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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,688 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

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2002 Ford Ranger Owner Comments

problem #13

Feb 092009

Ranger

  • 32,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Ranger. The contact stated he heard a clicking noise coming from the engine while driving various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the contact was informed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 32,000 and the current mileage was 58,300.

- Xenia, OH, USA

problem #12

Jan 012004

Ranger

  • 12,000 miles
I own a 2002 Ford Ranger with a 3.0fev it has had the problem related to NHTSA id 10018746, Ford tsb 052212. While the truck was under warranty the dealers could not "find the problem" after the warranty ran out they found this issue and are willing to fix it for several hundred dollars.

- Winter Haven, FL, USA

problem #11

Feb 212002

Ranger

  • miles
On 02-21-2010 my 2002 Ford Ranger started on fire. I was returning home with in less then 5mins my car was burst into flames. After the fire department came to my aid there was nothing left of my truck. I received the recall notice from Ford in 12-2010 and took my truck in for the recall repair. This was 3 weeks before the fire. Even with the recall my truck burst into flames leaving nothing but the frame.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #10

Oct 112009

Ranger

  • 146,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Ranger. While driving 35 mph the vehicle began to over heat and smoke came out of the engine. The contact was able to stop the vehicle and shut the engine off; however, as soon as he shut the engine off, the vehicle caught fire. The contact attempted to extinguish the fire and was unsuccessful. The entire vehicle was engulfed in flames and was completely destroyed. The cause of the fire has not been determined. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 146,000.

- Chino Hills, CA, USA

problem #9

Feb 032004

Ranger

  • 20,000 miles
Having issues with my truck I thought might be transmission now the dealer says it is a cam sensor. The truck sputters and stops causing several near misses this has been an issue for several years but the dealer was not bale to find the problem.

- Winter Haven, FL, USA

problem #8

Apr 102008

Ranger

  • 64,000 miles
A rattle in the engine compartment of a 2002 Ford Ranger (64,000 miles) attributed to the timing chain. No damage yet, but I have asked around and found this to be a widespread problem and in some cases, leading to engine failure.

- Ellijay, GA, USA

problem #7

Oct 262007

Ranger 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 1 miles

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

Seat belt never stays connected ( pops out) all speeds. (5 yrs) I asked dealer about fixing he said my warranty expired buy a new one (Ford does not care about safety after warranty date) the airbag light will stay on for a week then off for a month then repeat ( 5 yrs) door ajar light has never turned off (maybe it will burn out so I don't see it anymore) tailgate latch replaced 3 times ( dang that cheap plastic) front end realigned numerous times (anti nascar, always turns right) engine shudders bad few times a year(bad gas maybe once, others probably not) coil pack replaced twice (im still under 60,000 miles) rear window leaks also :)

- Bartow, FL, USA

problem #6

May 062006

Ranger 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles
I owned a 2002 Ford Ranger with 45,000 miles on it. My daughter was driving it and came to a stop at an intersection after exiting an expressway. Black smoke started coming out of the engine compartment. Within 10 minutes, the trucks engine compartment and cockpit were completely engulfed in flames and the truck was destroyed.

- Ida, MI, USA

problem #5

Dec 022005

Ranger 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 66,941 miles
The contact stated while driving on the highway the #3 spark plug blew out of the engine. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic. Contacted the manufacturer, and the contact was told this problem was not covered under warranty. Repairs will be made at the contact's expense.

- Blaine , MN, USA

problem #4

Jan 312005

Ranger

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer was driving aproximately 10 mph, and while making a right turn, the vehicle stalled. Consumer lost control of steering and brakes.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #3

Jan 012003

Ranger 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

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

Since about 10,000 miles my engine has made a crackling noise under acceleration. 've talked to many other Ranger owners who are having the same problem. Some of them said they took their trucks to a dealership and the service department said the noise was from the timing in the engine and the problem could not be fixed. It was to my understanding that if a automotive company makes a mistake and it is not easily repairable and is frequent there should be a recall so the problem could be fixed. I'm going to sell my truck in the spring because of this problem. I have no idea if this timing problem will have any long term effect on the engine itself but I do not want to wait around and see since Ford only offers a 3 year 36,000 mile warranty and I have 45,000 miles on my truck.

- Crown Point, IN, USA

problem #2

Mar 082004

Ranger 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Intermittently while driving 35 mph vehicle stalled.vehicle was towed to the dealership and kept for two days, but could not duplicate or correct the problem.

- Pulaski, VA, USA

problem #1

Jan 052003

Ranger 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,000 miles
This vehicle is unsafe at high speeds. Recently I bought a used 2002 Ford Ranger XLT, w/ 4.0 liter engine, and I noted the 125 mph speedometer. Last evening an 18 wheeler cut into my lane and I quickly accelerated hitting about 90 mph on the interstate to avoid being crushed. However just as I was clearing the front end of the semi the engine began to faulter and the vehicle began to slow. Pressing on the accelerator didn't increase vehicle speed or engine RPM. I was scared out of my wits. I called the dealership that night and they agreed to look at the vehicle. Which they later deferred on (basically they knew of the defect). After talking to several service department reps at the dealership I was told the fuel ejectors are designed to cut out at high speeds. I pressed further and talked to other dealerships to find out the vehicle has been deteremined unsafe at high speeds by Ford, so this safety feature was incorporated in the vehicle. I got little "positive" responses when I asked why a)the speedomoter went to 125 mph (noting that oler vehichles manufactured in the mid to late 1980's only had 85 mph speedometers) B)why am I paying several thousand dolars for a 4.0 liter engine and C) why is this unsafe condition not disclosed anywhere or at any time during my purchase" I asked if fatty foods are bad for me would I pay full price for a 2 lb. Steak and only be served a 6 oz. One" he had no response.

- Cottonwood, CA, USA

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