Was just noticing on Consumer Reports site that the 2002-2003 V6 3.0 had a much higher rate of problem reports than other years....since I own an 02 that I just put a fuel pump on, I can see some possible problems.....but the V6 3.0 has been around for a while.......what changed or what common problems is this engine supposed to be having in your opinion?.......

 

just like every engine there has been some redesigns throughout the years.....the 4.0 changes a little about every 1-2 years

 

I guess my 3.0 is fine...

 

I've never had to take my truck in to be fixed. nearing 45000 miles now......

 

ive got almost 70k on mine and the only problem i have dealt with was the stupid french slave cyl

 

you guys better knock on some wood here soon if you have luck like i do

 

Yeah that sounds about right they changed the block a bunch of times, to try and make it a quieter, and what not.

 

With the 4.0 seems all the ponies were trying to get out..........not a problem with the 3.0 though......still trying to cram more in.

 

From what I can see the only changes to the 3.0L was in 1991 when they changed the pistons and made a few minor engine block changes and then back in 1998 when they changed the intake and cam to up the power to 155 HP.

I would also make sure that the Consumer Reports article was definitely looking only at the 3.0L Vulcan engine and not the newer Duratec 3.0, which has had some issues.
I have read a few articles over the last few years that didn't seem to realize that these were very different engines and not one in the same. The only 3.0L engine that is used in the Ranger is the Vulcan which is assembled at the Lima Engine plant and has had an excellent durability record.

Such a rating may also be due to simply selling more 3.0L enignes those years.
In 2001 Ford began a huge push to market the Ranger to a younger group of buyers as well, many of those who probably tend to be harder on their trucks than the traditional older buyer. The Ranger Edge was created for this market as well, mostly geared toward 18 to 30 year olds. The 3.0L was the standard engine for the Ranger Edge.
(Not that everyone abuses their truck but there's also probably fewer senior citizens that baja their Rangers than do many 18 to 30 years old owners).

See: http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/2001...nger/edge.html

 

Senior here, lol...

77k on mine and no worries...yet...

 

Hey! I resemble that remark! LOL
106K & no real problems!

 

wait, ne3lz has a 3.0 AND a 2wd?! DAMN!

 

Dude, I knew that and i've only been a member here for like 2 months!
Ill be sure to steer clear of the Duratec 3.0 for future Ranger purchases...

 

102000 not one problem! Most reliable vehicle I ever owned! 2wd 3.0

 

had to replace my torque converter but it was my fault..68k miles.

 

59k or so and just a starter, but that's not related to the engine... nothing else...

 

Thanks for all the replies......this is a great forum.......I feel a little relieved now, since I really like the size of the truck..........a guy at work has the same identical truck I do, and has 140K on it with no problems.....so there may be hope yet...........

 

Thru out the years, they change maybe parts suppliers, and things like that. It could be that the quality of parts supplied to Ford went down and there for added to more problems, I know that quality in the industry (I work in it) these days isn't what it use to be, as with everything else in the world now a days.....

 

62k here. No problems yet.

I sunk my truck too...


And I have the 4r44e and I just killed that because of water damage. Clutch pack was basically desintigrated...