Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Ford Ranger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 Control). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to three separate independent mechanics to be diagnosed. After each diagnostic test, the contact was informed that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
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.
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.
I purchased 2002 Ford Ranger edge 4x4 used in aug 2005 w/36K on it. I had it 3 weeks when it suddenly accelerated and wouldn't stop with the brake to the floor. It skidded 70 feet jumped the curb and drove on our lawn and back on the street before I put it in neutral and it slowed enough to stop just inches from the rear end of a parked vehicle. I thought I May have done something wrong since this was my first truck in this class so I read through the owners manual and couldn't determine if I had done anything wrong. I telecommute from home and don't drive often so it was weeks later when it happened again this time going up a hill on wet pavement, the truck fishtailed and went into the opposite lane. Thank fully there was no one in the other lane. I took it to my mechanic who could not determine any problem and it wouldn't replicate for him. …
On October 30 2002,I was driving a 2002 Ford Ranger,my wife and I were going to k-mart and just as I was turning into the parking space,my Ranger just took off and I had my foot on the brakes trying to stop my truck,the engine sounded like it was running wide open and I did manage to stop my truck within eight feet. But by that time I hit a shopping cart and a wheel/chair sign. The shopping cart wedged between my truck and the Dodge neon that it hit. And did damage to. And the sign bounced off my truck and hit another car,but it only put a scratch on the other car. There was an witness that heard and saw everything. And now my insurance company will not renew my policy as of July 18 2003. I did take my Ranger to the Ford garage the same day to have it tested. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to dealer for repairs under NHTSA campaign id number: 07V336000 (vehicle speed control) but the dealer failed to disconnect the system. The contact mentioned that while driving 55 MPH the cruise control caught on fire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the sun cause the vehicle to over heat and the cruise control to get holes on it. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 49,013
2002 Ford Ranger, consumer stated his issue deals with the cruise control, which worked sporadically. The consumer stated when he pressed the button for the cruise control, the green light would flash, but it would not engage. Two months ago, the brake lights stopped working..updated 03/16/16 the consumer stated the cruise control would activate and deactivate on its own. In feb 2015, all the brake lights failed. However, all the bulb were still good. The dealer informed the consumer the brake light switch needed to be replaced. Updated 03/22/16.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Ford Ranger. In September of 2007, the contact's neighbor informed him that his vehicle was on fire. A police report was filed. The contact called Ford to have his vehicle towed to the dealer. He received a recall letter a few days before the fire; however, the recall number was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 43,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the cruise control switch failed to function and the light on the function button failed to illuminate. The vehicle was to be taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Ranger. While driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without warning and then hesitated to reduce speed. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 192,000.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
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…
Remedy: 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…
Vehicle speed control
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.
Remedy: 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…
Acceleration complaints in other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2002 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2002 Ford Ranger, 15% of the model year's 346 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford Ranger acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-399 (vehicle speed control, Oct 13, 2009); NHTSA recall 07V-336 (vehicle speed control, Aug 3, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Ranger acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.