2002 Ford Ranger

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Ford Ranger
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Ranger Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1983: 11 complaints 1983 1984: 12 complaints 1985: 27 complaints 1986: 35 complaints 1987: 50 complaints 1988: 89 complaints 1988 1989: 73 complaints 1990: 105 complaints 1991: 132 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 232 complaints 1993 1994: 438 complaints 1995: 321 complaints 1996: 413 complaints 1997: 411 complaints 1998: 576 complaints 1998 1999: 755 complaints 2000: 670 complaints 2001: 515 complaints 2002: 346 complaints 2002 2003: 243 complaints 2003 2004: 404 complaints 2005: 289 complaints 2006: 271 complaints 2007: 267 complaints 2008: 324 complaints 2008 2009: 168 complaints 2010: 156 complaints 2011: 235 complaints 2014: 1 complaints 2016: 1 complaints 2016 2017: 1 complaints 2019: 260 complaints 2020: 119 complaints 2021: 105 complaints 2022: 36 complaints 2022 2023: 17 complaints 2024: 55 complaints 2025: 27 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
2002: 346 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
198311
198412
198527
198635
198750
198889
198973
1990105
1991132
1992189
1993232
1994438
1995321
1996413
1997411
1998576
1999755
2000670
2001515
2002346
2003243
2004404
2005289
2006271
2007267
2008324
2009168
2010156
2011235
20141
20161
20171
2019260
2020119
2021105
202236
202317
202455
202527
20263

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 13%

13% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 45 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

RECENTLY MY TRUCK UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED AS I WAS BACKING UP IN DRIVEWAY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200819

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2002 FORD RANGER. ON MARCH 11, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AS I WAS TURNING AROUND NEAR THE NEW PHILADELPHIA POST OFFICE AROUND MY LUNCHTIME. I HAD MY FOOT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020403

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and attempting to switch lanes, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240117

SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 28 distinct reports on file.

STRUCTURE 7%

7% of complaints: structure — 23 distinct reports on file.

TIRES 5%

5% of complaints: tires — 19 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 19 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

2002 — complaint volume: 346
R 20020329 — power train

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 W

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 FR

Campaign 02V035000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060701 — 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 N

Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060731 — 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 RE

Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Campaign 06E065000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070813 — vehicle 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, S

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

Campaign 07V336000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — 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 CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20091027 — vehicle 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

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 CO

Campaign 09V399000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (45 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (28 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V035000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E065000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V336000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2022 ▲ 1986 ▲ 1987

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ■ 2000 ■ 1998

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Ford Ranger reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Ford Ranger is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Ranger?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 13% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Ranger have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.