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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,196 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2002 Ford Ranger Owner Comments

problem #14

Jul 232020

Ranger

  • 70,200 miles

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

The rear strap that holds the fuel tank is hanging down. On closer inspection, the mount that is connected/part of the frame has completely corroded and is now missing. I only noticed the problem when the "check fuel cap" and I started to try and locate the problem.

- Pittsfield, MA, USA

problem #13

Aug 152017

Ranger

  • 115,000 miles
Rear tire fell out onto road, rotted carrier, frame rotted at axle, cracked in half while driving on highway, rear end shifted, can know longer drive vehicle safely, had to buy new truck days later! body in good shape, frame totally rotted! so many other complaints about same thing on google search. Toyota Toyota had same thing, we called all their trucks and replaced all truck F we called all their trucks and replaced all truck frames frames, still to this day Ford has not recognized a major problem with their frames!!! these vehicles are a major safety hazard on the road and a recall needs to happen !!

- Montvale, NJ, USA

problem #12

Jan 032019

Ranger

  • 100,000 miles
Transmission stuck in 4X4 low

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #11

Mar 042018

Ranger

  • 224,000 miles

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

Rear bumper and spare tire holder rotted off.. rear shackles on both sides.. gas tank straps and crossmember that holds it up... now the frame has rotted in half right in middle of truck... spare tire fell off while driving

- Norwich, CT, USA

problem #10

Sep 122016

Ranger

  • 232,000 miles
I bought my Ranger new, it currently has 232,000 miles. Frame rust is so bad it is unsafe to drive. Rear spring shackle mounts rusted away, bed is resting on springs. Rust rains from underneath when hood is allowed to close. Brake line mounts are nearly gone, as is gas tank straps. I have never seen frame rot this bad, even in northern states where road salt is used.

- Saint Marys, GA, USA

problem #9

Aug 052016

Ranger

  • 126,520 miles
Was pulling into friends driveway when I heard a cracking noise when I checked the left rear spring hanger pulled out of the rusted frame. I pulled off the bed of the truck and found several areas which were severely rusted including the spare tire carrier and the straps which hold up the gas tank. I am the original owner of the vehicle and have lived in Pennsylvania the whole time.

- Felton, PA, USA

problem #8

Nov 122015

Ranger

  • 42,000 miles

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

Frame is rusted out. Just noticed during servicing vehicle.

- Marshall, NC, USA

problem #7

Aug 132015

Ranger

  • 56,000 miles
2002 Ford Ranger XLT, failed inspection because of severe rust that developed on the front left sub frame, a arm bolt points and control arm points. The extent of rust is so severe that the mechanic doesn't believe the vehicle can be salvaged, because there is a nothing solid enough left to weld a patch or replacement piece to. The truck body is in perfect shape no other rust except the frame. The damage was only visible when the factory front skid plate was removed by the inspecting mechanic. The trucks factory warranty at the time of discovery exceeded the ten year time limit, but was still under the mileage portion.

- Evans Mills , NY, USA

problem #6

Oct 262012

Ranger

  • 31,000 miles
Brought truck into service center for noise in front. Raised truck to inspect---- complete undercariage rusted beyond belief, front to rear bolts, nuts, brackets, frame, shocks, etc. Main concern is frame, brake lines --- had to have rear leaf spring support and bracket replaced because it was ready to break. Had shocks replaced because they looked like they could bust at any time. This is a truck with less than 32,000 miles --- body still looks great but underneath is questionable is there a recall or something I can fall back on "??"

- Crescent Springs , KY, USA

problem #5

Mar 172004

Ranger 4-cyl

  • miles
The radiator on my 2002 Ford Ranger had to be replaced on March 5, 2004. On March 17, 2004 a 30" X 7" X 6" plastic deflector located behind the radiator dropped and caught a ridge on a snow covered road sending the truck into a snow covered embankment. When I went to whaling city Ford and told them what happened and said they must not have put the deflector back on properly they said the deflector must have come off as a result of striking the embankment. They claim that marks on the deflector show it got damaged at that time. However, other than what happened to the end that dropped to the roadway, the marks on the deflector are from having to twist and turn the deflector to break it off from the driver side of the truck since the truck could not be driven with the deflector hanging half way off and scraping along the road surface. The radiator did not get damaged and the radiator is forward of the deflector. The impact with the embankment was so slight that the air bag failed to deploy and that would not have knocked a properly secured part off the truck. There was no damage to anything other than the bumper from the impact with the embankment. Furthermore, the side of the deflector that dropped had a plastic pin (meant to hold the deflector in place) still in the middle of three holes while the other two holes appear to have had nothing in them. We filed a complaint on Ford's web site on 12 Apr 04 and they have, at this writing, refused to help. They have also refused to answer any questions we submitted by E-mail. We have the failed part and are willing to show it to anyone who is interested.

- Waterford, CT, USA

problem #4

Jul 152003

Ranger

  • Manual transmission
  • 14,000 miles

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

R door power window inop fixed prolem noticed paint peeling on hood edge took in for repairs they repainted only around the edges, picked up truck today needs to go back so they can fix tape line on edge of hood and found another chip where they just painted

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #3

Sep 152001

Ranger

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29 miles
Have tried since the vehicle was new, to get out what appeared to be water spots. Took it to the dealer, they "acid washed" it two times. It looked better, but was still spotted, and now scratched. I have tried waxes and polishes of many brands and they still remain. The truck has only 6000 plus miles, always washed and garaged. The color is dp wdg blue.

- Rochester, WA, USA

problem #2

Aug 012003

(reported on)

Ranger 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The jack broke when the consumer was changing a tire. The spare tire was a different size from the regular tires which caused rear end noise. The brakes locked up when the consumer attempted to stop which caused an accident. The dealer replaced the brake shoes. The rear door and speakers vibrated when the radio was in use. The dealer repositioned the loose insulation. When the cruise control was activated the vehicle made noise and the accelerator pedal vibrated. The dealer replaced the accelerator cable and pedal. When accelerating the vehicle made a loud noise.

- Debuque, IA, USA

problem #1

Mar 062002

Ranger

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While the consumer was driving intense heat comes from the dashboard. Took the vehicle to the dealer and the dealer unable to remedy the problem.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

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