2002 Ford Ranger edge from North America - Comments

4x4 Ranger purchased in March 2002. It currently has 70,000km.

So far.

Noise in transmission. First noticed ~6500km. After 5 visits and 8 days in the shop they tell me they finally have it figured out. First time they heard no noise and tried to bill me for looking. Second time in they heard the noise, but could not fix it at the time and once again tried to bill me for looking. Third time they had it for 3 days and still did not fix the problem. Apparently ordered a recalled shifter. Lost the clutch slave cylinder shortly after. Asked them to fix the transmission noise and install the recalled part at that time. They could not find the part so no go. Fifth time in they replaced the rubber shifter boot, can you believe that? Of course that was not the problem so they ordered more parts. Currently it is sitting in the shop for the sixth time for the same problem. Hopefully they get it right this time.

Wind noises both doors. Warranty.

Rock/chip guard coming off. Warranty.

Rattling/movement driver's seat. Warranty once, but it is back again.

Shimmy/vibration 135km.hr and up when new. The garage would not even look at this when it was still under warranty. Apparently their technicians cannot drive that fast. Now it starts at 90km/hr. Funny thing is I just had two tires replaced and balanced. So I know it is not a wheel balance problem.

Front brakes and rotors @ 37000 km. would not warranty them. I was told there were hot spots on the rotors and they could not be machined. 400 bucks later fixed. I took the old rotors to another shop and they machined them no problem. They were a few thousand of an inch under spec, but it should have been covered under warranty. I brought this to Ford's attention, but all I heard was excuses. As I type this it is in the shop again with the same problem. Pads under warranty this time however still have to foot the bill for labour. And if the rotors are gone of course that is my problem.

Transfer case sticks. I now have to accelerate hard in order to get the truck out of 4x4. I was told twice by the local oil change shop the transfer case fluid looked really dirty. Replaced it, 10,000km later it looked terrible again. I brought this to Ford's attention and was simply told it was normal. Now the warranty is off and I have to foot the bill to fix it.

Check engine light is on. Who knows? I will find out tomorrow. For your info, Ford charges 100 bucks to run the diagnostic test. You can find a local place that well do the same for half.

I purchased this Ranger based on my previous experience. 1994 4cylinder 2x4. It was a great truck. 400,000km. replaced the clutch slave cylinder, rear wheel and diff bearings, and the front brakes pads twice. Still have the same rotors. Both vehicles are driven in the exact same fashion by the same driver. After the unfortunate experience with the new Ranger this is my last Ford product.

I purchased this Ranger based on my previous experience. 1994 4cylinder 2x4. It was a great truck. 400,000km. replaced the clutch slave cylinder, rear wheel and diff bearings, and the front brakes pads twice. Still have the same rotors. Both vehicles are driven in the exact same fashion by the same driver. After the unfortunate experience with the new Ranger this is my last Ford product.

You don't get it. First of all, if there is ANY sign of damage to the brake rotors (scratches, blue hot spots, cracks, deep gouges.) they HAVE to be replaced. If you turn damaged rotors, they will fly apart at high speeds (the damage weakens the metal and makes it unstable)

a few thousanths of an inch makes a HUGE difference when you turn rotors. If the rotors are under spec even a little bit, they warp in no time flat.

2003 Ford Ranger Edge Supercab. One word, JUNK. This was, is, my first new vehicle ever. It has nothing, but problems. First, the paint started peeling, three times to repaint. Then, at 3,000 miles vehicle pulls to the right hard - nothing wrong says the dealer. Now, strange noises from under the truck - no answer. The door seals have come apart. Dealer tried to fix today, what a joke - worse now then when I brought it in. Serious vibration when driving. Going back to dealer for the 15th time at 9,500 miles. This time I am demanding that they either buy it back, or replace this lemon. Never again will I buy a Ford product, and if you are thinking about it, do your homework and you will see that they are JUNK. Ford dealer in Daphne, Alabama - steer clear and keep on driving.

2003 Ford Ranger Edge Supercab 4.0 Had an 03 Tacoma Prerunner and can tell you the differences. The Ranger is roomier, more comfortable, more powerful, and quieter. The Toyota has better steering feel, better suspension for off-road, and has a better ride under 50mph.

Both are reliable, and both have crappy gas mileage and both have 30,000 miles. Overall, I guess I have been fortunate compared to what I have read. I like the Ford much better, but can tell that the Toyota seems to have better fit and finish. I used to have a '93 XLT supercab 4.0 and put 180000 miles on it before selling it for a lemon F-150. Ford had 10 years to make the Ranger perfect, but I think I liked my '93 a little better. I'll shut up now.

As a mechanic I cringe when I read of people having to replace brake pads at ridiculously short intervals. Any modern vehicle should go at least 60,000 to 100,000 miles on the original pads if driven properly. I've owned cars and trucks from Ford, GM and Chrysler, plus one German and one Japanese car. I never, EVER had to replace the brake linings on any of them prior to 80,000 miles, and had one Chrysler product that only had two sets of brake pads replaced in 240,000 miles. Having to replace brake pads at 30,000 miles indicates one thing. Tail-gating and constantly riding the brakes. Such driving behavior generally indicates a lack of respect for the vehicle, which makes me question whether other "defects" are really the fault of the vehicle/manufacturer.

"Having to replace brake pads at 30,000 miles indicates one thing. Tail-gating and constantly riding the brakes>"

Could also mean sticking calipers or similar problems.

True, a sticking caliper will result in very premature brake pad wear. However, a sticking caliper is generally very easy to detect due to a dragging noise or, if the noise isn't audible, a very pungent burning odor from the pads overheating.

Wow. I currently have a 02 Ford Ranger Edge Pickup with 60k and it has more problems and more importantly unfixable problems than all of the other cars and truck I have owned.

The brakes are junk: they drag some (no matter what I replace) the pads go less than 30k, the pads fry with no load. Honestly I think it is a faulty design with the anti-lock brake system.

The gas mileage is worse than any 1500 or 2500 trucks.

The CD player jams and it a true manufacturer defect and is known to happen (according to every for tech I have talked to).

The door ajar light is always on and not fixable.

It leaks all over the place.

The transmission jumps when it is cold.

The thing feels like it is always had unbalanced tires.

The break pedal can go to the floor before locking up the tires.

I have replaced a few thousand dollars in parts and still the same problems!!! It should be Forb Found on road broke. (yes a double pun) I do the work myself because at least I know the work is getting done, even though the problem doesn’t go away.

From all of these comments, I tend to agree with the person who said that there is a lack of respect for one's vehicle when the brakes repeatedly need to be replaced. And everything can be fixed, whether or not it is cheap is a different topic.

I have always enjoyed driving the Ford Rangers especially when it's a 4 cylinder 5 speed, it gives you gas mileage plus the ability to get out of the way if need be.

If your Ranger is not getting better gas mileage than an half ton or a three quarter ton, then you need to pull your foot out of the gas pedal and drive more economically. Or get a smaller engine, and still follow the advice in the previous statement.

I have an 02 Ranger Edge 4x4 4.0 ltr, and it is running strong, no major problems, just some leaks here and there, but nothing major for a truck with 135,000.

I keep care of my vehicle, and that's why it runs great.

My guy has a Ford Ranger 2002 4x4. He kept up with all of the maintenance on the truck. In the past 5 years, it has been in the shop three times for the transmission... Now March 2010 with 108k, as he was driving, the transmission fluid busted out and the transmission is a total loss. A price tag of $1900 to get a new tranny. I am not pleased with this truck. It is a pure sour lemon, and would never get another one...