2002 Ford Ranger Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 49about this part
- Share
- 14%of 346 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 49 complaints about the body and structure of the 2002 Ford Ranger, 14% of the 346 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Rear spring hangers rotted and failed and both sides of frame rusted bad..spare tire holder rusted rotted and broke letting spare tire and rear bumper to drop down. I caught it before it made it to the road.we were on the road when the right hand side came down.left side happened a year before the right side[estimate].”
NHTSA complaint #10956965, filed 2017-02, 90,000 miles“Bracket for spare tire rotted, tire dropped off, no car in back of me, didn't know what happen at the time, that happened 6 month after I bought it, the other day the frame cracked in half. Car dealer ship sold truck to me roughly 15 month ago truck is totaled. Insurance adjuster said whole frame and under carriage is rotted? Help. Exterior of truck looks brand new? Help”
NHTSA complaint #10682191, filed 2015-02, 139,000 miles“I purchased this truck 1 yr ago . I took it in for inspection and found that it had severe rust problems . The shackles for the leaf spring had completely rotted away causing the spring to rest upon the box. The restraint for the gas tank was rotted to the point that tank was about to fall off. There was severe rusting of the frame , especially in the rear .obviously, the truck failed inspection.”
NHTSA complaint #10596999, filed 2014-06, 138,000 miles“This truck is rusting from front to back.the main frame and all connecting parts. I have had to replace numerous metal parts. There has to be some kind of defect either in the metal or this truck was never undercoated. It has 84000 miles and I have been replacing parts since 75000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10628483, filed 2014-08, 80,000 miles“My frame is completely rusted despite the body, engine and interior being in good shape. My spare tire mount rotted and the spare fell off. One of the crossmembers that held the evap canister completely broke off as I was driving staying attached only by the electrical connector. The frame on the passenger side completely severed just forward of the axle. The leaf spring is the only thing holding it together and those shackles look like they're ready to go. Ford sucks!”
NHTSA complaint #10505310, filed 2013-04, 153,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10177863Jul 13, 2020This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit…
- 10156863Feb 7, 2019Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without…
- 10155551Feb 7, 2019Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without…
- 10014165Dec 27, 2004Aluminum corrosion - service tip.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | 11% |
| 2021 | 7 | 6% |
| 2020 | 5 | 4% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 8 | 3% |
| 2010 | 6 | 4% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 10 | 3% |
| 2007 | 13 | 5% |
| 2006 | 26 | 10% |
| 2005 | 34 | 12% |
| 2004 | 46 | 11% |
| 2003 | 43 | 18% |
| 2002 | 49 | 14% |
| 2001 | 112 | 22% |
| 2000 | 105 | 16% |
| 1999 | 89 | 12% |
| 1998 | 45 | 8% |
| 1997 | 25 | 6% |
| 1996 | 10 | 2% |
| 1995 | 21 | 7% |
| 1994 | 21 | 5% |
| 1993 | 8 | 3% |
| 1992 | 14 | 7% |
| 1991 | 13 | 10% |
| 1990 | 4 | 4% |
| 1989 | 3 | 4% |
| 1988 | 4 | 4% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
| 1983 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Ranger
61 complaintsVehicle speed control
51 complaintsEngine cooling
39 complaintsAir bags
37 complaintsSuspension
36 complaintsTires
29 complaintsBrakes
23 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsSeat belts
16 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsEquipment
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford Ranger
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology