRANTY EXPIRED BUY A NEW ONE (FORD DOES NOT CARE ABOUT SAFETY AFTER WARRANTY DATE) THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL STAY ON FOR A WEEK THEN OFF FOR A MONTH THEN REPEAT ( 5 YRS) DOOR AJAR LIGHT HAS NEVER TURNED OFF (MAYBE IT WILL BURN …
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SEAT BELT NEVER STAYS CONNECTED ( POPS OUT) ALL SPEEDS. (5 YRS) I ASKED DEALER ABOUT FIXING HE SAID MY WARRANTY EXPIRED BUY A NEW ONE (FORD DOES NOT CARE ABOUT SAFETY AFTER WARRANTY DATE) THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL STAY ON FOR A WEEK THEN OFF FOR A MONTH THEN REPEAT ( 5 YRS) DOOR AJAR LIGHT HAS NEVER TURNED OFF (MAYBE IT WILL BURN OUT SO I DON'T SEE IT ANYMORE) TAILGATE LATCH REPLACED 3 TIMES ( DANG THAT CHEAP PLASTIC) FRONT END REALIGNED NUMEROUS TIMES (ANTI NASCAR, ALWAYS TURNS RIGHT) ENGINE SHUDDERS BAD FEW TIMES A YEAR(BAD GAS MAYBE ONCE, OTHERS PROBABLY NOT) COIL PACK REPLACED TWICE (IM STILL UNDER 60,000 MILES) REAR WINDOW LEAKS ALSO :) *TR
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WON'T STAY BUCKLED. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE. *JB
AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE GOING ABOUT 60 MPH, MY SEAT BELT (DRIVER'S SIDE) CAME UNBUCKLED. AS I ATTEMPTED TO BUCKLE IT AGAIN, I WAS UNABLE TO GET IT TO STAY BUCKLED. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL CAR DEALER WHO ASKED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR THEM TO INSPECT. UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK, I WAS …
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AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE GOING ABOUT 60 MPH, MY SEAT BELT (DRIVER'S SIDE) CAME UNBUCKLED. AS I ATTEMPTED TO BUCKLE IT AGAIN, I WAS UNABLE TO GET IT TO STAY BUCKLED. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL CAR DEALER WHO ASKED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR THEM TO INSPECT. UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK, I WAS INFORMED OF THE NEED TO HAVE THE SEAT BELT CONNECTOR UNIT REPLACED. THIS WAS DONE THE NEXT DAY, AND I HAVE RETAINED THE REPLACED PART. *JB
Official recalls
309V399000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.