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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

What owners actually said

346 reports
17,000 miles · Sep 3, 2003
Air BagsCrash

MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT WHEN HE DROVE INTO A SANDY DITCH WHILE AVOIDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. HE HIT A SAND HILL HEAD ON, AT APPROX 25 MPH. THE RANGER/EDGE WAS TOTALLED, NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPOLYED. THE BODY SHOP LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THERE ARE NO AIR BAG SENSORS, OR AIR…

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MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT WHEN HE DROVE INTO A SANDY DITCH WHILE AVOIDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. HE HIT A SAND HILL HEAD ON, AT APPROX 25 MPH. THE RANGER/EDGE WAS TOTALLED, NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPOLYED. THE BODY SHOP LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THERE ARE NO AIR BAG SENSORS, OR AIR BAG HARNESSES FOR THE SENDORS LOCATED IN THE FRONT PORTION OF THE TRUCK. THE SHOP CALLED FORD AND REQUESTED A DIAGRAM OF WHERE THE SENSORS AND WIRING SHOULD BE. USING THE FORD DIAGRAM IT IS OBVIOUS THERE WERE NO SENSORS OR WIRING. I AM WONDERING HOW MANY OTHER FORD RANGERS / EDGES ARE OUT THERE WITH NO SENSORS AT THE FRONT BUMPER. CONTACTED KEN GRODY FORD AND TALKED WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO DID NOT APPEAR CONCERNED. HE DIRECTED ME TO THE FORD COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10037173

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2003
TiresCrashInjury

2002 FORD RANGER PICKUP TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE BEGAN TO BOUNCE AND THEN THE TREAD BEAGN TO SEPARATE. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL THEN OVERTURNING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10033233

6,482 miles · Aug 12, 2003
Electrical System

I NEED HELP. I WAS DRIVING FROM MY CHILDS SCHOOL THE OTHER DAY, WHILE ACCELERATING DOWN THE HILL THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND IF IT WASNT FOR THE PARKING LOT TO THE RIGHT I WOULD HAVE COME UPON A RED LIGHT MAY HAVE BEEN IN A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT. ON AUGUST 11, 2003 I WAS DRIVING TO A SCOUT ME…

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I NEED HELP. I WAS DRIVING FROM MY CHILDS SCHOOL THE OTHER DAY, WHILE ACCELERATING DOWN THE HILL THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND IF IT WASNT FOR THE PARKING LOT TO THE RIGHT I WOULD HAVE COME UPON A RED LIGHT MAY HAVE BEEN IN A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT. ON AUGUST 11, 2003 I WAS DRIVING TO A SCOUT MEETING, WHILE COMING UPON A STOP SIGN I PROCEEDED TO TERN ON MY HEAD LIGHTS AND THE SAME THING BEGAN TO OCCUR. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENTS WENT OFF AND SUDDENLY CAME BACK ON. BUT BECAUSE WE BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A USED CAR DEALER I DONT KNOW IF IT IS STILL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. BUT AFTER READING A LOT OF THE HORROR STORIES ON THIS SITE ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THERE RANGERS ALSO I AM CONSIDERING GETTING RID OF THE TRUCK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10032636

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2003
Electrical SystemEquipment

ON 2 OCASSIONS IN JULY 2002; FORD RANGER JUST STOPPED RUNNING...ALL SYSTEMS NON FUNCTIONING; RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, WITH MILEAGE< 15,000. THERE WAS NO TIME TO PULL OFF ROAD AS NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON; ALL SYSTEMS SIMPLY FAILED. FIRST TIME IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN A WEEK LATER. I MIGHT ADD …

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ON 2 OCASSIONS IN JULY 2002; FORD RANGER JUST STOPPED RUNNING...ALL SYSTEMS NON FUNCTIONING; RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, WITH MILEAGE< 15,000. THERE WAS NO TIME TO PULL OFF ROAD AS NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON; ALL SYSTEMS SIMPLY FAILED. FIRST TIME IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN A WEEK LATER. I MIGHT ADD THEIR ROADSIDE SERVICE COULD NOT BE PROVIDED AS THEY HAD NO ONE AVAILABLE. I SAT FOR 2 HOURS UNTIL POLICE CAME BY & OBTAINED A TOW FOR ME. VICTORY FORD IN STOUGHTON MA. DID FIRST REPAIR & TRUCK WAS NOT RUNNING RIGHT. WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK THE NEXT DAY; THEY STATED IT WAS ROAD TESTED. HOW CAN THEY ROAD TEST WHEN IN MILEAGE WAS THE SAME AS OUT MILEAGE? SECOND TIME REPAIR WAS DONE AT A DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIP, WHICH I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH EXCEPT IT TOOK OVER A WEEK BEFORE THEY COULD GET TO IT. THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE MAIN COMPUTER CHIP. BUT IN CASE IT HAPPENED AGAIN THEY GAVE ME AN EXTRA CHIP AND SHOWED ME HOW TO INSTALL IT !!! REAL CONFIDENCE BUILDER!! TRUCK CONTINUED TO RUN ROUGH BUT I WAS TOLD THIS WAS TYPICAL OF FORD BY THE MECHANIC. SECOND COMPLAINT...ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND WHEN I WENT TO FORD GARAGE THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T GET TO IT FOR DAYS, BUT THAT IT WAS PROBABLY ALRIGHT TO DRIVE, BUT THAT I SHOULD HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. HOW DO I GET IT CHECKED OUT WHEN NO LOCAL FORD GARAGES COULD DO IT. TOOK MY CHANCES AND WENT ON VACATION. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION; A MALE RELATIVE CALLED A FORD GARAGE IN N.H. THE PROBLEM..A DPFE SENSOR & IT WAS PROMPTLY REPAIRED. THIS GARAGE IN CONWAY N.H. (MACDONALD MOTORS) TREATED ME THE WAY I FELT ALL CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE TREATED. MUST I GO OUT OF STATE NOW TO GET TRUCK FIXED WHICH IS STILL UNDER WARRENTY AND <18,000 MILES ON IT. THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME OUT & ALLOWING ME TO VENT. I HAVE BEEN A FORD OWNER FOR MANY YEARS & TRADE VEHICLES EVERY 2 YEARS. GUESS IT'S TIME TO SEEK ANOTHER AUTO MAKER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10031176

4,000 miles · Aug 8, 2003
Air Bags

LABOR DAY 2002 MY 2002 FORD RANGER 2.3 LET ME DOWN. APPROX. 4000 MILE ON IT LEAVING SEQUIM WASHINGTON ON HWY 101 GOING TO PORT ANGELES WASHINGTON, I WAS TRAVELING 55 MILES HOUR. ALL A SUDDEN I SMELT GAS, THEN MY RANGER STARTED TO SPEW OUT LOTS OF BLACK SMOKE. THE MOTOR QUIT AND I PULLED OFF THI HWY. IT WON'T STATR UP. CALLED…

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LABOR DAY 2002 MY 2002 FORD RANGER 2.3 LET ME DOWN. APPROX. 4000 MILE ON IT LEAVING SEQUIM WASHINGTON ON HWY 101 GOING TO PORT ANGELES WASHINGTON, I WAS TRAVELING 55 MILES HOUR. ALL A SUDDEN I SMELT GAS, THEN MY RANGER STARTED TO SPEW OUT LOTS OF BLACK SMOKE. THE MOTOR QUIT AND I PULLED OFF THI HWY. IT WON'T STATR UP. CALLED THE DEALER, THEY WERE JUST CLOSING UP TIME 4:30 PM LABOR DAY I SOPKE TO A SALEMAN, SERVIDE DEPT NOT WORKING, NO ONE TO HELP ME. I TOLD THE SALESMAN I WOULD GO BACK AND TRY TO START IT, IF I GOT IT STSRTID I WOULD TAKE IT HOME. NO HELP THE RANGER WAS INSURED. I WENT BACK, AFTER A FEW TIMES I GOT IT STARTED. BLACK SMOKE WAW COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. I REVERED THE ENGINE UP AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME IN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR MAINTANING 35 TO 40 MILES AN HOUR. GOPT UP THE NEX MORNING THE RANGER WOULD NOT START TILL I TRIED IT SEVERAL TIMES. IT DID START AND RAN PRETTY GOOG BUT WITH IGNITION TROUBLES. TRAVELING, MOTOR RUNNING 1800 TO 2800 RPM IN 5TH GEAR RANGER FELT LIKE IT WOULD SHIFT UP AND DOUN. TIMING WAS CHANING. SOME TIME ENGINE WOUL SHUT DOWN THEN COME BACK ON. FORD DEALER CAN'T FINED ANY THING WRONG. APPROX 16000 MILES LATER I TOOK RANGER TO A GARAGE. THERE COMPUTER SHOWED THE ENGINE WOUD DROP TWO CLYNDERS NOW AND THEN. SHUT DOWN AND RIGHT BACK ON. TOOK IGNITION PRINT OUT TO FORD DEALER, THEY STILL SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG.

NHTSA ODI #10031102

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2003
Wheels

THE CONSUMER HAD A BLOW OUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. THE WHEEL WOULD NOT COME OFF. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10032386

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2003
Tires

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. THE TIRE WAS A BRIDGESTONE FIRERSTONE P22570R15. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10032383

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2003
EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicTiresCrash

THE JACK BROKE WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS CHANGING A TIRE. THE SPARE TIRE WAS A DIFFERENT SIZE FROM THE REGULAR TIRES WHICH CAUSED REAR END NOISE. THE BRAKES LOCKED UP WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE SHOES. THE REAR DOOR AND SPEAKERS VIBRATED WHEN THE RADIO WAS IN USE. …

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THE JACK BROKE WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS CHANGING A TIRE. THE SPARE TIRE WAS A DIFFERENT SIZE FROM THE REGULAR TIRES WHICH CAUSED REAR END NOISE. THE BRAKES LOCKED UP WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE SHOES. THE REAR DOOR AND SPEAKERS VIBRATED WHEN THE RADIO WAS IN USE. THE DEALER REPOSITIONED THE LOOSE INSULATION. WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED THE VEHICLE MADE NOISE AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VIBRATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND PEDAL. WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. *AK *CB *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10024370

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2003
Suspension

CONSUMER STATES TIRES ARE WEARING PREMATURELY DUE TO FRONT END SUSPENSION. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10031397

35,700 miles · Jul 25, 2003
Seat Belts

CONSUMER STATES THAT DRIVER'S FRONT SAFETY BELT LATCH PLATE DOES NOT LOCK INTO THE BUCKLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SECURE. CONSUMER DOES NOT HAVE THE PROTECTION OF SAFETY BELT WHEN DRIVING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10030148

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.