The frame of my truck has rotted through. The strap that holds the gas tank has nothing to connect to, i think the tank could fall to the ground under the right circumstances. The frame has a large whole in it and i fear it will break very soon. I had to remove the spare tire because i feared it would fall off the truck. I had t…
Read full complaint
The frame of my truck has rotted through. The strap that holds the gas tank has nothing to connect to, i think the tank could fall to the ground under the right circumstances. The frame has a large whole in it and i fear it will break very soon. I had to remove the spare tire because i feared it would fall off the truck. I had to replace both connectors that held the leaf springs to the frame,and was told there wasn't much left to connect them to.
NHTSA ODI #11517056
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2021
Suspension
I had been noticing some squeaking form the rear of my 2003 Ford Ranger. I thought it was my breaks. It turned out that the mounts for the rear springs had rusted out. My mechanic also noticed a hole, in the frame, resulting from rust. The hole is located on the inside surface of the frame on the passenger side just forward of…
Read full complaint
I had been noticing some squeaking form the rear of my 2003 Ford Ranger. I thought it was my breaks. It turned out that the mounts for the rear springs had rusted out. My mechanic also noticed a hole, in the frame, resulting from rust. The hole is located on the inside surface of the frame on the passenger side just forward of the passenger compartment. Since the hole was discovered I stopped using the Ranger due to safety concerns.
NHTSA ODI #11417993
128,000 miles · Sep 23, 2020
Electrical SystemStructureSuspension
BODY, FRAME AND SUSPENSION HAVE ALL BEEN RUSTED OUT. BUMPER RECENTLY JUST FELL OFF DUE TO RUST (WHILE PARKED). DOORS WON'T SHUT COMPLETELY DUE TO RUST, WHICH HAS LED TO THE INTERIOR LIGHT REMAINING ON OR PERIODICALLY TURNING ON THROUGHOUT THE DAY/NIGHT AND KILLING THE BATTERY. ENTIRE TRUCK IS ONE BIG PILE OF RUST ON WHEELS.
NHTSA ODI #11360843
230,000 miles · Sep 14, 2020
Suspension
CHASSIS ROTTING OUT. LOST SPARE TIRE CARRIER AND REAR FRAME SUPPORT. SPRING PERCH ROTTED OFF CHASSIS. OTHER AREAS ARE BEGINNING TO ROT OUT ON FRAME RAILS! THINGS CAME APART IN MOTION BUT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY REMOVE UPON STOPPING
NHTSA ODI #11354894
129,000 miles · Aug 30, 2019
Air BagsSuspensionWheelsCrashInjury
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 B…
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #11252437
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2018
SuspensionUnknown Or Other
FRAME AND CHASSIS HAS SEVERE ROT FRAME IS ALSO CRACKED. BUMPER FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING REAR BUMPER. THIS IS A 2003 FORD RANGER 5 SPEED 2 WHEEL DRIVE IT HAS LESS THAN 81000 MILES ON IT. THE BUMPER FELL OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. I DO NOT HAVE PICTURE OF FRAME BUT IF ASKED I COULD GET SOME.
NHTSA ODI #11072198
174,065 miles · Oct 18, 2017
StructureSuspension
THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE BED RUSTED APART AND NOW HAS A THREE TO FIVE INCH GAP BETWEEN FRONT BED WALL AND BED FLOOR. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE FRONT BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE BED ARE NO LONGER DOING ANYTHING TO HOLD THE BED DOWN. THIS RESULTS IN THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE BED FLOPPING AROUND AND BOUNCING WHEN DRIVING. TO ADD INSULT TO INJU…
Read full complaint
THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE BED RUSTED APART AND NOW HAS A THREE TO FIVE INCH GAP BETWEEN FRONT BED WALL AND BED FLOOR. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE FRONT BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE BED ARE NO LONGER DOING ANYTHING TO HOLD THE BED DOWN. THIS RESULTS IN THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE BED FLOPPING AROUND AND BOUNCING WHEN DRIVING. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY THE REAR PORTION OF THE FRAME WHEN THE LEAF SPRING SHACKLES MOUNT ARE RUSTED THROUGH WITH SEVERAL HOLES VISIBLE, AND THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE LEAF SPRING SHACKLE RUSTED APART AND BUSTED OFF THE FRAME THE OTHER DAY WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT TOOK ME 11 HOURS TO GRIND OFF THE OLD RIVETS AND REPLACE THE SHACKLE BUT AM UNSURE IF THE FRAME WILL HOLD UP DUE TO THE SEVERE PERFORATION'S FROM RUSTING. THE OTHER SIDE HAS NOT COMPROMISED YET BUT IT IS IN REALLY BAD SHAPE AND WILL BE FALLING APART IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. HOPEFULLY IT WONT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT DOES GO.
NHTSA ODI #11034255
113,000 miles · Sep 20, 2017
Suspension
REAR BUMPER MOUNT FRAME ROT
NHTSA ODI #11024715
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2017
Suspension
HAD A RIGHT REAR SPRING SHACKLE REPLACED FROM BEING BROKEN IN HALF FROM CORROSION OF RUST. AUTO REPAIR SHOP SAID "REAR FRAME RAILS ARE PAPER THIN FROM RUST." "ESPECIALLY THE RIGHT SIDE". THEY TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T PASS INSPECTION EVEN AFTER THE INSPECTION HAD JUST BEEN RENEWED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. RUST DOESN'T HAPPEN THA…
Read full complaint
HAD A RIGHT REAR SPRING SHACKLE REPLACED FROM BEING BROKEN IN HALF FROM CORROSION OF RUST. AUTO REPAIR SHOP SAID "REAR FRAME RAILS ARE PAPER THIN FROM RUST." "ESPECIALLY THE RIGHT SIDE". THEY TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T PASS INSPECTION EVEN AFTER THE INSPECTION HAD JUST BEEN RENEWED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. RUST DOESN'T HAPPEN THAT FAST.
NHTSA ODI #11021588
87,000 miles · Aug 15, 2016
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other
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
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 ↗
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.
2003 Ford Ranger Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration