Complaints:
Looking to buy a used Ford Ranger? Here are some complaints / problems and recalls to be aware of.
Transmission:
- O/D light flashes. Shifts hard.
- Delayed shifts / rough shifts
Miscellaneous Electrical:
- Door ajar light & dome light come on when the door is closed. (Lubricate door latch. May need knew latch).
- Vehicle accelerates on its own. [Numerous reports] (Appears to be a cruise control problem).
- Vehicle accelerates while braking. [Numerous reports] (Appears to be a cruise control problem).
Suspension:
- Shackles and spring mounts rust.
- FX4 differential can crack under high torque.
Seat Belts / Air Bag:
- Air bags did not deploy during collision. [Numerous reports]
- Seat belts disconnect while driving. [Several reports]
Structure:
- Excessive frame rust. In some cases, the spare tire falls off or hangs loose. [Several reports]
Miscellaneous:
- Vehicle caught fire under the hood. [Few reports]
Recalls:
2002 Ford Ranger VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL NHTSA Campaign #09V399000
Date Announced: OCTOBER 13, 2009 Vehicles Affected: 4,500,000
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Actions: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on October 27, 2009. Owners may contact Ford at 1-888-222-2751. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 09V399000 »
2002 Ford Ranger EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HEADLIGHTS NHTSA Campaign #09E025000
Date Announced: MAY 11, 2009 / Vehicles Affected: 42,540
Summary: Dope, Inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, “lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.” These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Consequence: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Actions: Dope, Inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, Inc. At 1-626-272-1798. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 09E025000 »
2002 Ford Ranger EXTERIOR LIGHTING NHTSA Campaign #09E012000
Date Announced: APRIL 07, 2009 Vehicles Affected: 16,270
Summary: Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, “lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.” These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Consequence: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Actions: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 09E012000 »
2002 Ford Ranger VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL NHTSA Campaign #07V336000
Date Announced: AUGUST 03, 2007 / Vehicles Affected: 3,600,000
Summary: 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.
Consequence: This could result in an underhood fire.
Actions: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected October 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on August 13, 2007, and mailing completed by September 19, 2007. Owners may contact Ford at 1-888-222-2751. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 07V336000 »
2002 Ford Ranger EXTERIOR LIGHTING NHTSA Campaign #06E065000
Date Announced: JULY 17, 2006 / Vehicles Affected: 3,593
Summary: Certain aj motorsport combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Consequence: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.
Actions: Aj motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the lamps. The recall began on July 31, 2006. Owners may contact aj motorsport at 626-618-2026. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 06E065000 »
2002 Ford Ranger EXTERIOR LIGHTING NHTSA Campaign #06E049000
Date Announced: MAY 24, 2006 / Vehicles Affected: 27,176
Summary: Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Consequence: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Actions: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 06E049000 »
2002 Ford Ranger POWER TRAIN: DRIVELINE: DIFFERENTIAL UNIT NHTSA Campaign #02V035000
Date Announced: FEBRUARY 04, 2002 Vehicles Affected: 1,096
Summary: 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.
Consequence: Differential fractures could potentially result in wheel lock-up.
Actions: Dealers will replace the rear axle assembly. Owner notification began March 29, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 02V035000 »
If you have information about known problems or recalls for the Ford Ranger, please use the ‘Submit Problem / Recall’ button below.
