Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Ford Ranger
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Ford Ranger has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 346 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09V399000 SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E025000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07V336000 SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E065000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E049000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V035000 FORD/REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL CASE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 61 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 51 complaints
- Structure 49 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 39 complaints
- Air Bags 37 complaints
- Suspension 36 complaints
Of the 346 complaints on file, 43 report a crash and 12 a fire; across all 346 complaints, owners report 40 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Ford Ranger has encountered significant recall issues, primarily with the speed control system and exterior lighting, affecting its reliability. Complaints focus on the power train and engine cooling, indicating potential long-term issues.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| power train | 100,000–150,000 miles | $1,000–$3,000 | very common |
| speed control | 80,000–120,000 miles | $150–$500 | common |
| engine cooling | 90,000–130,000 miles | $300–$800 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Brake pad replacement
- Coolant flush
- Transmission fluid change
- Tire rotation and alignment
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Overheating engine
- Unresponsive brake pedal
- Unusual shifting noises
- Warning lights for speed control
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Ford Ranger at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.