2002 Ford Ranger problems and complaints

Owners have filed 347 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford Ranger. The most-reported areas: Power Train (62), Vehicle Speed Control (51), Structure (49).

Key takeaways

  • 347 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 43 involve a crash, 12 a fire, 40 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Power Train6218%
Vehicle Speed Control5115%
Structure4914%
Engine And Engine Cooling3911%
Air Bags3711%
Suspension3610%
Tires309%
Service Brakes226%
Hydraulic206%
Electrical System175%
Seat Belts165%
Unknown Or Other144%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2002 Ford Ranger Regular CabNot ratedNot ratedNot rated2/5
2002 Ford Ranger SupercabNot ratedNot ratedNot rated2/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Wheels - filed 2025-08-02

Steel rim came apart while adding air to tire causing severe injuries to hands leg and foot only 20 psi in tire pressure when rim blew apart !

Vehicle Speed Control - filed 2024-01-17

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. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V399000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The local dealer w...

Structure - filed 2021-11-21

Extreme rusting of the entire frame and underside steel components. Attachments are rusting to the point of failure and falling off the vehicle.

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More for the 2002 Ford Ranger

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.