Illustration2002 FORD RANGER STALLED. *BF THE DRIVE SHAFT JERKED AND SLAMMED WHEN ACCELERATING IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED BUT THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *NM
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
Power Train complaints
61 reportsNHTSA CAMPAIGN 02V035000; FORD ISSUED AN REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL CASE RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT HAS A BENT AXLE IN WHICH IT COULD BREAK. THE VIN IS OUTSIDE THE REMEDY SCOPE. *NM *NM
CORRECTION TO MY ORIGINAL COPMPLAINT MY 2002 RANGER REAR TIRES GOT STUCK IN A LIL SNOW ON THE STREET AND AS THEY HIT PAVMENT WHILE MOVING FOWARD I HEARD A POP FROM THE REAR THEN HEARD A FEW MORE WHILE TURNING CORNERS AND HAD A REAR END LOCK UP. TOOK TO DEALER ON FLAT BED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER HAD SNA…
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CORRECTION TO MY ORIGINAL COPMPLAINT MY 2002 RANGER REAR TIRES GOT STUCK IN A LIL SNOW ON THE STREET AND AS THEY HIT PAVMENT WHILE MOVING FOWARD I HEARD A POP FROM THE REAR THEN HEARD A FEW MORE WHILE TURNING CORNERS AND HAD A REAR END LOCK UP. TOOK TO DEALER ON FLAT BED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER HAD SNAPPED (REAR AXLE HOUSING) AND THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. REAR AXLE HOUSINGS DO NOT BREAK LIKE THIS AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2002 FX4 MANUAL TRANS RANGERS FOR THIS SAME REASON AND FEEL THE AUTOS NEED TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR HURT. CONSEQUENCE IS REAR END LOCKUP.*AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE GOT STUCK IN THE SNOW. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE SNOW WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A LOUD POP NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO MOVE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR CHECK UP, AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
A LOUD KNOCKING AND GRINDING NOISE WAS HEAD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED DETERMINED THAT FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AXLES/TIRES, AND OTHER PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
(1) GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT TRANSFER CASE ON 4X4 DRIVETRAIN, NOTICEABLE AT 30 TO 40 MPH..PRECENT AT ALL SPEEDS MORE APPARENT AT SPEEDS DESCRIBED, AT HIGH SPEEDS 40 TO 80MPH GRINDING NOISE MASKED BY WIND/ROAD NOISE. NOISE STARTED AT UNDER 20000 MILES ON VEHICLE, VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 27K MILES AND GRINDING/NOISE IS MORE …
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(1) GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT TRANSFER CASE ON 4X4 DRIVETRAIN, NOTICEABLE AT 30 TO 40 MPH..PRECENT AT ALL SPEEDS MORE APPARENT AT SPEEDS DESCRIBED, AT HIGH SPEEDS 40 TO 80MPH GRINDING NOISE MASKED BY WIND/ROAD NOISE. NOISE STARTED AT UNDER 20000 MILES ON VEHICLE, VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 27K MILES AND GRINDING/NOISE IS MORE PRONOUNCED. (2) NO APPARENT COMPONENT FAILURE YET, SEVERAL RANGER 4X4 OWNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM.(MEMBER OF A RANGER FORUM OF 1000+ MEMBERS). WILL IT CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF FRONT DRIVE LINE COMPONENTS LEADING TO CRASH AND OR DEATH? (3) DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, ONLY WAY TO CORRECT IT IS TO USE HARDER TIRES; DEALER WILL NOT RECOMMEND GOODYEARS WHICH IS WHAT IS INSTALLED BY THE FACTORY. *AK
CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE. GEAR INDICATOR STUCK IN DRIVE, EVEN IF VEHICLE IS IN PARKED. PRELIMINARY FORD INSPECTION REVEALED 3D GEAR FAILURE.*AK
TRANSMISSION IN 2002 FORD RANGER IS A PIECE OF JUNK,MY TRANSMISSION HAS DONE IT ALL,FAILED COMPLETLY WITH ONLY 12,000 MILES,THEN THE DEALER GETS IT AND THE PARTS CHANGERS,NOT MECHANICS DON'T CHANGE ENOUGH PARTS(LEFT TORQUE CONVERTER FULL OF GARBAGE) I WAS A FORD MAN FOR YEARS NOW I WILL NEVER EVER BUY ANOTHER PIECE OF FORD JUNK!…
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TRANSMISSION IN 2002 FORD RANGER IS A PIECE OF JUNK,MY TRANSMISSION HAS DONE IT ALL,FAILED COMPLETLY WITH ONLY 12,000 MILES,THEN THE DEALER GETS IT AND THE PARTS CHANGERS,NOT MECHANICS DON'T CHANGE ENOUGH PARTS(LEFT TORQUE CONVERTER FULL OF GARBAGE) I WAS A FORD MAN FOR YEARS NOW I WILL NEVER EVER BUY ANOTHER PIECE OF FORD JUNK!!!!!*AK
BRAKE AND ROTOR PROBLEMS ON FORD RANGER. ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED AND FRONT TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 12000 MILES BECAUSE THE ROTORS BECAME WARPED AND VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. SAME CONDITION IS OCCURRING AGAIN AT 35000 MILES AND DEALER REFUSES TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY. TRANSMISSION HAS ALSO BEEN OVERHAULED TWICE DUE TO MALFUNCT…
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BRAKE AND ROTOR PROBLEMS ON FORD RANGER. ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED AND FRONT TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 12000 MILES BECAUSE THE ROTORS BECAME WARPED AND VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. SAME CONDITION IS OCCURRING AGAIN AT 35000 MILES AND DEALER REFUSES TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY. TRANSMISSION HAS ALSO BEEN OVERHAULED TWICE DUE TO MALFUNCTION.*AK
TRUCK PULLS TO THE RIGHT ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AT TIMES SEVERE VIBRATION AND RUBBING NOISE. SAFETY DEFINETLY AN ISSUE WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE. MORE RECENTLY 4X4 ENGAGED & TRUCK TILTED TO FRONT RIGHT AND MADE LOUD GRINDING NOISE, COULD ONLY DRIVE 5MPH OR SO. PUT IN REVERSE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BUT STIL…
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TRUCK PULLS TO THE RIGHT ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AT TIMES SEVERE VIBRATION AND RUBBING NOISE. SAFETY DEFINETLY AN ISSUE WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE. MORE RECENTLY 4X4 ENGAGED & TRUCK TILTED TO FRONT RIGHT AND MADE LOUD GRINDING NOISE, COULD ONLY DRIVE 5MPH OR SO. PUT IN REVERSE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BUT STILL PULLS, VIBRATES AND IS GETTING WORSE. NOW, A OIL LEAK FOUND. ALSO, ANTI LOCK BRAKES ARE LOCKING UP. FAN MOTOR COOLER NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. *AK
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.