NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
346 reports44,994 miles · Nov 27, 2011
Suspension
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF AND WAS DRAGGING UNDER THE TRUCK. LOOKING UNDER THE TRUCK I NOTICED LOTS OF ROT? THIS TRUCK IS IN GREAT CONDITION NOT A SPOT OF RUST ON THE BODY BUT THE FRAME IS A ROTTED MESS. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A TEN YEAR OLD TRUCK. P.S IF THE TIRE EVER BROKE AWAY FROM THE T…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF AND WAS DRAGGING UNDER THE TRUCK. LOOKING UNDER THE TRUCK I NOTICED LOTS OF ROT? THIS TRUCK IS IN GREAT CONDITION NOT A SPOT OF RUST ON THE BODY BUT THE FRAME IS A ROTTED MESS. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A TEN YEAR OLD TRUCK. P.S IF THE TIRE EVER BROKE AWAY FROM THE TRUCK COMPLETELY IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10437374
22,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TRYING TO START HIS VEHICLE IT WOULDN'T START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TWO TIMES AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TRYING TO START HIS VEHICLE IT WOULDN'T START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TWO TIMES AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000. UPDATED 09/28/11*LJ THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. UPDATED 10/05/11
NHTSA ODI #10416451
100,000 miles · Jun 30, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL LINES ON THE VEHICLE WERE DRY ROTTEN AND BROKE. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE ALL OF THE FUEL LINES REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10410024
95,696 miles · Jun 29, 2011
Power Train
2002 FORD RANGER, AUTOMATIC, EXTENDED CAB. SLOWING DOWN TO PULL INTO PARKING SPOT AND REAR TIRES LOCK UP, SENDING TRUCK INTO SKID. ONCE STOPPED, CANNOT MOVE TRUCK, EVEN IN NEUTRAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10409295
32,000 miles · Jun 15, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED HE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 A…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED HE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,300.
NHTSA ODI #10406936
100,000 miles · Jun 10, 2011
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CRACKED, CAUSING THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK UP. THE CONTACT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 02V035000 (PO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CRACKED, CAUSING THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK UP. THE CONTACT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 02V035000 (POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT) AND NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT DUE TO THE VIN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE FAILURE DUE TO IT BEING IDENTICAL TO THE FAILURE ADDRESSED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10405913
100,000 miles · Apr 8, 2011
Seat Belts
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
NHTSA ODI #10395305
85,238 miles · Mar 12, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
2002 FORD RANGER XLT, 4.0L, DIFFICULT FUELING TRUCK, GASOLINE JUST SPURTS BACK OUT OF THE REFUELING NOZZLE EVEN ON THE SLOWEST GAS PUMP SETTING, READING SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM, THIS IS ALSO AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE DUE TO ALL THE EXCESS GASOLINE RUNNING OUT OF THE NOZZLE. THE VENTING SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. *…
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2002 FORD RANGER XLT, 4.0L, DIFFICULT FUELING TRUCK, GASOLINE JUST SPURTS BACK OUT OF THE REFUELING NOZZLE EVEN ON THE SLOWEST GAS PUMP SETTING, READING SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM, THIS IS ALSO AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE DUE TO ALL THE EXCESS GASOLINE RUNNING OUT OF THE NOZZLE. THE VENTING SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10389948
92,000 miles · Jan 27, 2011
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER FRAME HAD RUSTED. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE M…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER FRAME HAD RUSTED. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 92,000.
NHTSA ODI #10379299
92,000 miles · Jan 24, 2011
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED AND RUSTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
NHTSA ODI #10378384
Official recalls
3Oct 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.
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.
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 ↗
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