Ford has a long history of loyal customers. The automaker is widely known for its hoss trucks and musculus cars. Unfortunately, fifty-fifty the best and brightest tin can brand mistakes. Enter the 2002 Ford Ranger.

To say this model is challenged is putting it lightly. Cursed? Perhaps. Strangely, several of the reviews aren't that bad. Kelly Blue Book gave it a generous 4.5 stars out of a possible 5. Edmunds rated information technology a 4.4 out of 5, as did Cars.com.

Perhaps the first three had on rose-colored glasses. Consumer Reports certainly disagreed, giving a strong dissenting vote by scoring the 2002 Ford Ranger with a three out of five for reliability and only a one out of 5 for owner satisfaction. Even their road exam summary was harsh, stating that it would not be a deal even at a discount of thousands of dollars due to its noisy, rough ride, cramped seating, and inefficient engine.

The Ford Ranger's mutual complaints

The complaints read like a rap sheet ranging from picayune crimes to hard-cadre jobs. Our ever-vigilant automotive enthusiasts previously reported on the numerous problems plaguing the Ranger. CarComplaints.com breaks the top offenses down this way: manual (difficult shifting, overdrive light flashing, transmission (failure), and broken frame.

The offset transmission category of issues tends to occur at an average of 115,000 miles. The average cost to repair is approximately $ane,500. The transmission failure seemingly occurs at an astonishing average of 63,000 miles and costs around $1,700 to set up. Broken frames occur at an average of 120,000 miles, racking up a repair pecker averaging $3,500.

Ok, that doesn't sound great (particularly the last two), but that'due south not all. Let's look a niggling deeper. 490 complaints have prompted seven recalls. Co-ordinate to Auto Complaints' numbers, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports these issues as the most reported problems:

  • xc engine complaints
  • 54 seat or airbag malfunctions
  • 44 torso or pigment issues
  • 35 suspension complaints
  • 34 wheel or hub problems
  • 31 drivetrain complaints
  • 26 transmission problems
  • 24 brake malfunctions

Over half of the engine complaints were for speed control, then it makes sense that 2 of the recalls are for that. Ane recall was for the powertrain trouble that could cause the wheels to lock. Two recalls are oddly effectually exterior lighting.

Make loyalty

A Ford Ranger truck rushes through "The Orange Crush" freeway intersection in Orange, CA,
An older Ford Ranger | David McNew/Newsmakers

RELATED: Buying a New Ford Ranger Instead of Used Might Not Be a Terrible Idea

Despite the dismal reviews and the extensive list of complaints past Ranger owners, there are still some satisfied customers out there. It seems to defy logic since having a complete transmission overhaul at 63,000 miles seems like a example for the Lemon Law.

The Street explains that anomaly, finding that Ford was the tiptop automaker for brand loyalty, with 44.1 percent of repeat customers. In 1 five-star review entitled "dandy work truck" on KBB, the reviewer mentions that it is the third Ranger he has endemic.

AutoTrader even wrote that the relatively rare Ranger Tremor edition was a vehicle for truck driving audiophiles, calling the 6,000 produced in 2002 "unicorns." If the Tremor is cursed with the aforementioned issues equally the regular Ranger, perhaps the high quality of the music soothed the brutal chest of the exasperated owners. Either way, this is just an example of the alien opinions on Ford'due south well-documented problem kid.

What to think about the 2002 Ford Ranger

Is the 2002 Ford Ranger the worst model? Car Complaints thinks so. It is undoubtedly in the top worst for the number of complaints. Perhaps the deciding factor was the severity of the problems.

Volition information technology make a difference to hardcore Ford fans? Probably non. Nonetheless, if you are in the market for a used truck, you might want to swipe left on this model. If you don't want to pay for expensive repairs, the 2002 Ford Ranger should be a hard pass.