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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

What owners actually said

346 reports
150,000 miles · Feb 28, 2010
Visibility

HEATER CORE STARTED LEAKING WINDOWS FOGGED UP I ALMOST WRECKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314918

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFire

ON 02-21-2010 MY 2002 FORD RANGER STARTED ON FIRE. I WAS RETURNING HOME WITH IN LESS THEN 5MINS MY CAR WAS BURST INTO FLAMES. AFTER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO MY AID THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT OF MY TRUCK. I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD IN 12-2010 AND TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THIS WAS 3 WEEKS BEFORE THE FIRE.…

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ON 02-21-2010 MY 2002 FORD RANGER STARTED ON FIRE. I WAS RETURNING HOME WITH IN LESS THEN 5MINS MY CAR WAS BURST INTO FLAMES. AFTER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO MY AID THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT OF MY TRUCK. I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD IN 12-2010 AND TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THIS WAS 3 WEEKS BEFORE THE FIRE. EVEN WITH THE RECALL MY TRUCK BURST INTO FLAMES LEAVING NOTHING BUT THE FRAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313933

60,000 miles · Feb 8, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I'VE OWNED MY 2002 FORD RANGER SINCE NEW AND HAVE HAD ALL SERVICE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS 60,000 MILES AND WAS SERVICED UNDER A CONTRACT PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE WHEN NEW. ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES STARTED WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP AND HAVE STEADILY WORSENED SINCE. THE COMPLAINT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED…

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I'VE OWNED MY 2002 FORD RANGER SINCE NEW AND HAVE HAD ALL SERVICE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS 60,000 MILES AND WAS SERVICED UNDER A CONTRACT PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE WHEN NEW. ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES STARTED WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP AND HAVE STEADILY WORSENED SINCE. THE COMPLAINT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO VARIOUS DEALERS AT LEAST TEN TIMES WITH NO TROUBLE FOUND. ONE FAILURE MODE I HAVE OBSERVED RESULTED IN THREE VERY CLOSE CALLS WHERE THE BRAKE PEDAL IS FIRM, BUT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT SLOW. PRESSING THE BRAKE HARDER DOES NOT INCREASE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS. IN ONE INSTANCE, I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID (KILLING) A PEDESTRIAN. A SECOND FAILURE MODE IS THE OPPOSITE; A SLIGHT AMOUNT OF PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL RESULTS IN THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKING. A THIRD FAILURE MODE IS WHERE BRAKING RESULTS IN A VIOLENT SHIMMY, WHICH CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL ON SNOWPACK AND SLIDE OFF THE ROAD. NONE OF THESE FAILURE MODES HAS BEEN CONSISTENT, NOR HAVE THEY REPEATED AT THE DEALERSHIP. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND THAT OF THOSE AROUND ME. MY RESEARCH HAS REVEALED MANY FOLKS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES. *CN

NHTSA ODI #10307612

59,825 miles · Jan 17, 2010
Power Train

2002 FORD RANGER O\D LIGHT FLASHES AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD AND INCONSISTENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10300094

80,000 miles · Dec 9, 2009
Power Train

I, AMONG OTHERS OWN A FORD RANGER XLT 4.0 LITER. I RECENTLY REPLACED MY BATTERY AND LOST MY FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. AFTER SOME INVOLVED RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH FELLOW 2001, 2002 RANGERS. FORD'S REFUSAL TO CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ENGINEERING FLAW IS UNSAFE, UNFAIR, AND UNACCEPTABLE. FORD IS MA…

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I, AMONG OTHERS OWN A FORD RANGER XLT 4.0 LITER. I RECENTLY REPLACED MY BATTERY AND LOST MY FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. AFTER SOME INVOLVED RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH FELLOW 2001, 2002 RANGERS. FORD'S REFUSAL TO CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ENGINEERING FLAW IS UNSAFE, UNFAIR, AND UNACCEPTABLE. FORD IS MAKING A FORTUNE FROM THIS UNFORTUNATE SITUATION AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THIS IS CRIMINAL! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295094

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2009
Seat BeltsStructure

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

NHTSA ODI #10293108

60,000 miles · Oct 28, 2009
TiresCrashInjury

BREVARD COUNTY SHERIFF AND FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL VERIFIED THE LEFT REARCOOPER TIRE ON MY '02 FORD PICK-UP TRUCK DELAMINATED CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK ON HWY 95 AND GO AIRBORN AND ROLL OVER THREE (3) TIME, LANDING IN THE MEDIAN STRIP OF HWY 95 IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE, TOTALLY DESTROYING MY TRUCK. I WAS REMOVED F…

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BREVARD COUNTY SHERIFF AND FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL VERIFIED THE LEFT REARCOOPER TIRE ON MY '02 FORD PICK-UP TRUCK DELAMINATED CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK ON HWY 95 AND GO AIRBORN AND ROLL OVER THREE (3) TIME, LANDING IN THE MEDIAN STRIP OF HWY 95 IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE, TOTALLY DESTROYING MY TRUCK. I WAS REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK WITH JAWS OF LIFE, TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. MY INJURIES WERE CONSIDERED MINOR, TREATED AND MANAGED IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM AT AN AREA HOSPITAL. FOLLOW UP CARE WITH VERO BEACH, FL PHYSICIANS FOLLOWED. THE DELAMINATION OF THE COOPER TIRE WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TIRE. TIRE SIZE WAS 31" X 10.5 , TIRE LINE: OWL ALL TERRAIN TIRES; VEHICLE INFO: FORD RANGER 2002 PICK-UP TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290162

91,000 miles · Oct 27, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE ACCELERATING OR ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE THE ENGINE STARTS TO CUT OFF LIKE IT IS STARVING FOR FUEL. STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO AND CONTINUES TO THIS DATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290035

45,029 miles · Oct 27, 2009
Seats

I WAS BACKING MY 2002 FORD RANGER XLT INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I STOPPED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BACK GAVE WAY WITHOUT WARNING AND I SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF THE CAB. WHEN I LOOKED AROUND THE SEAT I SAW TWO BOLT HEADS ...THEY APPEARED TO BE SHEARED OFF. MY SEAT BACK WILL NOT STAY OR LATCH ANY MORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290034

146,000 miles · Oct 14, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVER HEAT AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF; HOWEVER, AS SOON AS HE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVER HEAT AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF; HOWEVER, AS SOON AS HE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

NHTSA ODI #10287408

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.