KnownCarProblems2003 Ford Ranger Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 243 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford Ranger, most often about the body and structure (18% of complaints, typically around 86,000 miles). It is 10th of 23 Ranger model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2003 Ford Ranger problems
Body and structure
43 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Spare tire carrier rusted off of truck so we then took further investigation. My husband laid under the bed of the truck to look at it and then seen a hole in the floor of the truck bed. So right then he removed the bed liner that was it in and sure enough there was a huge hole. Then also seen the frame was broken and…
Entire frame rusted out. Won't pass inspection. Obviously an ongoing problem. Driver side behind cab to bumper very bad. It is actually allthe way into.we got it on a line of credit. We are out of 5000.00 . Rest of truck is really nice
Speed control
40 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 53,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control, cables.
2003 Ford Ranger sudden acceleration. While braking the vehicle suddenly accelerated. I was able to turn off the engine after the engine speed reached about 4,000 RPM. After shutting off the engine I checked to see if my floor mat was causing this problem, I removed it from the driver side and restarted the engine…
I have a 2003 Ford Ranger, when I apply the brakes the vehicle surges. Forward; I put the truck in park & shut off the ignition. When I restart. It returns to normal. This happens on once in a while.
Brakes
35 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages.
Brake and gas pedals are too close, and hit both at same time. Unable to make emergency stop and went through red light. Suspect this to be cause of several accidents recently--some fatal !
The right rear brake drum had a 2" piece rusted out, the left rear brake had rusted so bad it had broken loose in the drum and the shackles had rusted completely off. The vehicle has never been left outside always garaged, never been in high water or exposed to a high level off salt. The under carriage is always…
Engine
27 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 19,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
Engine stumbles on acceleration. This has happened repeatedly, and the dealer in ny said there was nothing wrong. Owner/driver uses name-brand gasoline from a reputable dealer and is prompt about servicing vehicle. In a previous Ford, owner expericenced the same problem---solved by replacing sensor. This problem has…
Dt: the consumer stated that his 2003 Ford Ranger caught on fire on 9-30-05. The vehicle started smoking while in motion. The vehicle was pulled over. The fire was viewed coming from under the hood. The fire department was called. The truck was declared a total loss. The consumer felt that the fire department was…
Air bags
25 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
I have a 2003 Ford Ranger in which the air bag warning light was malfunctioning. At different times it would come on, stay on for a long time, weeks, then would go off again. I took it to the dealer who found a service bulletin that directed them to clean wires, wrap wires and re-route wires under the seat. It had to…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that his air bags were not functioning correctly because the air bag light constantly remained illuminated. The failure was noticed while driving 30 MPH. He has scheduled an appointment with the dealer for april 14, 2008 to have the vehicle diagnosed. The purchase…
Suspension
23 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
Lost all brakes while driving. Found all brake lines rotted and in need of replacement. While replacing lines, noticed excessive frame and cross member deterioration from rust. Bed cross members completely rusted away and rear spring hangers rusted so bad they are ready to break off.
Chassis and suspension exhibits excessive corrosion for the year and miles. Very heavily corroded and pitted while the exterior is rust free. The truck is a 2003 with 90000 miles.
Fuel system
18 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system.
Was driving on state hwy.20 @ 615pm, when I noticed no power when I pressed on the accelerator, RPM shot to 4000, then dropped down with no power,cars behind me were flashing there lights, arms waving out there windows when the car came to my side they were frantically yelling that I was on fire. I immediately pulled…
I have a 2003 Ford Ranger regular cab 2 wheel drive truck. On 5 occasions the emergency fuel shutoff switch located inside the cab on the passenger side fire wall has been dislodge by the passenger getting there foot on the connector and disconnecting the power plug from the switch this causes the truck to stall…
Electrical
17 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring.
I have a 2003 Ford Ranger, when I apply the brakes the vehicle surges. Forward; I put the truck in park & shut off the ignition. When I restart. It returns to normal. This happens on once in a while.
The truck stalled in traffic. Acted as if it was out of gas, but had half a tank of fuel. Called tow truck. Luckily the driver was able to show me the inertia switch, and how to reset it. Was charged 50 dollars for this, did not have to tow vehicle. Since then it has tripped many times when I have a passenger, it's…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Ford Ranger recalls
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Fix: 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 as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Full defect summary
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 deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Brake lights inoperative
Summary
This pe was opened based on technical service bulletin (tsb) #05-6-19 issued by ford motor company and service bulletin #09-008/5 issued by mazda motor corporation to address concerns of the center high mounted stop light (chmsl) wiring harness chaffing. The tsb's affected the ford super cab and mazda cab plus vehicles only.service technicians contacted the ford hotline because it was difficult for the technicians to diagnose and locate the cause of the inoperative brake lights.ford and mazda issued the tsb's to aid technicians in the identification and repair of the wire chafe condition.of all warranty claims submitted to ford for brake lamp failure, ford identified only 120 that were relat
Questions about the 2003 Ford Ranger
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Ranger?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (43 complaints, typically around 86,000 miles); speed control (40 complaints, typically around 53,500 miles); brakes (35 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Ranger have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 13, 2009 (speed control). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Ford Ranger?
- It is 10th of 23 Ranger model years by number of complaints, with 243 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.