2002 Ford Ranger Vehicle Speed Control Problems
Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about vehicle speed control problems on the 2002 Ford Ranger, 15% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 65,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “cruise control” (24% of reports).
- 51vehicle speed control complaints
- 65,000median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 33%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.
- Cruise control: mentioned in 12 of 51 complaints (24%)
At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems happen?
Based on 21 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 51 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 3 a fire.
Ford Ranger vehicle speed control complaints by model year
| Model year | Vehicle Speed Control complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Ranger | 5 | 12% | — |
| 2024 Ranger | 4 | 4% | — |
| 2023 Ranger | 2 | 11% | 38,000 |
| 2022 Ranger | 3 | 8% | 10,000 |
| 2021 Ranger | 8 | 7% | 4,500 |
| 2020 Ranger | 6 | 5% | 21,500 |
| 2019 Ranger | 12 | 4% | 6,000 |
| 2011 Ranger | 4 | 2% | 43,500 |
| 2010 Ranger | 4 | 3% | 2,500 |
| 2009 Ranger | 2 | 1% | 12,501 |
| 2006 Ranger | 5 | 2% | 93,500 |
| 2005 Ranger | 7 | 2% | 55,000 |
| 2004 Ranger | 19 | 5% | 42,500 |
| 2003 Ranger | 40 | 16% | 53,500 |
| 2002 Ranger | 51 | 15% | 65,000 |
| 2001 Ranger | 57 | 11% | 73,232 |
| 2000 Ranger | 55 | 8% | 85,000 |
| 1999 Ranger | 54 | 7% | 75,000 |
| 1998 Ranger | 71 | 12% | 78,650 |
| 1997 Ranger | 23 | 6% | 128,000 |
| 1996 Ranger | 34 | 8% | 109,128 |
| 1995 Ranger | 20 | 6% | 116,387 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control
Problem: 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.
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Fix: 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.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: 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.
Risk: This could result in an underhood fire.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and attempting to switch lanes, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V399000 (Vehicle Speed…
Recently my truck unintentionally accelerated as i was backing up in driveway causing an accident. When i picked up truck after collision repair, it suddenly accelerated on highway causing it to fish-tail our of control and nearly causing another accident.
Transmission stuck in 4x4 low
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2002 Ford Rangers have vehicle speed control problems?
No. NHTSA has 51 owner complaints about vehicle speed control for the 2002 Ford Ranger (15% 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 vehicle speed control?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list vehicle speed control. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems start?
The median reported mileage is 65,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about vehicle speed control problems on the 2002 Ford Ranger?
The most frequent phrase is “cruise control”, in 12 of 51 complaints.
Other 2002 Ford Ranger problems
- Power Train problems (61)
See all 2002 Ford Ranger problems or vehicle speed control problems across all Ranger years.