Driving to work rear end locked up and exploded while driving. My head hit the steering wheel. There was a recall on 2002 ford ranger fx2 axle but only for manual transmission when research shows it does it on automatic ones to. Looked up recall documents and symptoms and everything was the exact same! I do have recall number 02s32. Had to be towed home...
2002 Ford Ranger transmission problems
61 complaints (18% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 51,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 61
- of this car's complaints
- 18%
- typical mileage
- 51,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission19
- Driveline: differential unit9
- Clutch assembly6
- Driveline: driveshaft3
- Driveline3
- Axle assembly3
- Manual transmission2
- Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)2
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Ranger transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Ford Ranger transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Power train: driveline: differential unit
- What is wrong
- On some manual transmission trucks equipped with the fx4 package, the rear axle differential case could fracture under a high torque event such as when customers accelerate rapidly from a stop or when a spinning tire suddenly gains traction.
- Risk
- Differential fractures could potentially result in wheel lock-up.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the rear axle assembly. Owner notification began march 29, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 02V035000 · Recall details
What 2002 Ford Ranger owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford ranger. While driving approximately 10-15 MPH, the rear differential seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. Eby ford lincoln (located at 2714 elkhart rd, goshen, in 46526, (574) 534-3673) was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 02v035000 (power train). The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. *tt consumer stated rear end locked up and blew holes through the cover and destroyed it.
The vehicle occasionally rolls after being put in park. Told that the parking pawl may be defective creating a safety hazard due to the vehicle rolling in park.
Cv joint problems
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford ranger. On several occasions, while making a turn, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle also lost power steering functionality and braking ability. Using an obd diagnostic tool, the contact was unable to retrieve a fault code. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to allan vigil ford of fayetteville, inc (located at 275 glynn st n, fayetteville, ga 30214, (770) 461-1151) where it was diagnosed that the PCM needed to be flashed. The vehicle was serviced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.
While slowly backing up the throttle unexpectedly went to wide open throwing gravel, digging holes and leaving rubber burn patches. I was able to put in neutral before hitting a parked camping trailer. Later the same day while backing out of a parking place at a bank the same thing occurred but my foot was already on the brake and I was able to stop it. When I got home and was parking it happened again, in reverse, almost ramming the garage. I have not driven it since this happened . Ford 2002 ranger 4x4 automatic trans.w
Driveshaft thump clunk on light acceleration from stop or when braking and coming to a stop.
Violent missing, chugging, jerking upon acceleration. Accelerating onto highway, accelerating on highway, approx. 2500 - 3000 RPM. Automatic transmission 3.0 v6. The federal safety agency #10018746 online with many others reporting same problem. Truck will not accelerate. Instead jerks and hesitates violently.
This is the second ranger I have owned that has had this problem. The gears in the rear differential are grinding and the pins are loose. I had shop take off rear diff cover and they verified metal shavings/shards in oil and loose differential pins. If the pins/gears lock up the rear wheels could lock up and cause wreck. There is a recall for the this issue for manual transmission model rangers but not auto transmission models. Look at carcomplaints.com and you will see others who have same issue with auto trans models (I am sure other sources have same complaints). Looks like same parts were used in both models but only one was recalled.
I have a 2002 ford ranger 2.3l 4 cyl an when I start to drive my car will shift from 1st to 2nd so rough that my car jumps forward and then my overdrive light starts blinking and then everytime I press the gas from stopped it shifts very rough. I have been researching this problem and seems like a lot of people have this problem with this model. Also when I take off there is a loud vibration sounding like it is coming from the dash or engine compartment I don't know what this is about but figured I would add that in.
Questions about the 2002 Ford Ranger transmission
Does the 2002 Ford Ranger have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 61 complaints about the transmission of the 2002 Ford Ranger, 18% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Ranger transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 51,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Ford Ranger transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 02V035000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Ranger have bad transmission?
The Ford Ranger model years with the most transmission complaints are 2019 (92 complaints), 2000 (69 complaints) and 1999 (67 complaints).
Other 2002 Ford Ranger problems
Acceleration 51Body 49Engine 45Airbags 37Suspension 36Tires 29Brakes 23Electrical 17Fuel system 17Seat belts 16Lights 10Steering 8Visibility 7Wheels 5Locks 4Seats 2
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