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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.

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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

51 reports
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180,000 miles · Jan 17, 2024
Vehicle Speed Control

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and attempting to switch lanes, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V399000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The local dealer was not con…

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The contact owns a 2002 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and attempting to switch lanes, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V399000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to three separate independent mechanics to be diagnosed. After each diagnostic test, the contact was informed that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #11566008

90,934 miles · Aug 19, 2020
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

RECENTLY MY TRUCK UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED AS I WAS BACKING UP IN DRIVEWAY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I PICKED UP TRUCK AFTER COLLISION REPAIR, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON HIGHWAY CAUSING IT TO FISH-TAIL OUR OF CONTROL AND NEARLY CAUSING ANOTHER ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11350274

100,000 miles · Jan 9, 2019
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

TRANSMISSION STUCK IN 4X4 LOW

NHTSA ODI #11166022

250,000 miles · Aug 16, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed ControlFire

MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON HWY 79FROM PALISTINE TX TO JACKSONVILLE TX THURSDAY 7/11/2016 WHEN WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE TRUCK WE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED FIRE UNDER THE HOOD I TRIED TO POOR WATER ON IT ALL IT DID WAS JUST GET WORSE AND OUR TRUCK ALL MY WORK TOOLS MY LIVELY HOOD BLEW UP.

NHTSA ODI #10896403

34,000 miles · Feb 25, 2016
Exterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

2002 FORD RANGER, CONSUMER STATED HIS ISSUE DEALS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL, WHICH WORKED SPORADICALLY. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE PRESSED THE BUTTON FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE GREEN LIGHT WOULD FLASH, BUT IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. TWO MONTHS AGO, THE BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. *JB..UPDATED 03/16/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED…

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2002 FORD RANGER, CONSUMER STATED HIS ISSUE DEALS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL, WHICH WORKED SPORADICALLY. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE PRESSED THE BUTTON FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE GREEN LIGHT WOULD FLASH, BUT IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. TWO MONTHS AGO, THE BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. *JB..UPDATED 03/16/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD ACTIVATE AND DEACTIVATE ON ITS OWN. IN FEB 2015, ALL THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. HOWEVER, ALL THE BULB WERE STILL GOOD. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/22/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10838435

100,000 miles · Dec 29, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH FAILED TO FUNCTION AND THE LIGHT ON THE FUNCTION BUTTON FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10816866

192,000 miles · Mar 27, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND THEN HESITATED TO REDUCE SPEED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000.

NHTSA ODI #10702162

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10649736

190,000 miles · Aug 22, 2014
EngineFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK AND I WENT TO PARK MY TRUCK IN THE FRONT YARD. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS ABOUT TO STOP THE ENGINE ROARED, AS IF I REALLY HIT THE GAS PEDAL AND I HAD TO JAM THE CAR IN PARK TO GET IT TO STOP. TODAY, AS I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK, I WAS COMING TO A FOUR WAY STOP IN A SCHOOL ZONE. WHEN I WAS ALMOST STOPPED TH…

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I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK AND I WENT TO PARK MY TRUCK IN THE FRONT YARD. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS ABOUT TO STOP THE ENGINE ROARED, AS IF I REALLY HIT THE GAS PEDAL AND I HAD TO JAM THE CAR IN PARK TO GET IT TO STOP. TODAY, AS I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK, I WAS COMING TO A FOUR WAY STOP IN A SCHOOL ZONE. WHEN I WAS ALMOST STOPPED THE TRUCK ENGINE ACCELERATED AND I HAD TO PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK TO GET IT TO STOP. I NEED TO KNOW IS THERE A RECALL FROM FORD FOR THIS. I CANNOT LET ANYONE ELSE DRIVE MY TRUCK FOR FEAR IT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM AND THEY WILL NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627630

20,000 miles · Apr 16, 2014
StructureVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, HE ERRONEOUSLY DEPRESSED BOTH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND PROCEEDED THROUGH THE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, HE ERRONEOUSLY DEPRESSED BOTH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND PROCEEDED THROUGH THE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10583088

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.