IllustrationTRUCK BUCKS/JERKS DURING DRIVE CYCLE WHEN IN 3RD OR 4TH GEAR, RPM ~2500. *JB
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
What owners actually said
243 reportsI 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 DO WITH TH…
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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 DO WITH THE SAFETY BELT RETENTIONER. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS WAS ACTUALLY A SAFETY ISSUE OR NOT. NO ONE WOULD TELL ME HOW MANY FORD RANGERS HAD THIS PROBLEM, IF THIS WOULD CAUSE ANY FAILURE IN THE SEAT BELT OR THE AIR BAG. EVEN THOUGH I FELT THIS WAS A FAILURE OF THE AIR BAG AND SAFETY BELT SYSTEM WAS CHARGED FOR THIS REPAIR. (I WAS STILL UNDER FORD'S 50000 SAFETY SYSTEM WARRANTY.) I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST, BUT I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE PRETENTIONER WAS NOT REPLACED AND WHETHER THIS WILL OCCUR AGAIN. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, A SOUND OF METAL ON METAL WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THE PAD SEPARATED FROM THE CALIPER HOLDER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE PASSENGER FRONT BRAKE PAD. UPDATED 12/12/2006 - *NM
A FAILED ROLLER ROCKER DESTROYED A CAM AND LIFTER AFTER ONLY 66,000 MILES. 3,000 MILES PREVIOUS I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THEY COULDN'T HEAR THE NOISE. BY THE TIME THEY COULD HEAR IT, THE DAMAGE HAD MORE THAN TRIPLED. THE FAILURE WAS DEFINITELY CAUSED BY THE DEFECTIVE ROLLER ROCKER(THE PART IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTIO…
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A FAILED ROLLER ROCKER DESTROYED A CAM AND LIFTER AFTER ONLY 66,000 MILES. 3,000 MILES PREVIOUS I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THEY COULDN'T HEAR THE NOISE. BY THE TIME THEY COULD HEAR IT, THE DAMAGE HAD MORE THAN TRIPLED. THE FAILURE WAS DEFINITELY CAUSED BY THE DEFECTIVE ROLLER ROCKER(THE PART IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION). *NM
SEVERE WATER LEAK IN ROOF AND REAR WINDOW EXACT LOCATION NOT DETERMINED YET. OWNER NOTICED WATER DRIPPING ON DRIVERS SEAT. UNDER HEAVY RAIN CONDITIONS THE CAB WILL FILL UP WITH WATER -ALL OVER THE FLOOR, CARPETS, MATS, ETC. WATER HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO INTERIOR AND UPHOLSTERY. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO FORD''S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE…
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SEVERE WATER LEAK IN ROOF AND REAR WINDOW EXACT LOCATION NOT DETERMINED YET. OWNER NOTICED WATER DRIPPING ON DRIVERS SEAT. UNDER HEAVY RAIN CONDITIONS THE CAB WILL FILL UP WITH WATER -ALL OVER THE FLOOR, CARPETS, MATS, ETC. WATER HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO INTERIOR AND UPHOLSTERY. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO FORD''S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY REFUSED TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS REPAIR THE LEAK AND DAMAGE TO INTERIOR. THEY TOLD ME LEAKS ARE COMMON AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. SECOND DEFECT: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY WILL EVEN GET HUNG UP IN A GEAR; CAUSES HEAVY VIBRATION UPON BRAKING. SOME STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN RECENTLY REPLACED BY OWNERS EXPENSE. *JB
CONSUMER REQUESTING INFORMATION ON 2003 RANGER DEFECTS. *TS A FRIEND OF THE CONSUMER'S DOWNLOADED COMPLAINTS THAT WERE SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEMS THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED WITH HIS VEHICLE. *NM WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE TRUCK BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE SPED UP TO APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH BEFORE THE C…
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CONSUMER REQUESTING INFORMATION ON 2003 RANGER DEFECTS. *TS A FRIEND OF THE CONSUMER'S DOWNLOADED COMPLAINTS THAT WERE SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEMS THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED WITH HIS VEHICLE. *NM WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE TRUCK BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE SPED UP TO APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH BEFORE THE CONSUMER COULD GET IT TO STOP. THREE MONTHS LATER WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND STRUCK SEVERAL VEHICLES. THIS ACCIDENT CAUSED SERIOUS INJURIES TO FOUR PEOPLE. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO PROVE THAT THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT THEREFORE HE WAS SENTENCED TO 70 MONTHS IN JAIL. *NM
MY SON-IN-LAW WAS HELPING UNLOAD A BOX FROM THE BED OF MY 2003 FORD RANGER PICKUP AND WAS STANDING ON THE TAILGATE. THE COMBINED TOTAL WEIGHT WAS LESS THAN 200 LBS. WHILE HE WAS STANDING ON THE TAILGATE, BOTH CABLES SECURING THE TAILGATE SNAPPED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING HIM TO FALL OFF THE TRUCK TAILGATE. HE WAS NOT INJURED. …
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MY SON-IN-LAW WAS HELPING UNLOAD A BOX FROM THE BED OF MY 2003 FORD RANGER PICKUP AND WAS STANDING ON THE TAILGATE. THE COMBINED TOTAL WEIGHT WAS LESS THAN 200 LBS. WHILE HE WAS STANDING ON THE TAILGATE, BOTH CABLES SECURING THE TAILGATE SNAPPED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING HIM TO FALL OFF THE TRUCK TAILGATE. HE WAS NOT INJURED. SOME SCRATCHING OF THE TAILGATE OCCURRED AS IT STRUCK THE BUMPER. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER, BUT SINCE IT IS A FEW MONTHS PAST WARRANTY (ALTHOUGH WITH ONLY 21,000 MILES). THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE CABLE REPLACEMENT. I CALLED THE FORD CONSUMER LINE, AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN REPAIRING THE DEFECT EITHER. THERE WAS NO EXISTING DAMAGE TO THE CABLES, AND THE TRUCK IS NOT USED COMMERCIALLY, NOR HAS IT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE PARTS HAVE NOT YET BEEN REPLACED. THE OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT ANY TIME. *NM
FOG LAMP LENSES ON 2003 FORD RANGER PICK-UP TRUCK KEEP CRACKING. DEALER CLAIMS ROADSIDE DEBRIS IS THE CAUSE. HOWEVER, BOTH LENSES HAVE CRACKED TWICE AT THE SAME TIME. COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE TWICE TO FORD MOTOR CO. WHICH HAS NO RECALL RECORD FOR THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT A PATCH OF ICE ON THE ROAD. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A DITCH. THE VEHICLE THEN ROLLED AND HIT AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE T BUSTED IN TO FLAMES. THE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT EXPLODED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE…
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DT: THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT A PATCH OF ICE ON THE ROAD. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A DITCH. THE VEHICLE THEN ROLLED AND HIT AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE T BUSTED IN TO FLAMES. THE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT EXPLODED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THIS TIME TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPLODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK
DT: THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE BRAKE PADS CHANGED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WHERE CORRODED AND PITTED. THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK UPDATED 01/04/06. *JB
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.