2003 Ford RANGER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
243 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
56,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 185 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 31 of 243 complaints (12.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 65 | 26.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 17 | 7.0% |
| Steering behavior | 13 | 5.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 12 | 4.9% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 4.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 2.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 31 |
| Structure:Body | 25 |
| Suspension | 21 |
| Air Bags | 18 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 17 |
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Engine | 9 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 31; Structure:Body: 25; Suspension: 21; Air Bags: 18; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 17; Electrical System: 14; Unknown Or Other: 12; Engine: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 63 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 22 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 30 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 20 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 35 |
| 150,000 and above | 15 |
Under 25,000: 63; 25,000 to 49,999: 22; 50,000 to 74,999: 30; 75,000 to 99,999: 20; 100,000 to 149,999: 35; 150,000 and above: 15
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (63). 58 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 31 |
| 2004 | 35 |
| 2005 | 27 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 18 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2002: 2; 2003: 31; 2004: 35; 2005: 27; 2006: 6; 2007: 11; 2008: 9; 2009: 8; 2010: 17; 2011: 9; 2012: 6; 2013: 8; 2014: 12; 2015: 9; 2016: 18; 2017: 11; 2018: 7; 2019: 5; 2020: 5; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 65 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 17 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10019885 · 2003-05-14 (May 14, 2003)
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED AND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP PROPERLY AND ACTED AS IF THE BRAKES WERE MANUAL, THE BRAKES HAD TO BE PUMPED BEFORE THE TRUCK STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP PREVIOUSLY BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED TO RELEASE. *JB *TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019885 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021856 · 2003-05-29 (May 29, 2003)
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES WHILE DRIVING STOPPING DISTANCE WAS GREATLY INCREASED AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD TO DEPRESS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE ANY PROBLEM. ONE DAY, CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES, BUT PEDAL WAS VERY HARD, VEHICLE THEN COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021856 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037607 · 2003-08-26 (August 26, 2003)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AND JUMP FORWARD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037607 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10047540 · 2003-11-25 (November 25, 2003)
SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD: VEHICLE THROTTLE ACTUATES INDEPENDENTLY WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED. I PURCHASED A USED 2003 FORD RANGER 2 WHEEL DRIVE EXTENDED CAB 4 DOOR MODEL WITH A 3.0 L ENGINE WITH 21123 MILES 3 WEEKS AGO. THREE TIMES I HAVE COME TO A STOP, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE THROTTLE HAS INDEPENDENTLY ACTUATED. THIS DEFECT OCCURS WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP. SPECIFICALLY AT THE EXACT TIME MY FOOT DEPRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL THE THROTTLE ACTUATES BY ITSELF TO INCREASE THE ENGINE RPM. ( I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE THROTTLE PE…
Owner-reported narrative. 21,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039342 · 2003-09-23 (September 23, 2003)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 26 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100677 · 2004-11-28 (November 28, 2004)
SLID OFF ROAD, DRIVERS TIRES BLEW OUT VEHICLE ROLLED TWICE. DRIVER NOR PASSENGER SEATBELT RESTRAINED UPPER BODY. DRIVER'S HEAD WEDGED UNDER STEERING WHEEL AND UPPER LEFT BACK SHOULDER AND ARM EXITED THE VEHICLE. ROOF CAVED IN ON DRIVER, RESULTING IN MULTIPLE BREAKS, FRACTURES AND PARTIAL PARALLIZATION. PASSENGERS LEGS HIT CHEST FROM LACK OF RESTRAINING SEATBELT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 11,155 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100677 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043145 · 2003-10-18 (October 18, 2003)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,621 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043145 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10091052 · 2004-09-15 (September 15, 2004)
THE 2003 FORD RANGER DEVELOPED A GAS LEAK OFF THE FUEL PUMP AFTER FURTHER SEARCH FOPUND THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING DUE TO A FUEL LINE BREAK AND THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP THE PLASTIC TOP WAS CRACKED AND BROKEN. VEN #IFTYR14V23PA70793/36077MILES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 36,077 miles reported. Look up ODI 10091052 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039652 · 2003-09-03 (September 3, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10039652 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073492 · 2004-05-11 (May 11, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH VEHICLE LOST POWER. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED SIX TIMES. ELECTRICAL INERTIA SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH ONCE, AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073492 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10113547 · 2005-02-18 (February 18, 2005)
2003 FORD RANGER AIRBAGS SYMBOL ON THE DASH STARTED COMING ON. *BF A RIVET RUBBED AGAINST AIR BAG WIRING UNDER THE CARPET WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 52,086 miles reported. Look up ODI 10113547 at NHTSA ↗