2002 Ford Ranger Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 51about this part
- Share
- 15%of 346 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 51 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2002 Ford Ranger, 15% of the 346 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11350274, filed 2020-08, 90,934 miles“My wife and I were driving on hwy 79from palistine tx to jacksonville tx thursday 7/11/2016 when we noticed smoke coming out from under the truck we pulled over and noticed fire under the hood I tried to poor water on it all it did was just get worse and our truck all my work tools my lively hood blew up.”
NHTSA complaint #10896403, filed 2016-08, 250,000 miles“The 2002 Ford Ranger was coming to a complete stop at about 3 MPH, when all of a sudden the truck accelerated really high. I threw the gear selector into neutral and it continued to race but the wheels were no longer spinning, I hit the gas pedal and then threw it back into drive with no further problems. This is very concerning and I need help please. Thank you.”
NHTSA complaint #10565293, filed 2014-02, 80,000 miles“After my 2002 Ford Ranger was recalled for a cruise control issue, I kept blowing fuses. In taking it in to my Ford dealer they indicated a short within the driver's side airbag deployment system. Went through about 20 - 10 amp fuses before I could take it in. Failure of a safety item like the airbag should not happen especially with less that 70,000 miles on the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10207563, filed 2007-10, 69,500 miles“I was coming home from work and I went to park my truck in the front yard. When the truck was about to stop the engine roared, as if I really hit the gas pedal and I had to jam the car in park to get it to stop. Today, as I was coming home from work, I was coming to a four way stop in a school zone. When I was almost stopped the truck engine accelerated and I had to put the truck in park to get it to stop. I need to know is there a recall from Ford for this. I cannot let anyone else drive my truck for fear it will happen to them and they will not know what to do.”
NHTSA complaint #10627630, filed 2014-08, 190,000 milesRelated recalls
- 09V399000Oct 13, 2009Ford 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…Covers: Ford Ranger 1995–1997, 2001–2003, E-150 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003 +12 more
- 07V336000Aug 3, 2007On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain…Covers: Ford Ranger 1998–2002, E-150 1992–1993, 1997–2003, E-350 1992–1993, 1997–2003 +18 more
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 11% |
| 2024 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 2 | 11% |
| 2022 | 3 | 8% |
| 2021 | 8 | 7% |
| 2020 | 6 | 5% |
| 2019 | 12 | 4% |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 7 | 2% |
| 2004 | 19 | 5% |
| 2003 | 40 | 16% |
| 2002 | 51 | 15% |
| 2001 | 57 | 11% |
| 2000 | 55 | 8% |
| 1999 | 54 | 7% |
| 1998 | 71 | 12% |
| 1997 | 23 | 6% |
| 1996 | 34 | 8% |
| 1995 | 20 | 6% |
| 1994 | 23 | 5% |
| 1993 | 23 | 10% |
| 1992 | 7 | 4% |
| 1991 | 5 | 4% |
| 1990 | 13 | 12% |
| 1989 | 3 | 4% |
| 1988 | 2 | 2% |
| 1987 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Ranger
61 complaintsBody and structure
49 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 31, 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