Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
147,750 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Ford Ranger engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Ford Ranger:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2002 Ford Ranger Owner Comments

problem #6

Jul 112016

Ranger

  • 250,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My wife and I were driving on hwy 79from palistine tx to jacksonville tx Thursday 7/11/2016 when we noticed smoke coming out from under the truck we pulled over and noticed fire under the hood I tried to poor water on it all it did was just get worse and our truck all my work tools my lively hood blew up.

- Jacksonville, TX, USA

problem #5

Dec 162015

Ranger

  • 179,000 miles
Engine error code P303 displayed and engine missing on that cylinder. Ford tsb 05-26-3 states head replacement necessary to correct. This appears to be a generic issue with the 3.0 liter vulcan engines, . car will not pass emissions inspection until this is repaired.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #4

Jan 282015

Ranger 4-cyl

  • 44,500 miles
Engine ejected spark plug from cylinder number three. Mechanic said it is a common problem with Ford vehicles manufactured with an aluminum head. I am fortunate that this occurred while accelerating from a stop sign at only 20mph. At higher speeds, the mechanic said the spark plug may have ejected itself straight through the hood after which, the engine often catches fire because of the gasoline spurting out of the cylinder. Repair included a helicoil tap kit and new spark plugs. This is a very dangerous defect and should be addressed by Ford and all government safety agencies. This truck has very low mileage for it's age and has been taken very good care of. There is no reason why this should have happened other than faulty design and use of an aluminum head.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #3

Jul 182014

Ranger 6-cyl

  • 190,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was coming home from work and I went to park my truck in the front yard. When the truck was about to stop the engine roared, as if I really hit the gas pedal and I had to jam the car in park to get it to stop. Today, as I was coming home from work, I was coming to a four way stop in a school zone. When I was almost stopped the truck engine accelerated and I had to put the truck in park to get it to stop. I need to know is there a recall from Ford for this. I cannot let anyone else drive my truck for fear it will happen to them and they will not know what to do.

- Republic, MO, USA

problem #2

Feb 202014

Ranger 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
The 2002 Ford Ranger was coming to a complete stop at about 3 mph, when all of a sudden the truck accelerated really high. I threw the gear selector into neutral and it continued to race but the wheels were no longer spinning, I hit the gas pedal and then threw it back into drive with no further problems. This is very concerning and I need help please. Thank you.

- Salem, MA, USA

problem #1

Jan 092012

Ranger 4-cyl

  • 143,000 miles
I have a 2002 Ford Ranger 2.3L 4 cyl an when I start to drive my car will shift from 1st to 2nd so rough that my car jumps forward and then my overdrive light starts blinking and then everytime I press the gas from stopped it shifts very rough. I have been researching this problem and seems like a lot of people have this problem with this model. Also when I take off there is a loud vibration sounding like it is coming from the dash or engine compartment I don't know what this is about but figured I would add that in.

- Belleview, FL, USA

Not what you are looking for?