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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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88,000 miles · Dec 19, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

RECEIVED A RECALL ON MY SPEED CONTROL. MADE A APPOINTMENT AT DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PART AND THEY DISCONNECTED MY SPEED CONTROL, BUT RAN OUT OF PARTS. THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAVE BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF THIS PART[SCDS] AND THEY TELL ME JANUARY OR FEBRUARY 2008. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT SPEED …

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RECEIVED A RECALL ON MY SPEED CONTROL. MADE A APPOINTMENT AT DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PART AND THEY DISCONNECTED MY SPEED CONTROL, BUT RAN OUT OF PARTS. THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAVE BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF THIS PART[SCDS] AND THEY TELL ME JANUARY OR FEBRUARY 2008. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT SPEED CONTROL FOR OVER 4 MONTHS. AS SOON AS THEY DISCONNECTED MY SPEED CONTROL MY ANTI-LOCK LIGHT ON DASH HAS BEEN COMING ON OCCASIONALLY. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THIS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD AFFECT MY ABILITY TO STOP OR AVOID A COLLISION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212295

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

FORD MOTOR CO. ISSUED RECALL 05S28 IN AUGUST 2007. I TOOK MY 2002 RANGER IN ON 01 SEPT AND WAS TOLD PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. CHECK BACK IN LATE NOV. THIS IS A RECALL PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL, AND THE DEALER DISCONNECTED IT, STATING THAT IT WAS A FIRE HAZARD. I TOOK THE RANGER IN ON 08 DEC AND AGAIN WAS TOLD PARTS WER…

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FORD MOTOR CO. ISSUED RECALL 05S28 IN AUGUST 2007. I TOOK MY 2002 RANGER IN ON 01 SEPT AND WAS TOLD PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. CHECK BACK IN LATE NOV. THIS IS A RECALL PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL, AND THE DEALER DISCONNECTED IT, STATING THAT IT WAS A FIRE HAZARD. I TOOK THE RANGER IN ON 08 DEC AND AGAIN WAS TOLD PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THE DEALER HAD NO INFORMATION AS TO WHEN FORD WOULD SEND THE PARTS OUT, EXCEPT THAT IT WOULD BE SOME TIME AFTER THE NEW YEAR. IN THE MEANTIME, I AM WITHOUT USE OF THE CRUISE CONTROL, WHICH IS OF GREAT BENEFIT TO ME WHEN TRAVELING. IN MY OPINION, 4+ MONTHS IS FAR TOO LONG TO HAVE TO WAIT FOR FORD TO CORRECT A PROBLEM OF THIS SORT, ESPECIALLY SINCE EVEN THE DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM FORD. THIS RECALL INACTION HAS ALL THE APPEARANCES OF DELIBERATE NEGLECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212068

Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

2002 FORD RANGER RECALL FOR SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO AUTHORIZED DEALER IN HIS TOWN. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF A PARTICULAR AGENT IN ANOTHER TOWN WAS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE THE REPAIR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIRS STILL HAVE NOT BEEN MADE.

NHTSA ODI #10210525

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS TAKING TOO LONG TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000. HE STATED THAT HE PAID TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE ON HIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THERE HAD BE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS TAKING TOO LONG TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000. HE STATED THAT HE PAID TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE ON HIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #10208948

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2007
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. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE SPEED CONTROL; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS DISSATISFIED WITH THE REMEDY. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ODI #10208772

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

RECALL LETTER STATED SPEED CONTROL REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. NUMEROUS CALLS TO MANUFACTURER OVER LAST 3 MONTHS TO EFFECT REPAIR RESULTED IN ME BEING INFORMED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE REPAIR PARTS. THE LAST ESTIMATE I RECEIVED WAS 3/08 - EIGHT MOUNTS AFTER I RECEIVED THE LETTER. FORD DOES NOT SEEM COMMITTED TO REPAIRING THIS DANGER…

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RECALL LETTER STATED SPEED CONTROL REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. NUMEROUS CALLS TO MANUFACTURER OVER LAST 3 MONTHS TO EFFECT REPAIR RESULTED IN ME BEING INFORMED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE REPAIR PARTS. THE LAST ESTIMATE I RECEIVED WAS 3/08 - EIGHT MOUNTS AFTER I RECEIVED THE LETTER. FORD DOES NOT SEEM COMMITTED TO REPAIRING THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208500

65,000 miles · Nov 8, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V33600 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AFTER THE SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V33600 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AFTER THE SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FAILED PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NOT BEING ABLE TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS AN INCONVENIENCE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WOULDN'T BE AVAILABLE UNTIL AFTER JANUARY OF 2008. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 03/13/08. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10208393

69,500 miles · Oct 31, 2007
Air BagsVehicle Speed Control

AFTER MY 2002 FORD RANGER WAS RECALLED FOR A CRUISE CONTROL ISSUE, I KEPT BLOWING FUSES. IN TAKING IT IN TO MY FORD DEALER THEY INDICATED A SHORT WITHIN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM. WENT THROUGH ABOUT 20 - 10 AMP FUSES BEFORE I COULD TAKE IT IN. FAILURE OF A SAFETY ITEM LIKE THE AIRBAG SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ESPECIA…

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AFTER MY 2002 FORD RANGER WAS RECALLED FOR A CRUISE CONTROL ISSUE, I KEPT BLOWING FUSES. IN TAKING IT IN TO MY FORD DEALER THEY INDICATED A SHORT WITHIN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM. WENT THROUGH ABOUT 20 - 10 AMP FUSES BEFORE I COULD TAKE IT IN. FAILURE OF A SAFETY ITEM LIKE THE AIRBAG SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ESPECIALLY WITH LESS THAT 70,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10207563

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

IN AUGUST YOU SENT ME A LETTER ON MY FORD RANGER (SCDS) SPEED CONTROL. I"VE MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO GET IT FIXED. BUT EVERY TIME I TAKE MY TRUCK IN THEY ALWAYS TELL ME THEY JUST RAN OUT AND THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. I CALLED AGAIN TODAY AND THEY TELL ME TO CALL BACK ON DECEMBER 2ND. WHAT KIND OF RUN AROUND IS THIS? AND WHO IS …

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IN AUGUST YOU SENT ME A LETTER ON MY FORD RANGER (SCDS) SPEED CONTROL. I"VE MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO GET IT FIXED. BUT EVERY TIME I TAKE MY TRUCK IN THEY ALWAYS TELL ME THEY JUST RAN OUT AND THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. I CALLED AGAIN TODAY AND THEY TELL ME TO CALL BACK ON DECEMBER 2ND. WHAT KIND OF RUN AROUND IS THIS? AND WHO IS GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MY TRUCK,CAR,GARAGE AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT IS IN IT? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10207328

43,000 miles · Oct 18, 2007
Vehicle Speed ControlFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007, THE CONTACT'S NEIGHBOR INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED FORD TO HAVE HIS VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE; HOWEVER, THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE C…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007, THE CONTACT'S NEIGHBOR INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED FORD TO HAVE HIS VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE; HOWEVER, THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 43,000.

NHTSA ODI #10206223

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.