IllustrationTHE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED WHILE DRIVING. CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL, AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS VERY LOW. I BROUGHT THE FLUID LEVEL TO NORMAL LEVELS, AND NOTICED THAT IT LEAKS TRANSMISSION FLUID VERY BADLY.
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 reportsCONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, LIFTER FEET OFF OF BRAKE, VEHICLE DRIFTED BACKWARD, WITH VEHICLE IN DRIVE GEAR. CONTACTED DEALER. TS
THE CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE ROCKS WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED REPLACING. *MR THE CONSUMER SATES THAT THE VEHICLE GOES AT A RATE OF 2500+3000 RPM 202 RANGER, SHAKES IN THE NET OR PARK. THE ENGINE CUTS OUT AND JERKS AT HIGH SPEEDS, A…
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THE CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE ROCKS WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED REPLACING. *MR THE CONSUMER SATES THAT THE VEHICLE GOES AT A RATE OF 2500+3000 RPM 202 RANGER, SHAKES IN THE NET OR PARK. THE ENGINE CUTS OUT AND JERKS AT HIGH SPEEDS, ALSO WHEN PASSING VEHICLES OR TRUCKS ON THE FREEWAYS-CUTS OUT, ITS VERY UNSAFE, AND THE BRAKES PULSATE/SHAKE WHEN APPLIED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. (6000 RPM, PLUS THE SPEEDOMETER SHOWS 120 MPH) CERTIFIED MECHANIC(S) HAVE STATED THAT THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *SCC
AT 55 TO 60 MPH VEHICLE JERKS AND LUNGES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER,AND THEY STATED THIS WAS NORMAL. *AK CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. *YH
WHEN PULLING UP TO A STOP TRUCK RATTLES WITH AN AWKWARD SOUND. DEALERSHIP HAS MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT, BUT WITH NO SUCCESS. FORD HAS SENT OUT A TSB ON THIS, BUT EVEN THAT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE SPOKE WITH THE OWNER AND BASICALLY TOLD HIM THAT THE TRUCK WAS LIKE THAT. THE ENGINE IS 3…
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WHEN PULLING UP TO A STOP TRUCK RATTLES WITH AN AWKWARD SOUND. DEALERSHIP HAS MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT, BUT WITH NO SUCCESS. FORD HAS SENT OUT A TSB ON THIS, BUT EVEN THAT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE SPOKE WITH THE OWNER AND BASICALLY TOLD HIM THAT THE TRUCK WAS LIKE THAT. THE ENGINE IS 3.0 LITRE W/5 SPEED TRANSMISSION, EDGE SERIES MODEL PICKUP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
I GET 14 MILES TO THE GAL ON THE FREEWAY THE STICKER SAID 19. THE ENGINE SHAKES AT IDLE. IT HAS A LEAN IDLE MISS. THE SHAKING IS VERY BAD AT TIMES. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT RIGHT, CAUSING BAD GAS MILEAGE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS THEY ALL SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM. BUT 14 MILES TO THE GAL IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.*AK
A GRINDING NOISE WOULD COME FROM TRANSMISSION WHEN GEAR CHANGES FROM 1ST TO 2ND, AND SEVERE VIBRATION WOULD OCCUR WHEN DRIVING 65 -70 MPH. VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND NO CORRECTION COULD BE FOUND AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
TRANSMISSION WILL JUMP GEARS WHILE IN PARK AND SURGE FORWARD WITH NO WARNING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
RECALL 02V035000; WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED A LOW HUM COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. HUM STARTS TO GET LOUDER. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, DEALER STATED REAR END WAS BAD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
DEALER PRESENTED VEHICLE AS REPAIRED 12-22-1 (REPLACED SLAVE CYLINDER FOR CLUTCH). WAS STILL NOT DISENGAGING. STILL AT WILLEY FORD.
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.