Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford Ranger, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train61
- Vehicle speed control51
- Structure49
- Engine and engine cooling39
- Air bags37
- Suspension36
- Tires29
- Service brakes, hydraulic20
- Electrical system17
- Seat belts16
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 40 injuries and 2 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 100 2002 Ranger vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 78 people died inside them, and 33 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2002 Ford Ranger failed the safety check 2.16% of the time — 8% more often than the average 2002 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 144,527 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
0 cars built in 2002 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 2 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 881 of these cars first registered in 2002 took their annual MOT test. 57% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2002 the figure was 58%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2002 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 23.5% | 20.8% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 18.5% | 9.7% |
| Suspension | 16.7% | 15.8% |
| Brakes | 14.6% | 13.6% |
| Visibility | 8.6% | 7.7% |
| Tyres | 3.6% | 6.0% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 8 variants: combined 10.3–16.1 L/100 km (about 15–23 mpg US), CO₂ 237–370 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 11.2 | 9.1 | 10.3 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 13.0 | 10.3 | 11.8 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 14.3 | 11.5 | 13.0 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.1 | 11.8 | 13.6 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.4 | 11.7 | 13.7 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.7 | 11.9 | 14.0 |
| Ranger 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 16.9 | 13.5 | 15.4 |
| Ranger 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 18.0 | 13.7 | 16.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2002 Ford Ranger.
| 2009292 14 Oct 2009 | Other On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The condition may occur ei… |
| 2007258 7 Aug 2007 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The failure mode appears t… |
| 2002017 31 Jan 2002 | Powertrain Certain manual transmission trucks equipped with the FX4 package. The rear axle differential case could fracture under a high torque event such as when customer… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 2002 Ford Ranger: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 637924 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.3L, 3.0L OR 4.0L ENGINE AND 5R44E OR 5R55E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A FLUID LEAK AT THE TRANSMISSION SERVO COVERS IN COLD CLIMATES. *TT |
| 637922 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 9/15/2001 MAY EXHIBIT LOW LINE PRESSURE READINGS WHILE IN DRIVE, NO 2ND GEAR, NO 3RD GEAR, NO ENGINE BRAKING IN MANUAL 1ST AND SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS. *TT |
| 637920 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0 SOHC (SINGLE OVER-HEAD CAM) ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A PRIMARY TIMING CHAIN RATTLE NOISE. *TT |
| 637835 | SOME XLT MODLES MAY EXHIBIT WRINKLED, LOOSE, OR BAGGY FABRIC ON THE FRONT SEATING SURFACE. *TT |
| 637794 | SUBJECT REGARDING PIONEER TREMOR / ULTIMATE 450 WATT AUDIO SYSTEM WHINE NOISE. *TT |
| 637755 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO 1-2 UPSHIFT, NO 2-3 UPSHIFT, A NO ENGINE BRAKING CONDITION IN MANUAL 1 OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0732 (GEAR 2 INCORRECT RATIO) OR P0733 (GEAR 3 INCORRECT RATIO). *TT |
| 637744 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A DISENGAGED FAN CLUTCH BEARING SQUEAL NOISE IN COLD WEATHER. *TT |
| 637726 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN INTERMITTENT SOFT CLUTCH PEDAL WHICH MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN SHIFTING GEARS (A NOTCHY FEEL). *TT |
| 637719 | SUBJECT REGARDING A WHINE NOISE CONDITION FROM THE SPEAKERS WHEN USING THE RADIO OR THE CD WITH THE PIONEER TREMORE / PIONEER ULTIMATE 450 WATT AUDIO SYSTEM. *TT |
| 637710 | SOME VEHICLES WITH 4WABS MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES C1233 AND C1234 (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR OUTPUT FAILURE). *TT |
| 637542 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4WABS MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES C1233 AND C1234 (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR OUTPUT FAILURE). *TT |
| 637478 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5R55E/5R44E TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A WHINE NOISE IN 1ST GEAR THAT GOES AWAY AFTER THE 1-2 OR 1-3 SHIFT IS COMPLETED. *TT |
| 636326 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SQUEAK, SNAP, RATTLE, OR CLUNK IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS. *TT |
| 636260 | SOME VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE INTO 4X4 LOW CONDITION WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS 0 DEGREES F (-18 C) OR COLDER. *TT |
| 636235 | EXPERIENCING A CLICKING / POPPING NOISE FROM THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN AREA WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TT |
| 636233 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 5R55E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A GEAR WHINE TYPE NOISE IN 1ST AND / OR 2ND GEARS ONLY. *TT |
| 636212 | SOME VEHICLES WITH 4WABS MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES C1233 AND C1234 (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR OUTPUT FAILURES) IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. *TT |
| 636210 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH PASIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM MAY EXHIBIT A NO CRANK / NO START CONDITION AND NO COMMUNICATION WITH NGS OR WDS FROM THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). *TT |
| 636170 | SOME VEHICLES MAY AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A SHIFT LEVER THAT WILL NOT RELEASE OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. *TT |
| 636135 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 03/04/2002 AND EQUIPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A HARD TO SHIFT CONDITION. *TT |
| 636130 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.3L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE OIL LEAK CONDITION. *TT |
| 636116 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.3L ENGINE AND NO AIR CONDITIONING, MAY SET DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1460 (WIDE OPEN THROTTLE AIR CONDITIONER OUTPUT PRIMARY CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION) AND P1474 (LOW FAN CONTROL (LFC) PRIMARY CIRCUIT FAILURE. *TT |
| 636110 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT FUEL DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171, P0172, P0174, P0175 OR MASS AIR FLOW DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0102, P0103, P0112, P0113. *TT |
| 636108 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.0L EFI (NON-FFV) ENGINE, MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE QUIT CONDITION UPON DECELERATION AND / OR AT A STOP. *TT |
| 636087 | SOME 4X2 VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A PULL TO RIGHT OR LEFT WHILE BRAKING. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)