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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

39 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

2002 FORD RANGER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY DEFECT WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING AS HE LEFT OFF THE ACCELERATOR TO MAKE A TURN , THE ENGINE RPM'S DROPPED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED IDLING ERRATICALLY AND ALMOST SLATTED OUT COMPLETELY. THE CONSU…

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2002 FORD RANGER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY DEFECT WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING AS HE LEFT OFF THE ACCELERATOR TO MAKE A TURN , THE ENGINE RPM'S DROPPED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED IDLING ERRATICALLY AND ALMOST SLATTED OUT COMPLETELY. THE CONSUMER READ ON A WEBSITE WHERE A PLASTIC PLUG COULD COME OUT OF THE FRONT OF THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. HE REMOVED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND SOON AFTER, HE DISCOVERED THE PLASTIC PLUG AND ABOUT A 3/8 HOLE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE HOLE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE VACUUM IN THE SYSTEM, THEREFORE IT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ERRATIC IDLE/STALL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WELDED THE PART BACK TOGETHER AFTER LEARNING IT WOULD COST ANYWHERE FROM $500-$1000 TO REPLACE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10469811

32,000 miles · Jun 15, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED HE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 A…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED HE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,300.

NHTSA ODI #10406936

12,000 miles · Aug 27, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I OWN A 2002 FORD RANGER WITH A 3.0FEV IT HAS HAD THE PROBLEM RELATED TO NHTSA ID 10018746, FORD TSB 052212. WHILE THE TRUCK WAS UNDER WARRANTY THE DEALERS COULD NOT "FIND THE PROBLEM" AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT THEY FOUND THIS ISSUE AND ARE WILLING TO FIX IT FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352302

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFire

ON 02-21-2010 MY 2002 FORD RANGER STARTED ON FIRE. I WAS RETURNING HOME WITH IN LESS THEN 5MINS MY CAR WAS BURST INTO FLAMES. AFTER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO MY AID THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT OF MY TRUCK. I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD IN 12-2010 AND TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THIS WAS 3 WEEKS BEFORE THE FIRE.…

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ON 02-21-2010 MY 2002 FORD RANGER STARTED ON FIRE. I WAS RETURNING HOME WITH IN LESS THEN 5MINS MY CAR WAS BURST INTO FLAMES. AFTER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO MY AID THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT OF MY TRUCK. I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD IN 12-2010 AND TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THIS WAS 3 WEEKS BEFORE THE FIRE. EVEN WITH THE RECALL MY TRUCK BURST INTO FLAMES LEAVING NOTHING BUT THE FRAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313933

91,000 miles · Oct 27, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE ACCELERATING OR ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE THE ENGINE STARTS TO CUT OFF LIKE IT IS STARVING FOR FUEL. STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO AND CONTINUES TO THIS DATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290035

146,000 miles · Oct 14, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVER HEAT AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF; HOWEVER, AS SOON AS HE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVER HEAT AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF; HOWEVER, AS SOON AS HE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

NHTSA ODI #10287408

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE VEHICLES ENGINE SHUTS OFF AS IT IS BEING ACCELERATED, OR AT CRUISING SPEED. THE ENGINE IS THE ONLY SYSTEM AFFECTED BUT CAUSES VEHICLE TO BE UNDRIVABLE FOR AROUND 5-10 SECONDS UNTIL VEHICLE PUTS ITSELF BACK IN GEAR AFTER SHUTTING OFF. THIS OCCURS RANDOMLY SOMETIMES RIGHT AWAY AFTER VEHICLE IS STARTED AND MOVED OR OTHER TIMES…

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THE VEHICLES ENGINE SHUTS OFF AS IT IS BEING ACCELERATED, OR AT CRUISING SPEED. THE ENGINE IS THE ONLY SYSTEM AFFECTED BUT CAUSES VEHICLE TO BE UNDRIVABLE FOR AROUND 5-10 SECONDS UNTIL VEHICLE PUTS ITSELF BACK IN GEAR AFTER SHUTTING OFF. THIS OCCURS RANDOMLY SOMETIMES RIGHT AWAY AFTER VEHICLE IS STARTED AND MOVED OR OTHER TIMES AFTER LONGER PERIODS OF DRIVING. IT HAS OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE COMES BACK AND IT DOES PUT ITSELF BACK INTO GEAR AND YOU START TO ACCELERATE AGAIN IT WILL CUT OFF. IT HAS CAUSED OPERATOR NOT TO BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE ONTO HIGHWAYS, PULL OUT ONTO ROADS, OR TO MAINTAIN CRUISING SPEEDS IN ROADS OR HIGHWAYS. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS 3 TIMES. EACH TIME THE ENGINE CONTROL RELAY DIODE HAS BEEN CHANGED AND BLAMED FOR PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CONNECTED TO COMPUTER AND DRIVEN(FIRST TIME AT FORD REPAIR SHOP), THE ENGINE HAS CUT OUT CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP ACCELERATING AND THE COMPUTER SHOWS THAT NOTHING IS HAPPENING. IT CONTINUES TO READ THAT THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING FINE.I HAVE PERSONALLY REPLACED COIL PACK, AND THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THE FIRST TIME DIODE WAS REPLACED THE VEHICLE RAN FOR ALMOST 8 MONTHS THEN PROBLEM RECURRED. IT WAS TAKEN TO FORD AND DIODE REPLACED AGAIN, THIS TIME LASTING ONLY 2-3 MONTHS. IT WAS TAKEN TO FORD THE 3RD TIME FOR DIODE TO BE REPLACED, THIS TIME LASTING ONLY 2 WEEKS. I CALLED THE FORD SHOP AND SPOKE TO MANAGER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY THE ENGINE WAS CUTTING OUT. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THEM TO GET AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO FIX MY VEHICLE, SO I WAS TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285937

20,000 miles · Feb 3, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

HAVING ISSUES WITH MY TRUCK I THOUGHT MIGHT BE TRANSMISSION NOW THE DEALER SAYS IT IS A CAM SENSOR. THE TRUCK SPUTTERS AND STOPS CAUSING SEVERAL NEAR MISSES THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR SEVERAL YEARS BUT THE DEALER WAS NOT BALE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10257339

64,000 miles · Aug 17, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

A RATTLE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF A 2002 FORD RANGER (64,000 MILES) ATTRIBUTED TO THE TIMING CHAIN. NO DAMAGE YET, BUT I HAVE ASKED AROUND AND FOUND THIS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND IN SOME CASES, LEADING TO ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10238597

62,000 miles · May 27, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT UNIT HOWEVER, AFTER THE REPAIR THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LEAK COOLANT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC FOUND A SMALL HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. IN ADDITION, HE FOUND THAT THE ENGINE BLOC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT UNIT HOWEVER, AFTER THE REPAIR THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LEAK COOLANT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC FOUND A SMALL HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. IN ADDITION, HE FOUND THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK RUSTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #10228966

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.