IllustrationI WAS BLINDED BY ONCOMING HEAD LIGHTS NOT SET TO HIGH BEAM AND DISTRACTION FROM VERY BRIGHT HEAD LIGHTS IN REAR VIEW MIRROR (ALSO NOT ON HIGH BEAM). THE SOURCE IS FORD RANGER PICKUPS BUILT IN THE LAST 5 YEARS. OTHER MAKES OF TRUCKS AND SUV'S CAN BE BAD, BUT THE RANGER IS THE WORST OF THE BUNCH. *LA
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 reportsWHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, AND HIT A TREE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
AFTER DRIVING 52 MILES (10 MILES CITY & 42 MILES HIGHWAY) WITH A FULL TANK OF FUEL, THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE USED 1/4 TANK OF FUEL. VEHICLE GETS BETWEEN 17 & 20 MILES TO THE GALLON. APPROXIMATE RANGE PER 1/4 TANK SHOULD BE BETWEEN 83 & 98 MILES. VEHICLE HAS A 19.5 GALLON FUEL TANK. THE FUEL GAUGE COMES OFF OF FU…
Read full complaint
AFTER DRIVING 52 MILES (10 MILES CITY & 42 MILES HIGHWAY) WITH A FULL TANK OF FUEL, THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE USED 1/4 TANK OF FUEL. VEHICLE GETS BETWEEN 17 & 20 MILES TO THE GALLON. APPROXIMATE RANGE PER 1/4 TANK SHOULD BE BETWEEN 83 & 98 MILES. VEHICLE HAS A 19.5 GALLON FUEL TANK. THE FUEL GAUGE COMES OFF OF FULL VERY QUICKLY AND WHEN FILLING THE TANK WITH THE FUEL GAUGE IN THE RED (JUST OFF OF EMPTY) IT WILL ONLY TAKE 13.7 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE TANK HAS BEEN DRAINED AND FILLED TO VERIFY THAT THE TANK IS A 19.5 TANK. THE FUEL GAUGE AND FUEL METER HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED WITHOUT ANY CHANGE IN THE CONDITION. WAS ADVISED BY FORD THAT THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN (NHTSA # 0179/FORD #01-11-2) TO ADDRESS THIS EXACT CONCERN FOR 2001 MODEL YEAR FORD RANGERS. THE SUMMARY DESCRIPTION STATES: SOME VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 3/26/2001 MAY EXHIBIT A FUEL GAUGE THAT DROPS FROM FULL TOO FAST OR INDICATES LESS THAN THE ACTUAL FUEL LEFT IN HE TANK (EXCESSIVE TANK RESERVE). WAS ADVISED THAT THIS APPROXIMATE 6 GALLON RESERVE WAS THERE TO ALLOW THE CUSTOMER TO MAKE IT TO A FILLING STATION SAFELY WITH THE TANK ON E. THIS IS TELLING ME THAT WHEN THE TANK READS ALMOST EMPTY THERE IS STILL OVER A QUARTER TANK OF FUEL IN THE TANK. WITH THE GAUGE READING THIS WAY YOU ARE NOT SURE HOW MUCH FUEL YOU HAVE. FOR THE PRICE OF VEHICLES, CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO RELY ON CALCULATING THEIR MILEAGE AND USING THE ODOMETER TO GUESS THERE FUEL RANGE. I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE FUEL GAUGE. *LA
CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TIRES CONSTANTLY VIBRATE. NOT POSSIBLE TO HAVE BALANCE LAST MORE THAN 100 MILES BEFORE VIBRATION STARTS AGAIN. *JB
INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING. HAS HAPPENED CONSISTENTLY SINCE PURCHASE OF T HE VEHICLE IN MAY 2003. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE TWICE AND EACH TIME THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO CONFIRM THE DEFECT SO NO REPAIR HAS BEEN MADE TO DATE. THE TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER TO DRIVE UNTIL DEFECT IS NOTED.
BRAKE AND ENGINE PROBLEMS. *MR THE ROTORS WERE TURNED ON THE FRONT BRAKES AND A IDLER WAS INSTALLED BECAUSE THE ENGINE STALLED OUT. (TWICE AFTER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED THE VEHICLE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM) *SCC *JB
DEALER REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. VEHICLE HAD ONLY 400 MILES. *AK
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AND JUMP FORWARD. *AK
VEHICLE'S BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO FUNCTION AS THE TURN SIGNALS INDICATORS. CONSUMER FEELS THIS DESIGN IS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE IF YOUR ARE BRAKING AND SIGNALING FOR A TURN, YOU LOSE 1/2 OF BRAKING "VISIBILITY" TO ALERT OTHER TRAVELING VEHICLES. THIS DESIGN DEFECT INCREASED THE RISK OF REAR-END COLLISIONS.
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.