What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2002 Ford Ranger

Typical pattern

10.2% of complaints about the 2002 Ford Ranger came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2002 vehicle — around the middle of the 230 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.9 yr in service. The most-reported system is power train (59 complaints), typically at 4.3 yr or about 52,000 miles.

Complaints
420
Median age at failure
5.9 yr
Median mileage
59,825 n=286
Crash / fire / tow
15% of reports
Safety recalls
7

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Power train
59 reports · 52,000 mi
4.3 yr
3.4%
Structure
49 reports · 100,000 mi
12.6 yr
2%
Speed control
47 reports · 65,000 mi
5.9 yr
17%
Engine cooling
36 reports · 16,000 mi
2.0 yr
11.1%
Air bags
35 reports · 44,000 mi
2.3 yr
57.1%
Suspension
34 reports · 104,604 mi
11.5 yr
0%
Tires
26 reports · 40,000 mi
3.8 yr
23.1%
Service brakes, hydraulic
19 reports · 27,982 mi
2.5 yr
15.8%
Electrical system
17 reports · 80,000 mi
6.0 yr
23.5%
Seat belts
17 reports · 64,000 mi
4.8 yr
5.9%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

09V399000 2009-10-13
Speed control

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.

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

09E025000 2009-05-11
Exterior lighting:headlights

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

09E012000 2009-04-07
Exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

07V336000 2007-08-03
Speed control

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.

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

06E065000 2006-07-17
Exterior lighting

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

06E049000 2006-05-24
Exterior lighting

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

02V035000 2002-02-04
Power train:driveline:differential unit

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.

DIFFERENTIAL FRACTURES COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN WHEEL LOCK-UP.

In owners’ own words

Power train mileage not reported 3 mo in service
DEALER PRESENTED VEHICLE AS REPAIRED 12-22-1 (REPLACED SLAVE CYLINDER FOR CLUTCH). WAS STILL NOT DISENGAGING. STILL AT WILLEY FORD.
Power train mileage not reported 3 mo in service
THE CLUTCH FAILED WITH LESS THAN 100 MILES, WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. TOWED TO DEALER. *YD
Power train mileage not reported 3 mo in service
THE CLUTCH FAILED WITH LESS THAN 100 MILES, WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. TOWED TO DEALER. *YD
Air bags mileage not reported 4 mo in service crash / fire / tow
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40 AND 45 MPH VEHICLE HIT A PATCH OF BLACK ICE, AND DRIVER LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF TRUCK. FRONT END CRASHED INTO A WALL AND SPUN AROUND. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. TWO OCCUPANTS OF VEHICLE SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED TO DETERMINE CAUSE FOR FAILURE OF AIR BAGS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

Other Ranger model years

2024202220212020201920112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

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