2002 Ford RANGER: complaints, problems and recalls

2002 RANGERS ARE APPARENTLY EQUIPPED WITH A SPEED CONTROL CHIP THAT LIMITS TOP END SPEED AND RPM'S. I WAS NOT INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS GOING TO BE CRIPPLED BY THIS DEVICE OR I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT. WHEN DRIVING IN THE WESTERN US, THIS LIMITER HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT 4 TIMES. FORD SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO TELL BUYERS THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A SPEED LIMITER BEFORE THE SALE IS CLOSED.

Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000242 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *JG *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 498 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001501 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER STATES WHEN DRIVING 60MPH THE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY, AND THE WHEELS LEAVES THE PAVEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001517 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE A 2002 FORD RANGER, I HAVE TOOK IT IN 4 TIMES FOR SERVICE ON THE BRAKES.THEY TELL ME NOW THEY FIND NOTHING WRONG, BUT THE SHAKING STERING WHEEL CONTINUES. LONG LEWIS FORD OF MUSCLE SHOALS,AL IS THE DEALER.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002932 at NHTSA ↗

THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED WHILE DRIVING. CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL, AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS VERY LOW. I BROUGHT THE FLUID LEVEL TO NORMAL LEVELS, AND NOTICED THAT IT LEAKS TRANSMISSION FLUID VERY BADLY.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003014 at NHTSA ↗

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT P225/70R15 TIRE ON RIGHT FRONT OF 2002 FORD RANGER XLT 4 DOOR EXTENDED CAB TRUCK BLOWS AND CAUSES LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE RESULTING IN SEVERE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND INJURIES TO DRIVER AND PASSENGER

Owner-reported narrative. 6,189 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003417 at NHTSA ↗

BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT CAUSING INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004834 at NHTSA ↗

PURCHASED A NEW 2002 FORD RANGER 4X4 4DR XCAB WITH THE 4.0 ENGINE. VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION # [XXX], ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2002. AFTER COMING TO STOP, ENGINE HAS SURGED. FIRST TIME RPM WENT TO 1500 AND COULD KEEP THE TRUCK IN PLACE WITH BRAKE PRESSURE. TOOK TO DEALER FOR 3000 SERVICE IN DECEMBER AND REPORTED PROBLEM. DEALER PERFORMED NORMAL 3000 SERVICE AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS, HOWEVER THEY ASKED TO BE INFORMED IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS TIME ENGINE SURGED TO OVER 3000 RPM AND COULD NOT KEEP TRUCK STOPPED PUSHING INTO ANOTHER TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. WE…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,185 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005114 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2002-02-04 (February 4, 2002)

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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2007-08-03 (August 3, 2007)

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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2009-10-13 (October 13, 2009)

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.

Remedy: 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.