2002 Ford Ranger Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 61 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2002 Ford Ranger, 18% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 51,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “rear differential” (13% of reports).
- 61power train complaints
- 51,500median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 23%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Rear differential: mentioned in 8 of 61 complaints (13%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 42 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 61 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 1 a fire.
Ford Ranger power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Ranger | 2 | 29% | — |
| 2025 Ranger | 16 | 37% | — |
| 2024 Ranger | 37 | 40% | 3,600 |
| 2023 Ranger | 5 | 28% | 5,500 |
| 2022 Ranger | 17 | 46% | 41,000 |
| 2021 Ranger | 60 | 51% | 77,500 |
| 2020 Ranger | 49 | 38% | 80,000 |
| 2019 Ranger | 92 | 34% | 50,000 |
| 2011 Ranger | 5 | 2% | 30,000 |
| 2010 Ranger | 1 | 1% | 1,600 |
| 2009 Ranger | 3 | 2% | 25,000 |
| 2008 Ranger | 1 | 0% | 45,300 |
| 2007 Ranger | 2 | 1% | 30,900 |
| 2006 Ranger | 4 | 1% | 8,650 |
| 2005 Ranger | 8 | 3% | 62,170 |
| 2004 Ranger | 27 | 7% | 32,000 |
| 2003 Ranger | 16 | 7% | 24,500 |
| 2002 Ranger | 61 | 18% | 51,500 |
| 2001 Ranger | 51 | 10% | 53,000 |
| 2000 Ranger | 69 | 10% | 85,500 |
| 1999 Ranger | 67 | 9% | 59,102 |
| 1998 Ranger | 60 | 10% | 44,045 |
| 1997 Ranger | 42 | 10% | 84,990 |
| 1996 Ranger | 28 | 7% | 50,579 |
| 1995 Ranger | 22 | 7% | 181,313 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train:driveline:differential unit
Problem: 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.
Risk: Differential fractures could potentially result in wheel lock-up.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Driving to work rear end locked up and exploded while driving. My head hit the steering wheel. There was a recall on 2002 ford ranger fx2 axle but only for manual transmission when research shows it does it on automatic ones to. Looked up recall documents and symptoms and everything was the exact…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. EBY FORD LINCOLN (LOCATED AT 2714 ELKHART RD, GOSHEN, IN 46526, [redacted]) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS…
The vehicle occasionally rolls after being put in park. Told that the parking pawl may be defective creating a safety hazard due to the vehicle rolling in park.
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2002 Ford Rangers have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 61 owner complaints about power train for the 2002 Ford Ranger (18% of the 346 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Ford Ranger power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 51,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2002 Ford Ranger?
The most frequent phrase is “rear differential”, in 8 of 61 complaints.
Other 2002 Ford Ranger problems
See all 2002 Ford Ranger problems or power train problems across all Ranger years.