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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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80,000 miles · Feb 21, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

THE 2002 FORD RANGER WAS COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT ABOUT 3 MPH, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK ACCELERATED REALLY HIGH. I THREW THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL AND IT CONTINUED TO RACE BUT THE WHEELS WERE NO LONGER SPINNING, I HIT THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN THREW IT BACK INTO DRIVE WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING…

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THE 2002 FORD RANGER WAS COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT ABOUT 3 MPH, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK ACCELERATED REALLY HIGH. I THREW THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL AND IT CONTINUED TO RACE BUT THE WHEELS WERE NO LONGER SPINNING, I HIT THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN THREW IT BACK INTO DRIVE WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING AND I NEED HELP PLEASE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565293

49,013 miles · Dec 9, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) BUT THE DEALER FAILED TO DISCONNECT THE SYSTEM. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) BUT THE DEALER FAILED TO DISCONNECT THE SYSTEM. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SUN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO OVER HEAT AND THE CRUISE CONTROL TO GET HOLES ON IT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,013

NHTSA ODI #10439146

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

WHEN THE DEALERSHIP DISCONNECTED OUR SPEED CONTROL (RECALL) THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON WHICH EVENTUALLY LED TO FAILURE OF THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THEY WOULD LOCK UP WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. WE HAD TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES AND WHEELS REBUILT AND SPENT OVER $1,000 ON REPAIRS. WHEN THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER D…

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WHEN THE DEALERSHIP DISCONNECTED OUR SPEED CONTROL (RECALL) THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON WHICH EVENTUALLY LED TO FAILURE OF THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THEY WOULD LOCK UP WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. WE HAD TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES AND WHEELS REBUILT AND SPENT OVER $1,000 ON REPAIRS. WHEN THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER DISCONNECTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL THE DEALERSHIP CHECK IT OUT AND SAID IT WOULD BE FINE. I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT THIS VEHICLE JUST DEVELOPED A SUDDEN BRAKE ISSUE THAT JUST HAPPENED TO CO-INSIDE WITH THE DISCONNECTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. WHAT IS EVEN HARDER TO BELIEVE IS THAT ONCE IT WAS FIXED THE BRAKE LIGHT MAGICALLY WENT OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325512

34,000 miles · Mar 16, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 40-45 MPH; PROCEEDING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE INCREASED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT AND MORE FREQUENT WHEN THE AIR CONDITION SYSTEM WAS ACTIVA…

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TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 40-45 MPH; PROCEEDING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE INCREASED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT AND MORE FREQUENT WHEN THE AIR CONDITION SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA ODI #10320227

49,310 miles · Sep 7, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLES CRUISE/SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS DISENGAGES AND ENGAGE ON IT'S OWN. STOPS WORKING WITH OUT NOTICE CAUSES VEHICLE TO DECELERATE RAPIDLY WITHOUT NOTICE. WILL NOT ENGAGE AGAIN AFTER SHUTTING IT OFF FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. SOMETIMES VEHICLE IN SPEED CONTROL MODE WILL START SURGING AND THEN CONTROL STOPS WORKING ALL TO…

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VEHICLES CRUISE/SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS DISENGAGES AND ENGAGE ON IT'S OWN. STOPS WORKING WITH OUT NOTICE CAUSES VEHICLE TO DECELERATE RAPIDLY WITHOUT NOTICE. WILL NOT ENGAGE AGAIN AFTER SHUTTING IT OFF FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. SOMETIMES VEHICLE IN SPEED CONTROL MODE WILL START SURGING AND THEN CONTROL STOPS WORKING ALL TOGETHER. VEHICLE HAS 49,499 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241246

23,525 miles · May 22, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SINCE I BOUGHT THE RANGER EDGE PICKUP SINCE 2002. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CHANGED HANDS SINCE IS NOW LANDERS BUT WAS CALLED CRAIN FORD LINCOLN MERCURY. WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THE SPEED CONTROL IS DISENGAGING WHEN ACTIVATED AND NOT ACTIVATING WHEN TURNED ON AND THEN WORKING SOME …

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I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SINCE I BOUGHT THE RANGER EDGE PICKUP SINCE 2002. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CHANGED HANDS SINCE IS NOW LANDERS BUT WAS CALLED CRAIN FORD LINCOLN MERCURY. WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THE SPEED CONTROL IS DISENGAGING WHEN ACTIVATED AND NOT ACTIVATING WHEN TURNED ON AND THEN WORKING SOME TIME AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN A WHILE. I HAVE 105,000 MILES ESTIMATED BUT WHEN ENGAGED I HAVE HAD IT DISENGAGE NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING. THIS WAS CHECKED BY FORD DEALERSHIP OVER 7 TIMES SINCE 2002 AND THEY STATED COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS AT ALL AND STATED EVERYTHING IS OK BUT THE PROBLEMS STILL PERSIST AND IT SEEMS ONCE THE TRUCK GETS WARM IT STARTS WORKING BUT STOPS WORKING AS WELL. EVEN SOMETIMES WHEN THE TRUCK HASN'T BEEN RUNNING VERY LONG THE SPEED SYSTEM WANT ENGAGE AT ALL WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IT IS VERY SCARY THOUGH WHEN IT DISENGAGES AND YOU ARE AWARE THAT IT IS NOT WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND COULD CAUSE SOMEONE TO RUN INTO ME IF I DON'T NOTICE IT DUE TO THE CHANGE OF LOSS OF SPEED. ALSO THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OCCASIONS WHEN TRYING TO ACTIVATE THE SPEED CONTROL AND IT WILL NOT ENGAGE WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE FOR LONG DRIVE TIMES. WHAT CAN BE DONE???? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228712

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

2002 FORD RANGER SPEED CONTROL RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE LACK OF PARTS. HE STATES THAT THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE IN. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10219535

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN THE SUMMER OF 2007. HE HAS BEEN WAITING ON THE PARTS TO ARRIVE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE DEALER CONTINUES TO PROVIDE DATES AS TO WHEN THE PARTS WILL ARRIVE, BUT THEY ARE STILL UNAVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN THE SUMMER OF 2007. HE HAS BEEN WAITING ON THE PARTS TO ARRIVE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE DEALER CONTINUES TO PROVIDE DATES AS TO WHEN THE PARTS WILL ARRIVE, BUT THEY ARE STILL UNAVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER, PURCHASE DATE, AND FUEL SYSTEM WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,763.

NHTSA ODI #10219521

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) IN AUGUST OF 2007. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THEY HAVE NOT PROVIDED HIM WITH ANY SOLUTIONS. THE CONTACT IS DISPLEASED THAT THE REPAIR WORK HAS NOT YET BEEN PERF…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) IN AUGUST OF 2007. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THEY HAVE NOT PROVIDED HIM WITH ANY SOLUTIONS. THE CONTACT IS DISPLEASED THAT THE REPAIR WORK HAS NOT YET BEEN PERFORMED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000. UPDATED 04/11/08 *BF UPDATED 04/11/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10219088

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

I RECEIVED A LETTER IN AUG, 2007 ABOUT A SPEED CONTROL DEVICE ON MY TRUCK THAT WAS BAD. SAID TO GO HAVE IT DISCONNECTED WHICH I DID. I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE PART AND WAS TOLD ON 2/14/08 THAT THE PART STILL ISN'T AVAILABLE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS TAKING SO LONG TO GET THIS FIXED. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218112

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.