NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
346 reports190,000 miles · Aug 22, 2014
EngineFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK AND I WENT TO PARK MY TRUCK IN THE FRONT YARD. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS ABOUT TO STOP THE ENGINE ROARED, AS IF I REALLY HIT THE GAS PEDAL AND I HAD TO JAM THE CAR IN PARK TO GET IT TO STOP. TODAY, AS I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK, I WAS COMING TO A FOUR WAY STOP IN A SCHOOL ZONE. WHEN I WAS ALMOST STOPPED TH…
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I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK AND I WENT TO PARK MY TRUCK IN THE FRONT YARD. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS ABOUT TO STOP THE ENGINE ROARED, AS IF I REALLY HIT THE GAS PEDAL AND I HAD TO JAM THE CAR IN PARK TO GET IT TO STOP. TODAY, AS I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK, I WAS COMING TO A FOUR WAY STOP IN A SCHOOL ZONE. WHEN I WAS ALMOST STOPPED THE TRUCK ENGINE ACCELERATED AND I HAD TO PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK TO GET IT TO STOP. I NEED TO KNOW IS THERE A RECALL FROM FORD FOR THIS. I CANNOT LET ANYONE ELSE DRIVE MY TRUCK FOR FEAR IT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM AND THEY WILL NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627630
105,000 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE LOOKING UNDER MY TRUCK I NOTICED THAT THE GAS TANK WAS HANGING DOWN ON ONE END (REAR) ALMOST THE GROUND, UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND THAT ONE OF THE TWO STRAPS THAT HOLD THE TANK UP TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK HAD BROKEN LOOSE, THE PART THAT ATTACHES THE STRAP TO THE TRUCK FRAME HAD RUSTED AWAY, I FEEL THIS IS A VER…
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WHILE LOOKING UNDER MY TRUCK I NOTICED THAT THE GAS TANK WAS HANGING DOWN ON ONE END (REAR) ALMOST THE GROUND, UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND THAT ONE OF THE TWO STRAPS THAT HOLD THE TANK UP TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK HAD BROKEN LOOSE, THE PART THAT ATTACHES THE STRAP TO THE TRUCK FRAME HAD RUSTED AWAY, I FEEL THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10626563
93,000 miles · Jul 18, 2014
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE REAR FRAME BECAME DETACHED ALONG WITH THE CROSS MEMBER, CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO FRACTURE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE TWO CROSS MEMBERS, THE FRAME BEDDING AND THE REAR FRAME WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE REAR FRAME BECAME DETACHED ALONG WITH THE CROSS MEMBER, CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO FRACTURE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE TWO CROSS MEMBERS, THE FRAME BEDDING AND THE REAR FRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
NHTSA ODI #10614637
Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2014
SteeringStructureSuspension
I TOOK MY 2002 FORD RANGER TRUCK IN FOR INSPECTION AND I WAS TOLD MY TRUCK WAS UNINSPECTABLE BECAUSE MY FRAME,CROSSMEMBER, FRONT AARMS ARE RUSTED THIN. IT ONLY HAS 80 SOME K ON IT I ONLY HAVE IT FOR 2YEARS I DON'T DRIVE VERY FAR I BOUGHT IT WITH 74K. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10607591
151,500 miles · Jul 1, 2014
Seat Belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE PROPER SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO SAFELY SECURE A CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE CHILD SEAT MANUFACTURER NOTED IN THE WARNING SECTION OF THE OWNERS MANUAL THAT THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT CAN NOT BE SECURE UTILIZING THE DOOR MOUNTED SEAT BELTS.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE PROPER SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO SAFELY SECURE A CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE CHILD SEAT MANUFACTURER NOTED IN THE WARNING SECTION OF THE OWNERS MANUAL THAT THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT CAN NOT BE SECURE UTILIZING THE DOOR MOUNTED SEAT BELTS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ANCHOR TO ACCOMMODATE THE LATCH SYSTEM COULD BE RETRO FITTED IN ORDER TO PROPERLY SECURE THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE THE PARTS THAT WOULD ALLOW THE LATCH SYSTEM TO BE RETRO FITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT INSTALLED THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,500.
NHTSA ODI #10607523
138,000 miles · Jun 9, 2014
StructureSuspension
I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK 1 YR AGO . I TOOK IT IN FOR INSPECTION AND FOUND THAT IT HAD SEVERE RUST PROBLEMS . THE SHACKLES FOR THE LEAF SPRING HAD COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY CAUSING THE SPRING TO REST UPON THE BOX. THE RESTRAINT FOR THE GAS TANK WAS ROTTED TO THE POINT THAT TANK WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. THERE WAS SEVERE RUSTING OF THE…
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I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK 1 YR AGO . I TOOK IT IN FOR INSPECTION AND FOUND THAT IT HAD SEVERE RUST PROBLEMS . THE SHACKLES FOR THE LEAF SPRING HAD COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY CAUSING THE SPRING TO REST UPON THE BOX. THE RESTRAINT FOR THE GAS TANK WAS ROTTED TO THE POINT THAT TANK WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. THERE WAS SEVERE RUSTING OF THE FRAME , ESPECIALLY IN THE REAR .OBVIOUSLY, THE TRUCK FAILED INSPECTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596999
95,000 miles · Apr 19, 2014
Power Train
VIOLENT MISSING, CHUGGING, JERKING UPON ACCELERATION. ACCELERATING ONTO HIGHWAY, ACCELERATING ON HIGHWAY, APPROX. 2500 - 3000 RPM. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 3.0 V6. NHTSA #10018746 ONLINE WITH MANY OTHERS REPORTING SAME PROBLEM. TRUCK WILL NOT ACCELERATE. INSTEAD JERKS AND HESITATES VIOLENTLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10583633
20,000 miles · Apr 16, 2014
StructureVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, HE ERRONEOUSLY DEPRESSED BOTH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND PROCEEDED THROUGH THE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, HE ERRONEOUSLY DEPRESSED BOTH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND PROCEEDED THROUGH THE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10583088
140,217 miles · Apr 5, 2014
StructureSuspension
YESTERDAY I HAD SOMETHING GO WRONG WITH MY FORD RANGER AND I NEEDED TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME. THIS PROBLEM WILL BE THE END OF MY WONDERFUL TRUCKS LIFE BECAUSE THE INSPECTION IS ALSO DUE AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST AND A CRACKED REAR FRAME, MY TRUCK WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO PASS INSPECTION. THE BODY, INTERIOR AND EN…
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YESTERDAY I HAD SOMETHING GO WRONG WITH MY FORD RANGER AND I NEEDED TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME. THIS PROBLEM WILL BE THE END OF MY WONDERFUL TRUCKS LIFE BECAUSE THE INSPECTION IS ALSO DUE AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST AND A CRACKED REAR FRAME, MY TRUCK WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO PASS INSPECTION. THE BODY, INTERIOR AND ENGINE ARE ALL IN GREAT SHAPE. THE SPARE TIRE SUPPORT IS ALMOST COMPLETELY EATEN AWAY AND THE GAS TANK SUPPORTS ROTTED AWAY YEARS AGO. MY MECHANIC HAD TO RIG A WIRE HANGER FOR THE GAS TANK. WHILE MY TRUCK WAS ON THE FLAT BED, THE MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT RANGERS ARE KNOW FOR THE FRAMES BEING EATEN AWAY. I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AND UNDERSTAND NOW HOW COMMON THIS PROBLEM IS. WHY HAS FORD NOT RECALLED THIS POORLY MADE FRAME JUST LIKE TOYOTA DID? IS IT BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM IT??? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10577601
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
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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