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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

Suspension complaints

23 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2004
Suspension

THERE IS NO INCIDENT AND PERHAPS THIS MAY NOT BE THE CORRECT PLACE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT BUT YOU CAN BE THE JUDGE OF THAT. MY COMPLAINT IS I OWN A 2003 FORD RANGER 4WD SUPER CAB WITH GOODYEAR FACTORY INSTALLED TIRES WHICH ARE WEARING UNUSUALLY (CUPPING/CHOPPING). TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED BY FORD DEALER, BALANCED, PROPER AIR PR…

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THERE IS NO INCIDENT AND PERHAPS THIS MAY NOT BE THE CORRECT PLACE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT BUT YOU CAN BE THE JUDGE OF THAT. MY COMPLAINT IS I OWN A 2003 FORD RANGER 4WD SUPER CAB WITH GOODYEAR FACTORY INSTALLED TIRES WHICH ARE WEARING UNUSUALLY (CUPPING/CHOPPING). TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED BY FORD DEALER, BALANCED, PROPER AIR PRESSURE MAINTAINED AND ALIGNMENT CHECKED. VEHICLE HAS 16,500 MILES ON IT. TIRES ARE CAUSING VIBRATION AND NOISE. I BELIEVE THERE IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE I CAN'T FEEL OR HEAR IF ANOTHER COMPONENT IS FAILING. DEALER HAS TOLD ME HE SEES AN AVERAGE OF 6 FORD RANGERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM EACH WEEK. FORD TELLS ME THERE IS NO RECALL OR DIRECTIVE TO REPLACE THE TIRES AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THEM. GOODYEAR TELLS ME THAT FORD HAS ISSUED A BROADCAST SERVICE BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERS TO REPLACE THESE TIRES WITH A LARGER SIZE. HAVE NO ACCESS TO THIS BULLETIN BUT QUESTIONED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO ACCESS TO BROADCAST BULLETINS. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THIS TYPE OF TIRE IS NOT EXPECTED TO WEAR NORMALLY BECAUSE OF ITS DESIGN. WHY THEN PUT IT ON THE VEHICLE? CONVERSATION WITH FORD WAS ON THE PHONE AND I SHOULD HAVE WRITTEN EXACTLY WHAT THEY SAID BUT THIS IS PRETTY MUCH IT. IF THE DEALER IS SEEING THIS MANY VEHICLES EACH WEEK THERE MUST BE A HUGE PROBLEM SOMEWHERE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10104049

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2004
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHILCE WAS IN DRIVE WITH THE CONSUMER'S FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGUNE TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10067211

100 miles · Oct 3, 2003
SuspensionTires

CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TIRES CONSTANTLY VIBRATE. NOT POSSIBLE TO HAVE BALANCE LAST MORE THAN 100 MILES BEFORE VIBRATION STARTS AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10041179

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.