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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

Steering complaints

8 reports
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57,000 miles · Dec 21, 2019
Service BrakesSteeringSuspension

WE ARE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF A 2002 FORD RANGER XLT NOW WITH 57,000 HIGHWAY MILES, ALWAYS GARAGED/WASHED/MAINTAINED, LITTLE DRIVING IN WINTER (MOSTLY IN SUMMER), ALWAYS FORD MAINTAINED/SERVICED AT SAME DEALERSHIP, BODY/ENGINE/TRANSMISSION IN GREAT SHAPE, WILL LIKELY FAIL INSPECTION THIS SPING BECAUSE FRAME AND FRAME COMPONENTS ARE …

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WE ARE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF A 2002 FORD RANGER XLT NOW WITH 57,000 HIGHWAY MILES, ALWAYS GARAGED/WASHED/MAINTAINED, LITTLE DRIVING IN WINTER (MOSTLY IN SUMMER), ALWAYS FORD MAINTAINED/SERVICED AT SAME DEALERSHIP, BODY/ENGINE/TRANSMISSION IN GREAT SHAPE, WILL LIKELY FAIL INSPECTION THIS SPING BECAUSE FRAME AND FRAME COMPONENTS ARE SEVERELY RUSTED OUT. - SEVERE RUST ON THE ENTIRE FRAME INCLUDING BOTH CROSS MEMBERS (ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION), ARM BOLT POINTS AND CONTROL ARMS. - FRAME ALSO HAS SEVERE RUST DOWN BOTH SIDES TO REAR BUMPER, REAR AXLE AND DIFFERENTAL, LEAF SPRINGS AND ALL MOUNTS. - THE PASSENGER SIDE STEARING KNUCKLE IS DELAMINATING. - ALL BRAKE LINES HAVE FAILED WHILE DRIVING: FIRST THE REAR BRAKES INCLUDING ALL AXLE COUPLINGS AND DRUM COUPLINGS; SECOND THE FRONT BRAKE LINES FAILED AT THE DISK BRAKES AND RUBBER COUPLINGS. ALL BRAKE TUBES HAD TO BE REPLACED FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE WHEELS. - SERVICE MANAGER IS WORRIED ABOUT FRONT CROSS MEMBER FAILING UNDER THE ENGINE, MIDDLE CROSS MEMBER FAILING UNDER THE TRANSMISSION AND THE GAS TANK BRACKETS/STRAPS. - THE FRAME AND MEMBERS AND MOUNTS MUST BE REPLACED; THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS MECHANICALLY SOUND. SERVICE MANAGER SAID NO REPAIR WAS POSSIBLE TO FRAME RUST IS SO BAD PICTURES CAN BE PROVIDED AND/OR VEHICAL INSPECTED BY NHTSA IF DESIRED. ALL BRAKE LINES AND COUPLINGS PERFORMED AROUND AUGUST 29, 2019.

NHTSA ODI #11290615

150,000 miles · Jan 7, 2015
SteeringCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STEER VEER TO THE LEFT. THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER WAS KILLED FROM THE IMPACT AND SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES. THE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. THE FATAL INJURIES TO THE DRIVER WERE CAUSED BY THE IMPACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STEER VEER TO THE LEFT. THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER WAS KILLED FROM THE IMPACT AND SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES. THE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. THE FATAL INJURIES TO THE DRIVER WERE CAUSED BY THE IMPACT FROM THE AIR BAG. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 03/04/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG EXPLODED WITH GREAT FORCE. THE AUTOPSY SAYS HE DIED OF MULTIPLE BLUNT TRAUMA INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND HEAD. UPDATED 10/15/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI #10670785

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2014
SteeringStructureSuspension

I TOOK MY 2002 FORD RANGER TRUCK IN FOR INSPECTION AND I WAS TOLD MY TRUCK WAS UNINSPECTABLE BECAUSE MY FRAME,CROSSMEMBER, FRONT AARMS ARE RUSTED THIN. IT ONLY HAS 80 SOME K ON IT I ONLY HAVE IT FOR 2YEARS I DON'T DRIVE VERY FAR I BOUGHT IT WITH 74K. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607591

45,556 miles · Aug 29, 2005
Steering

THE STEERING MECHANISM WOULD LOCK UP, UNABLE TO START VEHICLE. BETWEEN PUTTING IT BETWEEN PARK AND DRIVE IT WOULD START BY SHIFTING IT. LOCAL FORD DEALERS WOULD STATE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. NOW, I NEED TO REPLACE THE BATTERY EVERY THREE MONTHS. NOW IT WON'T EVEN START. STARTER IS OKAY BECAUSE WHEN I TURN IT OVER IT CLICKS.…

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THE STEERING MECHANISM WOULD LOCK UP, UNABLE TO START VEHICLE. BETWEEN PUTTING IT BETWEEN PARK AND DRIVE IT WOULD START BY SHIFTING IT. LOCAL FORD DEALERS WOULD STATE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. NOW, I NEED TO REPLACE THE BATTERY EVERY THREE MONTHS. NOW IT WON'T EVEN START. STARTER IS OKAY BECAUSE WHEN I TURN IT OVER IT CLICKS. IT'S NOT THE FX PACKAGE, A 2002 FORD RANGER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10134613

4,000 miles · Dec 1, 2004
SteeringCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THIS RESULTED IN A CONCUSSION. DRIVER HAD BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL FOR SEVERE HEADACHES. MANUFACTURER WAS PROVIDING NO ASSISTANCE. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED IN CONSUMER'S DRIVEWAY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10101920

36,000 miles · Jul 11, 2003
Exterior LightingLatches/locks/linkagesSteering

THE STEERING WHEEL CONTAINED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PLAY. *JB. THE STEERING FAILED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. PH. THE HEAD LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED, AND THE DOOR LATCHES WERE LUBRICATED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10019530

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2002
Steering

VEHICLE FAILED TO START DUE TO ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM LOCKING MODE KICKING IN. VEHICLE SHOWED NO SIGNS OF HAVING POWER, AND WOULDN'TSTART UNTIL THE FOLLOWING DAY. DEALER STATED THAT FORD ENGINEERS WERE LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8014284

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2002
SteeringInjury

VEHICLE WAS GOING 40-45MPH AND UPON IMPACT, PASSENGER'S FRONT TIRE FELL DUE TO CARTER PIN POSSIBLY NOT BEING ATTACHED. BRACKET WHERE THE CARTER PIN WAS HELD DIDN'T SHOW ANY INDENTATIONS OR FRAGMENT PIECES OF PIN BEING IN TACK. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND STATED IT WAS VERY UNUSAL FOR THIS TYPE OF IMPACT. *AK *JG

NHTSA ODI #8013732

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.