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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Structure complaints

43 reports
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96,000 miles · Feb 4, 2015
StructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash

2003 FORD RANGER SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UPON ATTEMPTING TO PARK. I WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPOT WHILE APPLY THE BRAKES WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPED A SNOW BANK AND HIT A LIGHT POLE. INDEPENDENT WITNESS REPORTED THE VEHICLE JUST TOOK OFF, REAR WHEELS RAPIDLY STARTED TURNING. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. WHO DID…

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2003 FORD RANGER SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UPON ATTEMPTING TO PARK. I WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPOT WHILE APPLY THE BRAKES WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPED A SNOW BANK AND HIT A LIGHT POLE. INDEPENDENT WITNESS REPORTED THE VEHICLE JUST TOOK OFF, REAR WHEELS RAPIDLY STARTED TURNING. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. WHO DID NOT SEEM TOO CONCERNED ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND HAD NO INTEREST TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10681203

89,950 miles · Feb 2, 2015
StructureSuspension

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680441

44,000 miles · Aug 28, 2014
StructureTires

THE UNDER-BED SPARE TIRE HOLDER ROTTED OFF THE FRAME AND DROPPED THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY TO THE GROUND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629123

98,120 miles · Jun 15, 2014
Service BrakesStructureSuspension

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. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10598345

48,000 miles · May 23, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 FORD RANGER PICK UP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME BED WAS EXCESSIVELY ROTTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WHO CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE CENTER FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 FORD RANGER PICK UP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME BED WAS EXCESSIVELY ROTTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WHO CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE CENTER FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE 53,000. UPDATED 9/29/14*CN

NHTSA ODI #10593683

110,500 miles · Apr 12, 2014
StructureSuspension

TRUCK MADE A CLUNKING NOISE GOING AROUND A TURN. CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND THE REAR SPRING SHACKLE AND HANGER HAD RUSTED OFF. WHEN REPLACING FOUND THE SPARE TIRE WELL AND HANGER ALL RUSTED WHICH COULD HAVE DROPPED THE SPARE TIRE ONTO THE ROAD. ALSO THE FRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND NEEDS REPAIRED. ALSO WITH IT RUSTED AT …

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TRUCK MADE A CLUNKING NOISE GOING AROUND A TURN. CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND THE REAR SPRING SHACKLE AND HANGER HAD RUSTED OFF. WHEN REPLACING FOUND THE SPARE TIRE WELL AND HANGER ALL RUSTED WHICH COULD HAVE DROPPED THE SPARE TIRE ONTO THE ROAD. ALSO THE FRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND NEEDS REPAIRED. ALSO WITH IT RUSTED AT THE REAR WHERE THE HITCH ATTACHES I COULD LOSE ANYTHING I MAYBE TRAILERING. MY FRAME IS HORRIBLE FOR THE YEAR AND UNSAFE. *JA

NHTSA ODI #10579396

54,000 miles · Jan 7, 2014
StructureSuspension

BODY, CHASSIS, AND ALL SUSPENSION IS RUSTED TO A NON-REPAIRABLE CONDITION. BOLTS HAVE TO BE CUT TO FREE, BODY UNDERPINNINGS HAVE DENIGRATED TO NOTHING, AND PAINT IS BUBBLING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558960

33,200 miles · Aug 7, 2013
Structure

STRUCTURE ROTTING OUT HAD TO REPLACE SHOCK MOUNT AND A STRUT TO PASS INSPECTION. NOW HAVE 34000 MILES ON IT AND THE SPARE TIRE CASING SEPARATED FROM THE BODY, THE STRUT HOLDING THE TRANSMISSION IS RUST SO I CAN'T TRUST IT TO DRIVE. THE BODY IS IN PERFECT SHAPE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10534075

71,807 miles · May 31, 2013
Structure

THE REAR FRAME IS RUSTED SO BAD IT WON'T PASS INSPECTION. THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS IN GREAT SHAPE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514422

63,000 miles · Feb 28, 2013
Structure

I DISCOVERED THAT THE TRUCK BED HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND HAS SEVERE RUST ON THE FRAME AS WELL. THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH NO RUST SHOWING ANYWHERE. ALL OF THE RUST IS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRUCK BED. IT APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED AT THE HEAT SHIELDS. THE TRUCK HAD A SPRAYED IN RHINO LIN…

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I DISCOVERED THAT THE TRUCK BED HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND HAS SEVERE RUST ON THE FRAME AS WELL. THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH NO RUST SHOWING ANYWHERE. ALL OF THE RUST IS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRUCK BED. IT APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED AT THE HEAT SHIELDS. THE TRUCK HAD A SPRAYED IN RHINO LINING THAT FORD SOLD WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW WHICH HID THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE BED GAVE WAY COMPLETELY AND NOW HAS ONE 5"X 8" HOLE AND ANOTHER SMALLER HOLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500783

Official recalls

1

09V399000 · 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

1

PE05066 · 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.