2002 Ford Ranger Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 36about this part
- Share
- 10%of 346 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 94,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 36 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Ford Ranger, 10% of the 346 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Was pulling into friends driveway when I heard a cracking noise when I checked the left rear spring hanger pulled out of the rusted frame. I pulled off the bed of the truck and found several areas which were severely rusted including the spare tire carrier and the straps which hold up the gas tank. I am the original owner of the vehicle and have lived in pennsylvania the whole time.”
NHTSA complaint #10894702, filed 2016-08, 126,520 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“I was driving on the highway and the spare tire fell off and was dragging under the truck. Looking under the truck I noticed lots of rot? This truck is in great condition not a spot of rust on the body but the frame is a rotted mess. This should not be happening to a ten year old truck. P.s if the tire ever broke away from the truck completely it could have caused an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10437374, filed 2011-11, 44,994 miles“Rear tire fell out onto road, rotted carrier , frame rotted at axle, cracked in half while driving on highway, rear end shifted, can know longer drive vehicle safely, had to buy new truck days later! Body in good shape, frame totally rotted! So many other complaints about same thing on google search. Toyota toyota had same thing, we called all their trucks and replaced all truck f we called all their trucks and replaced all truck frames frames, still to this day Ford has not recognized a major problem with their frames!!! …”
NHTSA complaint #11195352, filed 2019-04, 115,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10014096Dec 13, 2004Revised procedure for adjusting alignment on all suspensions - new right hand upper control arm design for torsion bar front suspensions.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 5% |
| 2024 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 1 | 6% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 5 | 4% |
| 2019 | 20 | 7% |
| 2011 | 1 | 0% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 1% |
| 2006 | 20 | 7% |
| 2005 | 26 | 9% |
| 2004 | 29 | 7% |
| 2003 | 23 | 9% |
| 2002 | 36 | 10% |
| 2001 | 87 | 17% |
| 2000 | 72 | 11% |
| 1999 | 67 | 9% |
| 1998 | 52 | 9% |
| 1997 | 25 | 6% |
| 1996 | 21 | 5% |
| 1995 | 21 | 7% |
| 1994 | 30 | 7% |
| 1993 | 16 | 7% |
| 1992 | 32 | 17% |
| 1991 | 17 | 13% |
| 1990 | 3 | 3% |
| 1989 | 2 | 3% |
| 1988 | 1 | 1% |
| 1987 | 2 | 4% |
| 1986 | 1 | 3% |
| 1985 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Ranger
61 complaintsVehicle speed control
51 complaintsBody and structure
49 complaintsEngine cooling
39 complaintsAir bags
37 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 30, 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