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 reports
4,000 miles · Jun 1, 2018
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FRIENDLY FORD (2800 N TELEGRAPH RD, MONROE, MI 48162) TO BE REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN AIR BAG RECALL. UPON ARRIVING AT THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS CHARGED A FEE TO REPLACE WIRES THAT WERE CUT DURING THE AIR BAG REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FRIENDLY FORD (2800 N TELEGRAPH RD, MONROE, MI 48162) TO BE REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN AIR BAG RECALL. UPON ARRIVING AT THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS CHARGED A FEE TO REPLACE WIRES THAT WERE CUT DURING THE AIR BAG REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V788000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
NHTSA ODI #11099165
14,600 miles · May 28, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
EVERY SO OFTEN WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATE ONE TIME I ALMOST BACKED INTO SOMEBODY THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO THEIR FORD RANGER 2003
NHTSA ODI #11098273
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2018
Structure
FRAME IN REAR OF VEHICLE HAS HOLES ON BOTH THE LEFT SIDE AND RIGHT SIDE. ALSO WHERE THE SPARE TIRE IS HELD IS ALSO ROTTED OUT , CAN NOT HOLD A SPARE TIRE. ALSO THE CROSS MEMBER THAT HOLDES THE THE GAS TANK STRAP IS ALSO ROTTING.DUE TO THE ROTTED FRAME THE TRUCK IS UNABLE TO TOW ANYTHING WITH. OTHER THAN THE FRAME THE TRUCK IS …
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FRAME IN REAR OF VEHICLE HAS HOLES ON BOTH THE LEFT SIDE AND RIGHT SIDE. ALSO WHERE THE SPARE TIRE IS HELD IS ALSO ROTTED OUT , CAN NOT HOLD A SPARE TIRE. ALSO THE CROSS MEMBER THAT HOLDES THE THE GAS TANK STRAP IS ALSO ROTTING.DUE TO THE ROTTED FRAME THE TRUCK IS UNABLE TO TOW ANYTHING WITH. OTHER THAN THE FRAME THE TRUCK IS IN GOOD CONDITION
NHTSA ODI #11090913
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
135,000 miles · Dec 7, 2017
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. WHILE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO RECEIVE NEW TIRES AT SCHIERL TIRE AND SERVICE CENTER (1002 S 8TH STREET, MEDFORD, WI 54451; 715-748-2963), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR FRAME NEAR THE SHACKLES AND BUMPER WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE RUST WAS SO BAD THAT NOTHING COULD BE ATTACHED TO THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. WHILE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO RECEIVE NEW TIRES AT SCHIERL TIRE AND SERVICE CENTER (1002 S 8TH STREET, MEDFORD, WI 54451; 715-748-2963), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR FRAME NEAR THE SHACKLES AND BUMPER WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE RUST WAS SO BAD THAT NOTHING COULD BE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. THE CONTACT CALLED MEDFORD MOTORS (105 WISCONSIN AVENUE, MEDFORD, WI 54451; 715-748-3700) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS PREMATURE AND THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA ODI #11053351
180,000 miles · Nov 3, 2017
Air Bags
AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT IT IS A DEFECT WITH THE AIRBAG. I DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE PRICE OF REPLACING IT ~ IF IT IS THE COMPANIES FAULT THAT MADE THE AIRBAG.
NHTSA ODI #11043087
155,680 miles · Nov 2, 2017
Air BagsSeat BeltsSteeringCrashInjury
I WAS RECENTLY AN ACCIDENT DURING WHICH 3 THINGS OCCURRED THAT CONTRIBUTED TO MY INJURIES. THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS STEERING WHEEL LOCKUP PREVENTING ME FROM TURNING OUT OF THE WAY. THE 2ND & 3RD THINGS OCCURRED WHEN THE TRUCK WAS IN FREE FALL. FIRST OF ALL THE SEATBELT FAILED TO RESTRAINED MY BODY DURING THE ACCIDENT SE…
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I WAS RECENTLY AN ACCIDENT DURING WHICH 3 THINGS OCCURRED THAT CONTRIBUTED TO MY INJURIES. THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS STEERING WHEEL LOCKUP PREVENTING ME FROM TURNING OUT OF THE WAY. THE 2ND & 3RD THINGS OCCURRED WHEN THE TRUCK WAS IN FREE FALL. FIRST OF ALL THE SEATBELT FAILED TO RESTRAINED MY BODY DURING THE ACCIDENT SENDING ME STRAIGHT INTO THE STEERING WHEEL DURING WHICH TIME THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SO THERE WAS NOTHING TO BRAKE MY IMPACT TO SAID STEERING WHEEL. ALL OF THE THIS TOOK PLACE ON A FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS I WAS LUCKY THAT MY INJURIES WERE NOT WORSE THEN THEY ARE AND IN TIME THEY WILL HEAL. I WAS LUCKY, BUT THE NEXT PERSON MAY NOT BE SO, YOU NEED TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER THOROUGHLY BECAUSE THE NEXT PERSON MAY DIE AS A RESULT OF THESE SAFETY FAILURES, AND THAT IS SOMETHING NONE US WANT.
NHTSA ODI #11042267
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2017
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL
NHTSA ODI #11040787
150,000 miles · Oct 18, 2017
Structure
RANGER REAR FRAME IS RUSTING HEAVILY. SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY MAY BE UNRELIABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11034465
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…
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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.
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
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