Complaints
449
Crashes
53
Fires
17
Injuries
46
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Ford Ranger Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#145 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
Avg mileage:84,550 mi
Crash-related:6
Fires:2
#228 complaints
Suspension Failures
Avg mileage:109,682 mi
#323 complaints
Body Structure
Avg mileage:101,995 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Ford Ranger.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unintended Acceleration | 45 | 6 | 2 | 84,550 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 28 | — | — | 109,682 mi | |
| Body Structure | 23 | — | — | 101,995 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 19 | — | — | 57,057 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 19 | 6 | — | 34,513 mi | |
| Airbags | 17 | 7 | 1 | 66,262 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 16 | 15 | — | 31,771 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 13 | — | 3 | 41,194 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 12 | — | 3 | 83,029 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 12 | 1 | — | 7,092 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 12 | — | — | 104,940 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 10 | — | — | 41,766 mi | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 9 | — | — | 54,062 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 9 | 1 | — | 81,945 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 9 | 1 | — | 70,274 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 9 | — | — | 125,984 mi | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 7 | — | — | 33,686 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 7 | 1 | 1 | 34,895 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 6 | — | 1 | 147,750 mi | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 6 | — | — | 37,588 mi | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 6 | 1 | — | 35,266 mi | |
| Other Equipment | 5 | 1 | 1 | 28,866 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 5 | — | — | 120,060 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 5 | 1 | — | 51,909 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 5 | 1 | — | 72,139 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 5 | 1 | — | 6,000 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 4 | — | 1 | — |
Unintended Acceleration
45
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
2
Avg Miles
84,550
Suspension Failures
28
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
109,682
Body Structure
23
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
101,995
Automatic Transmission
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
57,057
Tire Defects
19
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
34,513
Airbags
17
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
1
Avg Miles
66,262
Air Bags:Frontal
16
complaints
Crashes
15
Fires
—
Avg Miles
31,771
Engine & Cooling
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
41,194
Electrical Faults
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
83,029
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
7,092
Transmission / Drivetrain
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
104,940
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
41,766
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,062
Seat Belt Issues
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
81,945
Structure:Frame And Members
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,274
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
125,984
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
33,686
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
34,895
Engine Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
147,750
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
37,588
Tires:Tread/Belt
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
35,266
Other Equipment
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
28,866
Gasoline Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
120,060
Hydraulic Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
51,909
Steering Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
72,139
Wheel Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
6,000
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Ford Ranger. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Ranger Years
2002 Ford Ranger — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Ford Ranger reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2002 Ford Ranger has 449 NHTSA complaints, 53 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Unintended Acceleration with 45 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Ford Ranger?
Top reported problems: Unintended Acceleration (45 complaints, avg 84,550 mi); Suspension Failures (28 complaints, avg 109,682 mi); Body Structure (23 complaints, avg 101,995 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Ford Ranger?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 69,214 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Ford Ranger include 53 crash-related reports, 17 fire reports, 46 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Ford Ranger have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Ford Ranger as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 Ford Ranger?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Ranger reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Ford Ranger
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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