2002 Ford Ranger
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.
- Complaints
- 346
- Recalls
- 7
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Power train
Campaigns on file for 2002
None on file
18% of complaints
Complaints per year
2002: 346 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 11 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1985 | 27 |
| 1986 | 36 |
| 1987 | 51 |
| 1988 | 90 |
| 1989 | 73 |
| 1990 | 106 |
| 1991 | 133 |
| 1992 | 191 |
| 1993 | 235 |
| 1994 | 455 |
| 1995 | 321 |
| 1996 | 413 |
| 1997 | 411 |
| 1998 | 576 |
| 1999 | 755 |
| 2000 | 670 |
| 2001 | 515 |
| 2002 | 346 |
| 2003 | 243 |
| 2004 | 404 |
| 2005 | 289 |
| 2006 | 271 |
| 2007 | 270 |
| 2008 | 326 |
| 2009 | 168 |
| 2010 | 156 |
| 2011 | 235 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 269 |
| 2020 | 129 |
| 2021 | 117 |
| 2022 | 37 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 87 |
| 2025 | 43 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Power train
18% · 63 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.
Vehicle speed control
15% · 51 reportsMost commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.
Show complaint excerpts
Recently my truck unintentionally accelerated as I was backing up in driveway causing an accident.
NHTSA ODI report, 2020-08-19
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, 2002-04-03
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, 2024-01-17
Structure
14% · 49 reportsMost commonly citing body and underbody shields.
Engine and engine cooling
12% · 40 reportsMost commonly citing gasoline and engine.
Air bags
11% · 38 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.
Show complaint excerpts
Hard front end collision with telephone pole. Ice on road. Total damage, vehicle status is scrap. Driver injury. Head and jaw. Air bag did not deploy. This is second front collision. First collision, vehicle was repaired. Struck by wrong way driver.
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-11-01
My son was driving his Ford Ranger xl 2002 when due to a pedestrian, the car in front of him slammed on their brakes causing my son to rear end them. Snowy weather was a factor. The brakes didn't catch as they should have.
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-01-21
Also filed under Service brakes
Vehicle was involved in a head on collision and neither air bag deployed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-08
Safety timeline
7 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2002Complaint volume 346 complaints filed for this model year.
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R
2002-03-29Power train02V035000 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…
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…
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R
2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 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…
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.
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R
2006-07-31Exterior lighting06E065000 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…
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.
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2007-08-13Vehicle speed control07V336000 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…
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…
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R
2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…
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.
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R
2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…
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.
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R
2009-10-27Vehicle speed control09V399000 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…
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…
Buy-smart checklist
2002 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Power train: 63 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 51 reports on file for this year.
- Structure: 49 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 02V035000 · Power train
- Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E065000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 07V336000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09V399000 · Vehicle speed control
Other years of this model
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 power train, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Ranger have?
- 7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.