Four problems related to carrier/rack have been reported for the 2002 Ford Ranger. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Ford Ranger based on all problems reported for the 2002 Ranger.
Rear tire fell out onto road, rotted carrier , frame rotted at axle, cracked in half while driving on highway, rear end shifted, can know longer drive vehicle safely, had to buy new truck days later! body in good shape, frame totally rotted! so many other complaints about same thing on google search. Toyota Toyota had same thing, we called all their trucks and replaced all truck f we called all their trucks and replaced all truck frames frames, still to this day Ford has not recognized a major problem with their frames!!! these vehicles are a major safety hazard on the road and a recall needs to happen !!.
Was pulling into friends driveway when I heard a cracking noise when I checked the left rear spring hanger pulled out of the rusted frame. I pulled off the bed of the truck and found several areas which were severely rusted including the spare tire carrier and the straps which hold up the gas tank. I am the original owner of the vehicle and have lived in pennsylvania the whole time.
Yesterday I had something go wrong with my Ford Ranger and I needed to have it towed home. This problem will be the end of my wonderful trucks life because the inspection is also due and I have been told that due to extensive rust and a cracked rear frame, my truck will never be able to pass inspection. The body, interior and engine are all in great shape. The spare tire support is almost completely eaten away and the gas tank supports rotted away years ago. My mechanic had to rig a wire hanger for the gas tank. While my truck was on the flat bed, the mechanic mentioned that Rangers are know for the frames being eaten away. I have been doing research and understand now how common this problem is. Why has Ford not recalled this poorly made frame just like Toyota did? is it because not enough people have died from it???.
Brought truck into service center for noise in front. Raised truck to inspect---- complete undercariage rusted beyond belief,front to rear bolts, nuts, brackets,frame, shocks, etc. Main concern is frame, brake lines --- had to have rear leaf spring support and bracket replaced because it was ready to break. Had shocks replaced because they looked like they could bust at any time. This is a truck with less than 32,000 miles --- body still looks great but underneath is questionable is there a recall or something I can fall back on ????.