NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
346 reports15,000 miles · Jul 18, 2003
Power Train
I TOOK MY 1 YEAR AND 2 MONTH OLD RANGER TO THE DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT A PROBLEM I HAD BEEN HAVING WITH IT NOT GOING INTO GEAR. THE CONDESCENDING MAN AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME AFTER A 5 MINUTE LOOK AT MY TRUCK THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE MY CLUTCH REPLACED, AND THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 2 MONTHS. IN CALLING AROUND TO GET PRICES O…
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I TOOK MY 1 YEAR AND 2 MONTH OLD RANGER TO THE DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT A PROBLEM I HAD BEEN HAVING WITH IT NOT GOING INTO GEAR. THE CONDESCENDING MAN AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME AFTER A 5 MINUTE LOOK AT MY TRUCK THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE MY CLUTCH REPLACED, AND THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 2 MONTHS. IN CALLING AROUND TO GET PRICES ON THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CLUTCH, I WAS ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY TOLD THAT IT WAS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE A CLUTCH GO OUT IN A VEHICLE IN THAT SHORT OF A TIME PERIOD, WHEN IT HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED, WHICH MINE HAS NOT. IN RESEARCHING THIS, I HAVE FOUND THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH ON THE 2002 FORD RANGER 3.0. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10028569
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
10,680 miles · Jul 3, 2003
Air Bags
OFF ROADING IN A 2002 FORD RANGER 4X4 EQUIPED WITH THE OFF-ROAD PACKAGE. WAS GOING OVER TERRAIN AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE APPROX. SPEED AT THE TIME TIME WAS LESS THAN 20/MPH. I WAS IN 4X4 LOW SO HIGH SPEEDS WERE NOT POSSIBLE. UPON ENTERING THE TERRAIN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO FRONT END DAMAGE OR ANY COLLISON. …
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OFF ROADING IN A 2002 FORD RANGER 4X4 EQUIPED WITH THE OFF-ROAD PACKAGE. WAS GOING OVER TERRAIN AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE APPROX. SPEED AT THE TIME TIME WAS LESS THAN 20/MPH. I WAS IN 4X4 LOW SO HIGH SPEEDS WERE NOT POSSIBLE. UPON ENTERING THE TERRAIN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO FRONT END DAMAGE OR ANY COLLISON. REDLANDS FORD THE DEALER, ORDERED AND INSPECTION FROM FORD. TO DATE NEITHER REDLANDS FORD OR CORPORATE FORD HAD PROVIDED WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION OF THE INSPECTION OR ANY RESULTS FROM THE INSPECTION. ONLY SAYING THAT THE AIRBAGS OPERATED WITHIN PARAMETERS.
NHTSA ODI #10025380
3,928 miles · Jun 29, 2003
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
ON OCTOBER 30 2002,I WAS DRIVING A 2002 FORD RANGER,MY WIFE AND I WERE GOING TO K-MART AND JUST AS I WAS TURNING INTO THE PARKING SPACE,MY RANGER JUST TOOK OFF AND I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES TRYING TO STOP MY TRUCK,THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS RUNNING WIDE OPEN AND I DID MANAGE TO STOP MY TRUCK WITHIN EIGHT FEET. BUT BY THAT…
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ON OCTOBER 30 2002,I WAS DRIVING A 2002 FORD RANGER,MY WIFE AND I WERE GOING TO K-MART AND JUST AS I WAS TURNING INTO THE PARKING SPACE,MY RANGER JUST TOOK OFF AND I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES TRYING TO STOP MY TRUCK,THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS RUNNING WIDE OPEN AND I DID MANAGE TO STOP MY TRUCK WITHIN EIGHT FEET. BUT BY THAT TIME I HIT A SHOPPING CART AND A WHEEL/CHAIR SIGN. THE SHOPPING CART WEDGED BETWEEN MY TRUCK AND THE DODGE NEON THAT IT HIT. AND DID DAMAGE TO. AND THE SIGN BOUNCED OFF MY TRUCK AND HIT ANOTHER CAR,BUT IT ONLY PUT A SCRATCH ON THE OTHER CAR. THERE WAS AN WITNESS THAT HEARD AND SAW EVERYTHING. AND NOW MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT RENEW MY POLICY AS OF JULY 18 2003. I DID TAKE MY RANGER TO THE FORD GARAGE THE SAME DAY TO HAVE IT TESTED. AND ON NOVEMBER 10 2002,MY RANGER DID THE SAME THING AGAIN, BUT THANK GOD THERE WASN'T NO OTHER VEHICLE CLOSE BY AND I DID GET MY RANGER STOPPED. SO NOW WHO DO I NEED TO TURN TO FOR HELP....RLP PS. THIS ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE K-MART POLICE. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10023968
25,000 miles · Jun 27, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
AFTER 25000 MILES, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN BRAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. THE DEALER ASKED IF I DID A LOT OF STOP AND GO DRIVING. I EXPLAINED THAT I DRIVE 4 MILES TO THE FREEWAY, 75 MILES ON THE FREEWAY AT 4:30AM, BARELY ANY TRAFFIC, …
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AFTER 25000 MILES, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN BRAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. THE DEALER ASKED IF I DID A LOT OF STOP AND GO DRIVING. I EXPLAINED THAT I DRIVE 4 MILES TO THE FREEWAY, 75 MILES ON THE FREEWAY AT 4:30AM, BARELY ANY TRAFFIC, AND THEN 2 MILES TO THE BUILDING IN WHICH I WORK. SO NO, I DO NOT DRIVE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE DEALER DID NOT WANT TO COVER THE ROTORS UNDER THE 3/36 WARRANTY, HE SAID THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT COVERED. I EXPLAINED THAT I UNDERSTAND THAT BRAKE PADS WERE NOT COVERED, BUT THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS ARE NOT A CONSUMABLE ITEMS. AFTER 3 DAYS OF ARGUING WITH THE DEALER, THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY. 25000 MILES LATER, I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY ARE REPLACING THESE ROTORS FOR FREE. SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK THE ROTORS ON THE 2002 FORD RANGER XLT EXTENDED CAB 4 DR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10023895
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAD A PINGING,THEY CHANGED A SENSOR, IT WENT AWAY FOR A WHILE AND NOW IT IS BACK, THEN THEY CLEANED THE CARBON OUT OF THE ENGINE AND NOW IT SURGES, AND STILL PINGS. THEY PUT IT ON A MACHINE AND THE MACHINE SAID IT IS OK. I AM NOT SATISFIED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10023701
52,000 miles · Jun 11, 2003
Power Train
CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER FAILED ON A 16 MONTH OLD FORD RANGER 5 SPEED, 4 CYLINDER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10021435
Mileage unknown · May 29, 2003
Fuel System, Diesel
WHILE DRIVING FUEL TANK STARTED LEAKING. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10021831
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2003
Tires
WHILE DRIVING THE REAR TIRE ON THE VEHICLE BLEW OUT. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10017261
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2003
Power Train
WHILE SHIFTING AND DECELERATING THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE. THE DEALER DENIED ANY PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10016066
Official recalls
3Oct 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.
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.
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 ↗
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