VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 30/35 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES.*AK
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
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.
Air Bags complaints
37 reportsWHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP.*AK *NLM *JB
AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT REMAINED ON. THE DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON. *AK THE DEALER INSTALLED NEW WIPER BLADES. *JB
MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT WHEN HE DROVE INTO A SANDY DITCH WHILE AVOIDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. HE HIT A SAND HILL HEAD ON, AT APPROX 25 MPH. THE RANGER/EDGE WAS TOTALLED, NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPOLYED. THE BODY SHOP LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THERE ARE NO AIR BAG SENSORS, OR AIR…
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MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT WHEN HE DROVE INTO A SANDY DITCH WHILE AVOIDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. HE HIT A SAND HILL HEAD ON, AT APPROX 25 MPH. THE RANGER/EDGE WAS TOTALLED, NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPOLYED. THE BODY SHOP LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THERE ARE NO AIR BAG SENSORS, OR AIR BAG HARNESSES FOR THE SENDORS LOCATED IN THE FRONT PORTION OF THE TRUCK. THE SHOP CALLED FORD AND REQUESTED A DIAGRAM OF WHERE THE SENSORS AND WIRING SHOULD BE. USING THE FORD DIAGRAM IT IS OBVIOUS THERE WERE NO SENSORS OR WIRING. I AM WONDERING HOW MANY OTHER FORD RANGERS / EDGES ARE OUT THERE WITH NO SENSORS AT THE FRONT BUMPER. CONTACTED KEN GRODY FORD AND TALKED WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO DID NOT APPEAR CONCERNED. HE DIRECTED ME TO THE FORD COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT. *AK
LABOR DAY 2002 MY 2002 FORD RANGER 2.3 LET ME DOWN. APPROX. 4000 MILE ON IT LEAVING SEQUIM WASHINGTON ON HWY 101 GOING TO PORT ANGELES WASHINGTON, I WAS TRAVELING 55 MILES HOUR. ALL A SUDDEN I SMELT GAS, THEN MY RANGER STARTED TO SPEW OUT LOTS OF BLACK SMOKE. THE MOTOR QUIT AND I PULLED OFF THI HWY. IT WON'T STATR UP. CALLED…
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LABOR DAY 2002 MY 2002 FORD RANGER 2.3 LET ME DOWN. APPROX. 4000 MILE ON IT LEAVING SEQUIM WASHINGTON ON HWY 101 GOING TO PORT ANGELES WASHINGTON, I WAS TRAVELING 55 MILES HOUR. ALL A SUDDEN I SMELT GAS, THEN MY RANGER STARTED TO SPEW OUT LOTS OF BLACK SMOKE. THE MOTOR QUIT AND I PULLED OFF THI HWY. IT WON'T STATR UP. CALLED THE DEALER, THEY WERE JUST CLOSING UP TIME 4:30 PM LABOR DAY I SOPKE TO A SALEMAN, SERVIDE DEPT NOT WORKING, NO ONE TO HELP ME. I TOLD THE SALESMAN I WOULD GO BACK AND TRY TO START IT, IF I GOT IT STSRTID I WOULD TAKE IT HOME. NO HELP THE RANGER WAS INSURED. I WENT BACK, AFTER A FEW TIMES I GOT IT STARTED. BLACK SMOKE WAW COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. I REVERED THE ENGINE UP AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME IN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR MAINTANING 35 TO 40 MILES AN HOUR. GOPT UP THE NEX MORNING THE RANGER WOULD NOT START TILL I TRIED IT SEVERAL TIMES. IT DID START AND RAN PRETTY GOOG BUT WITH IGNITION TROUBLES. TRAVELING, MOTOR RUNNING 1800 TO 2800 RPM IN 5TH GEAR RANGER FELT LIKE IT WOULD SHIFT UP AND DOUN. TIMING WAS CHANING. SOME TIME ENGINE WOUL SHUT DOWN THEN COME BACK ON. FORD DEALER CAN'T FINED ANY THING WRONG. APPROX 16000 MILES LATER I TOOK RANGER TO A GARAGE. THERE COMPUTER SHOWED THE ENGINE WOUD DROP TWO CLYNDERS NOW AND THEN. SHUT DOWN AND RIGHT BACK ON. TOOK IGNITION PRINT OUT TO FORD DEALER, THEY STILL SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG.
OFF ROADING IN A 2002 FORD RANGER 4X4 EQUIPED WITH THE OFF-ROAD PACKAGE. WAS GOING OVER TERRAIN AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE APPROX. SPEED AT THE TIME TIME WAS LESS THAN 20/MPH. I WAS IN 4X4 LOW SO HIGH SPEEDS WERE NOT POSSIBLE. UPON ENTERING THE TERRAIN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO FRONT END DAMAGE OR ANY COLLISON. …
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OFF ROADING IN A 2002 FORD RANGER 4X4 EQUIPED WITH THE OFF-ROAD PACKAGE. WAS GOING OVER TERRAIN AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE APPROX. SPEED AT THE TIME TIME WAS LESS THAN 20/MPH. I WAS IN 4X4 LOW SO HIGH SPEEDS WERE NOT POSSIBLE. UPON ENTERING THE TERRAIN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO FRONT END DAMAGE OR ANY COLLISON. REDLANDS FORD THE DEALER, ORDERED AND INSPECTION FROM FORD. TO DATE NEITHER REDLANDS FORD OR CORPORATE FORD HAD PROVIDED WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION OF THE INSPECTION OR ANY RESULTS FROM THE INSPECTION. ONLY SAYING THAT THE AIRBAGS OPERATED WITHIN PARAMETERS.
MY HUSBAND DRIVES A 2002 FORD RANGER TRUCK.. HE WAS IN A ACCIDENT ON 3/05/03 WHEN A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF HIS TRUCK HE WAS GOING APPROX. 35 TO 40 MPH, HE HIT HER CAR HARD ENOUGH TO FLIP HER CAR ON IT'S SIDE. MY COMPLAINT/CONCERN IS HIS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, HE DID HAVE ON A SEAT BELT AND ONLY SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.…
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MY HUSBAND DRIVES A 2002 FORD RANGER TRUCK.. HE WAS IN A ACCIDENT ON 3/05/03 WHEN A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF HIS TRUCK HE WAS GOING APPROX. 35 TO 40 MPH, HE HIT HER CAR HARD ENOUGH TO FLIP HER CAR ON IT'S SIDE. MY COMPLAINT/CONCERN IS HIS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, HE DID HAVE ON A SEAT BELT AND ONLY SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. MY CONCERN IS IF THIS HAD BEEN A MORE SERIOUS ACCIDENT IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING. MY HUSBAND VOICED HIS CONCERNS WITH THE FORD SERVICE AND REQUESTED THAT THEY EVALUATE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM, THE TECHNICIAN CLAIMS SINCE THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT HEAD ON OR FULL FRONTAL HIT THAT THIS IS WHY IT DID NOT DEPLOY. AM UNABLE TO FIND INFO REGARDING THIS, SO WHY DID IT NOT DEPLOY. IS THIS A DEFECT OR NORMAL. *NLM
AIR BAG LIGHT BECOME INOPERABLE DISTRACTING THE DRIVER. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT CAUSING INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *JG *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.
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