WE, IN GOOD FAITH, PURCHASED A NEW 2002 FORD RANGER, EDGE EDITION FROM YOUR ROBSTOWN TEXAS DEALERSHIP ON 7/12/2002. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ranger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
346 reportsTHE VEHICLES ENGINE IDLES ROUGHLY WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM INSTANTLY AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD TAKEN IT IN TO DEAN SELLERS FORD IN TROY MICHIGAN WITH 500 MILES ON IT AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A NEW ENGINE FOR THE RANGER, AND IT WAS SUPPOSE TO DRIVE LIKE THAT. HOWEVE…
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THE VEHICLES ENGINE IDLES ROUGHLY WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM INSTANTLY AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD TAKEN IT IN TO DEAN SELLERS FORD IN TROY MICHIGAN WITH 500 MILES ON IT AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A NEW ENGINE FOR THE RANGER, AND IT WAS SUPPOSE TO DRIVE LIKE THAT. HOWEVER, AFTER CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND EXPERIENCING STALL OUTS I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY ENGINE. I STARTED UP OTHER RANGERS AT OTHER DEALERSHIPS AND YES, WHEN FIRST STARTED THE IDLING IS ROUGH BUT THEN KICKS DOWN TO A NORMAL RUNNING IDLE. I HAVE HAD A SERVICE TECH. AGREE WITH ME THAT THE IDLING SEEMS TO BE ROUGH ON MY VEHICLE BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN FOUND TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. NOR HAS ANYTHING BEEN FOUND ON THE STALL OUTS. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED "JOLTING" OR "SURGES" OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. ATTEMPTING TO SPEED UP 5 OR 10 MPH PRODUCES A JOLT FORWARD AS THOUGH YOU HAVE GUNNED THE ENGINE, AT TIMES IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS SPEEDING UP ON IT'S OWN. I TRULY BELIEVE FORD IS MANUFACTURING FAULTY ENGINES WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND I AM COMPLETELY 100% UNSATISFIED WITH MY PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED A 1995 RANGER AND HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THAT YEAR LINE. SOMEONE OF AUTHORITY NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS VEHICLE AND CONSUMERS SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR THE MANY ISSUES FORD HAS WITH RANGER ENGINES. YOUR ASSISTANCE AND POWER IS MUCH APPRECIATED.*AK
VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THREE (3) OCCASIONS AND WAS PREVENTED FROM STALLING ON ONE OTHER. FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS ON 06/14/02 WITH APPROXIMATELY 2800 MILES, VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROX. 15-20 MILES AN HOUR AND TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT. SECOND FAILURE WAS ON 07/09/02 WITH APPROX. 3650 MILES, VEHICLE AGAIN WAS MAK…
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VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THREE (3) OCCASIONS AND WAS PREVENTED FROM STALLING ON ONE OTHER. FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS ON 06/14/02 WITH APPROXIMATELY 2800 MILES, VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROX. 15-20 MILES AN HOUR AND TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT. SECOND FAILURE WAS ON 07/09/02 WITH APPROX. 3650 MILES, VEHICLE AGAIN WAS MAKING A TURN AT APPROX. 15 MPH. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED THE EVENING OF PICKING UP THE VEHICLE FROM JEROME DUNCAN FORD FOR SERVICE. HOWEVER, JEROME DUNCAN REFUSED TO ITEMIZE THIS PROBLEM ON THEIR REPAIR LIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY RUNNING AND DID NOT STALL OUT IN THEIR POSSESSION. THIRD FAILURE OCCURED 08/11/02 WITH APPROX. 5700 MILES, VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX. 25-30 MPH ATTEMPTING TO TURN OR CURVE TO THE LEFT. EACH TIME THIS "STALL OUT" HAS OCCURRED THE ENGINE HAS BEEN WARM AND THE GAS TANK HAD 1/4 OR MORE OF GAS IN IT. I PREVENTED THE FOURTH OCCURRENCE FROM HAPPENING WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND GIVING THE ENGINE SOME GAS WHILE KEEPING ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICING FOR THIS PROBLEM 3 TIMES, HOWEVER, 2 OF THE TIMES JEROME DUNCAN FORD HAS REFUSED TO DOCUMENT IT, SAYING THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND APPEARS TO BE IN WORKING ORDER. ONLY ONCE HAS THIS VEHICLE BEEN DOCUMENTED WITH A FORD DEALER FOR ISSUES, RUSS MILNE FORD 24777 HALL RD. MACOMB MI 48042 (810) 948-7700. THE TECHNICIANS THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE FOR THE STALL OUTS. I WILL ONCE AGAIN TAKE MY VEHICLE IN AND HAVE THIS PROBLEM DOCUMENTED TO ENSURE MY CASE UNDER THE MICHIGAN LEMON LAW. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE "STALLS OUT" ALL POWER IS LOST, ENABLING ME TO STEER PROPERLY AND POSSIBLY ENDANGERING MYSELF AND OTHERS. ON THE SECOND OCCURRENCE I NARROWLY MISSED A HEAD ON COLLISION. I WOULD LIKE THIS MATTER INVESTIGATED AND WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE. THANK YOU.*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
I GET 14 MILES TO THE GAL ON THE FREEWAY THE STICKER SAID 19. THE ENGINE SHAKES AT IDLE. IT HAS A LEAN IDLE MISS. THE SHAKING IS VERY BAD AT TIMES. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT RIGHT, CAUSING BAD GAS MILEAGE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS THEY ALL SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM. BUT 14 MILES TO THE GAL IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.*AK
VEHICLE FAILED TO START DUE TO ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM LOCKING MODE KICKING IN. VEHICLE SHOWED NO SIGNS OF HAVING POWER, AND WOULDN'TSTART UNTIL THE FOLLOWING DAY. DEALER STATED THAT FORD ENGINEERS WERE LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 40-50 MPH, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT, RESULTING IN INJURIES.*AK *TT
VEHICLE WAS GOING 40-45MPH AND UPON IMPACT, PASSENGER'S FRONT TIRE FELL DUE TO CARTER PIN POSSIBLY NOT BEING ATTACHED. BRACKET WHERE THE CARTER PIN WAS HELD DIDN'T SHOW ANY INDENTATIONS OR FRAGMENT PIECES OF PIN BEING IN TACK. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND STATED IT WAS VERY UNUSAL FOR THIS TYPE OF IMPACT. *AK *JG
A DOME LIGHT COMES ON AFTER DOOR IS OPENED AND STAYS ON FOR 25 SECONDS. THIS LIGHT IS SO BRIGHT THAT DRIVER IS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. ALSO, UNABLE TO CUT LIGHT OFF OR DIM IT. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK
I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE TRUCK NOW BECAUSE IF THE AIRBAG GOES OFF, IT WILL HURT ME. *AK
Official recalls
309V399000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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