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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
1 miles · Oct 26, 2007
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingSeat Belts

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

NHTSA ODI #10207043

43,000 miles · Oct 18, 2007
Vehicle Speed ControlFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007, THE CONTACT'S NEIGHBOR INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED FORD TO HAVE HIS VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE; HOWEVER, THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE C…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007, THE CONTACT'S NEIGHBOR INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED FORD TO HAVE HIS VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE; HOWEVER, THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 43,000.

NHTSA ODI #10206223

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2007
Electrical System

FAILURE TO PERFORM SAFETY RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10203159

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE DEALER STATED THE PARTS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL OCTOBER DUE TO THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE.

NHTSA ODI #10199925

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE POTENTIAL OF AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IN HIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2007. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CANNOT GUARAN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE POTENTIAL OF AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IN HIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2007. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT THERE WILL NOT BE ANY LEAKAGE, WHICH POSES THE THREAT OF AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. THE FAILURE COULD OCCUR WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OR IN MOTION. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,700.

NHTSA ODI #10199712

59,000 miles · Jun 29, 2007
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE REAR AXLE FLUID. THE REAR AXLE WAS REPLACED AND NO OTHER FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 61,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE REAR AXLE FLUID. THE REAR AXLE WAS REPLACED AND NO OTHER FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 61,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ODI #10194965

37,000 miles · May 4, 2007
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AROUND 20 MPH THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE WAS ALSO HEARD WHILE MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD EXCESSIVE PRY AND COULD POSSIBLY SEPARATE. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AT T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AROUND 20 MPH THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE WAS ALSO HEARD WHILE MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD EXCESSIVE PRY AND COULD POSSIBLY SEPARATE. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FAILURES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44000.

NHTSA ODI #10189786

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages

THE TAILGATE LATCH ON THE 2002 FORD RANGER PICKUP BROKE. THE PLASTIC MATERIAL APPEARED TO BE HEAVILY OXIDIZED AND BRITTLE , BASED ON MY MECHANICAL ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE. THE DEALER THAT REPAIRED THE LATCH SAID THEY SOLD 3 OR 4 OF THESE EACH MONTH AT A COST OF $179.81 EACH, INCLUDING LABOR. FORD MOTOR COMPANY DID NOT ACCEPT…

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THE TAILGATE LATCH ON THE 2002 FORD RANGER PICKUP BROKE. THE PLASTIC MATERIAL APPEARED TO BE HEAVILY OXIDIZED AND BRITTLE , BASED ON MY MECHANICAL ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE. THE DEALER THAT REPAIRED THE LATCH SAID THEY SOLD 3 OR 4 OF THESE EACH MONTH AT A COST OF $179.81 EACH, INCLUDING LABOR. FORD MOTOR COMPANY DID NOT ACCEPT THAT THEY MADE A MISTAKE IN THE CHOICE OF MATERIALS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10187831

69,225 miles · Mar 15, 2007
Seat Belts

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WON'T STAY BUCKLED. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10185199

22,636 miles · Feb 13, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

ON FEBRUARY 1, 2007, I WAS SLOWLY FOLLOWING AN SUV IN A CROWDED PARKING LOT AS WE BOTH LOOKED FOR A PARKING SPOT. THE SUV STOPPED. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEN SUDDENLY MY 2002 FORD RANGER ACCELERATED. THE TIRES SQUEALED AS THE BRAKES FOUGHT THE ACCELERATION. I HIT THE SUV FROM BEHIND. THE SUV PULLED FORWARD AND THE RANGER …

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ON FEBRUARY 1, 2007, I WAS SLOWLY FOLLOWING AN SUV IN A CROWDED PARKING LOT AS WE BOTH LOOKED FOR A PARKING SPOT. THE SUV STOPPED. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEN SUDDENLY MY 2002 FORD RANGER ACCELERATED. THE TIRES SQUEALED AS THE BRAKES FOUGHT THE ACCELERATION. I HIT THE SUV FROM BEHIND. THE SUV PULLED FORWARD AND THE RANGER CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AN HIT THE SUV AGAIN. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE RANGER WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. WHEN THE BODY WORK IS COMPLETE I WILL HAVE THE RANGER TOWED TO A FORD DEALER TO ADDRESS THE SUDDEN, UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10182502

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.