IllustrationAirbag warning light always on.
2003 Ford Ranger
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Ford Ranger do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 144.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ranger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
630–25K
2225–50K
3050–75K
2075–100K
35100–150K
15150K+
185 reports with mileage · 58 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
37 crash reports11 fire reports20 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
25 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE SPINDLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE ROD BROKE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SWERVED FROM LANE TO LANE THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE BECAME AIR BORN AND CRASHED IN A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT B…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE SPINDLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE ROD BROKE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SWERVED FROM LANE TO LANE THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE BECAME AIR BORN AND CRASHED IN A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS WOULDN'T BUCKLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CUT FROM THEIR EAR TO THEIR THROAT FROM THE SEAT BELT, THE CONTACT ALSO HAD A BURN MARK FROM THE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT'S BROTHER WAS IN THE VEHICLE WAS AS WELL. THEY SUSTAINED AN INJURY BUT DIDN'T RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT'S BROTHER SUSTAINED A CRACKED RIB. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS THE ONLY VEHICLE EVOLVED IN THIS CRASH. NO OTHER MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED ,IS THERE A RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS OR ANY OTHER RECALLS OF ANY KIND ?? THANKS *DT *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FRIENDLY FORD (2800 N TELEGRAPH RD, MONROE, MI 48162) TO BE REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN AIR BAG RECALL. UPON ARRIVING AT THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS CHARGED A FEE TO REPLACE WIRES THAT WERE CUT DURING THE AIR BAG REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FRIENDLY FORD (2800 N TELEGRAPH RD, MONROE, MI 48162) TO BE REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN AIR BAG RECALL. UPON ARRIVING AT THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS CHARGED A FEE TO REPLACE WIRES THAT WERE CUT DURING THE AIR BAG REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V788000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT IT IS A DEFECT WITH THE AIRBAG. I DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE PRICE OF REPLACING IT ~ IF IT IS THE COMPANIES FAULT THAT MADE THE AIRBAG.
I WAS RECENTLY AN ACCIDENT DURING WHICH 3 THINGS OCCURRED THAT CONTRIBUTED TO MY INJURIES. THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS STEERING WHEEL LOCKUP PREVENTING ME FROM TURNING OUT OF THE WAY. THE 2ND & 3RD THINGS OCCURRED WHEN THE TRUCK WAS IN FREE FALL. FIRST OF ALL THE SEATBELT FAILED TO RESTRAINED MY BODY DURING THE ACCIDENT SE…
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I WAS RECENTLY AN ACCIDENT DURING WHICH 3 THINGS OCCURRED THAT CONTRIBUTED TO MY INJURIES. THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS STEERING WHEEL LOCKUP PREVENTING ME FROM TURNING OUT OF THE WAY. THE 2ND & 3RD THINGS OCCURRED WHEN THE TRUCK WAS IN FREE FALL. FIRST OF ALL THE SEATBELT FAILED TO RESTRAINED MY BODY DURING THE ACCIDENT SENDING ME STRAIGHT INTO THE STEERING WHEEL DURING WHICH TIME THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SO THERE WAS NOTHING TO BRAKE MY IMPACT TO SAID STEERING WHEEL. ALL OF THE THIS TOOK PLACE ON A FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS I WAS LUCKY THAT MY INJURIES WERE NOT WORSE THEN THEY ARE AND IN TIME THEY WILL HEAL. I WAS LUCKY, BUT THE NEXT PERSON MAY NOT BE SO, YOU NEED TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER THOROUGHLY BECAUSE THE NEXT PERSON MAY DIE AS A RESULT OF THESE SAFETY FAILURES, AND THAT IS SOMETHING NONE US WANT.
TAKATA RECALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V036000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V036000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/14/16*LJ UPDATED 06/29/16.*JB
TACATA RECALL AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING THE STAYS ON .NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING IT BUT IT COULD BE SERIOUS IF THE BAGS DO NOT WORK WHEN NEEDED . IT CAME ON ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO. STARTS AS SOON AS YOU START TRUCK . OTHER LIGHT THAT JUST STARTED FLASHING TODAY OVER DRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING BUT HAS NOW STOPPED .THIS IS A 03 FORD RA…
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TACATA RECALL AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING THE STAYS ON .NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING IT BUT IT COULD BE SERIOUS IF THE BAGS DO NOT WORK WHEN NEEDED . IT CAME ON ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO. STARTS AS SOON AS YOU START TRUCK . OTHER LIGHT THAT JUST STARTED FLASHING TODAY OVER DRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING BUT HAS NOW STOPPED .THIS IS A 03 FORD RANGER F4
MY UNCLE WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN HE SWERVED & LOSS CONTROL OF HIS FORD RANGER. HE CROSSED OVER THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE GOING OFF THE ROAD HITTING A SIGN, THEN HIT AN EMBANKMENT, THEN FLIPPED OVER SEVERAL TIMES. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY & MY UNCLE DIED AS A RESULT.
Official recalls
109V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Oct 13, 2009
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE05066 · Brake Lights Inoperative
Opened Dec 5, 2005 · Closed Mar 24, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
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 RELATED TO WIRE CHAFE NEAR THE CHMSL, AND MOST (115 OF THE 120) WERE REPORTED FOR THE SUPER CAB CHMSL. ODI'S REVIEW OF FORD'S WARRANTY CLAIMS AND COMPLAINT DATA REVEALS A DECLINING TREND FOR THE SUPER CAB AND THAT TREND CLOSELY PARALLELS THE TREND FOR THE STANDARD CAB AS WELL.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
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 RELATED TO WIRE CHAFE NEAR THE CHMSL, AND MOST (115 OF THE 120) WERE REPORTED FOR THE SUPER CAB CHMSL. ODI'S REVIEW OF FORD'S WARRANTY CLAIMS AND COMPLAINT DATA REVEALS A DECLINING TREND FOR THE SUPER CAB AND THAT TREND CLOSELY PARALLELS THE TREND FOR THE STANDARD CAB AS WELL.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Exterior Lighting
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 RELATED TO WIRE CHAFE NEAR THE CHMSL, AND MOST (115 OF THE 120) WERE REPORTED FOR THE SUPER CAB CHMSL. ODI'S REVIEW OF FORD'S WARRANTY CLAIMS AND COMPLAINT DATA REVEALS A DECLINING TREND FOR THE SUPER CAB AND THAT TREND CLOSELY PARALLELS THE TREND FOR THE STANDARD CAB AS WELL.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
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 RELATED TO WIRE CHAFE NEAR THE CHMSL, AND MOST (115 OF THE 120) WERE REPORTED FOR THE SUPER CAB CHMSL. ODI'S REVIEW OF FORD'S WARRANTY CLAIMS AND COMPLAINT DATA REVEALS A DECLINING TREND FOR THE SUPER CAB AND THAT TREND CLOSELY PARALLELS THE TREND FOR THE STANDARD CAB AS WELL.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.