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2.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,144 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Ford Ranger miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2003 Ford Ranger Owner Comments

problem #11

Dec 202018

Ranger

  • 160,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine quit running, took to mechanic. Spark plug overheated blew wire off. Engine had water in oil. Engine is ruined. Was on highway.had to use wrecker to mechanic.only 160,000 miles on highway. Thought recall on Ford trucks to engines giving away prematurely.

- Strawberry Plains, TN, USA

problem #10

Sep 072018

Ranger

  • 112,000 miles
My 2003 Ford Ranger edge frame has rusted around the fuel strap on the driver side. The frame has rusted clear through and broke in half. I have seen several complaints on the internet as this is similar to what was happening to the Toyota truck that had it's frame recalled.

- Sugar Grove, OH, USA

problem #9

Sep 302017

Ranger

  • miles
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.

- East Burke, VT, USA

problem #8

Jul 072017

Ranger

  • 81,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The spare tire carrier(the sheet metal part that is attached to the frame)rusted and fell off the truck while the truck was going down the road.

- Mansfield, OH, USA

problem #7

May 052017

Ranger

  • 121,000 miles
When coming to a slow stop at a city street or highway at stop signs and stoplights the truck starts to accelerate as I push the brake. When I apply the brakes the vehicle suddenly accelerates to a high RPM 3500, plus the tires squeal and 3 plus seconds later I turn the key off before restarting the truck. When I restart the truck it seems to be okay. This has happed to me 4 times, and so far no damage to property or persons. I have parked the truck as I feel it is unsafe to continue to drive the truck. It is not safe to drive. The last time I drove it, I was going to a friends home at a gated community. As I tried to stop to enter to stop to enter the code the truck accelerated as I braked the I turned the key off and the truck came to a stop. I have been fortunate so far that I have not hit another vehicle, object or person when these incidents have happened.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #6

Aug 102016

Ranger

  • 87,000 miles
Entire frame rusted out. Won't pass inspection. Obviously an ongoing problem. Driver side behind cab to bumper very bad. It is actually allthe way into.we got it on a line of credit. We are out of $5000. Rest of truck is really nice

- Draper, VA, USA

problem #5

Jul 162016

Ranger

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Two tires, douglas xtra-trac II, bought from a local big retailer are not under warranty. Both tires bought on April 8, 2016 with less than 5000 miles on them are showing signs of band separation in the outer sidewall. I must contact the manufacturer to get any assistance with the issue. I plan to do this immediately, however, I am concerned that I may have a blowout while driving. Please investigate these tires and save many low income consumers from further auto damage and greater expense. The vehicle is shuddering when operating at speed of 43-65 mph.

- Hendersonville, TN, USA

problem #4

Oct 012015

Ranger

  • 117,000 miles
I was driving my Ford and the back bumper dropped on the driver's side, sending it and the spare tire to the pavement. After further investigation, it has been determined that the frame is rusted through and only holding on by a small bit on the passenger side. Also, the spare tire support is only holding by approximately 1 1/2 inches. In addition, the cross member forward of the spare tire support that supports the evaporative emissions controls is virtually rotted in half.

- Glenfield, NY, USA

problem #3

Feb 052005

Ranger

  • 52,086 miles
2003 Ford Ranger airbags symbol on the dash started coming on. A rivet rubbed against air bag wiring under the carpet which caused the air bag light to illuminate.

- Midland, TX, USA

problem #2

Sep 152004

Ranger 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 9,000 miles
The truck is less than a year old and the paint on the roof is peeling. The best analogy is that it looks like there are spots where it is "sunburned" and the paint is peeling away from the structure. This is an "electric blue" color.

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #1

Oct 172003

Ranger 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer stated dealership didn't inform him about the trucks' inefficiency to exceed the speed of 80 mph. If the truck was driven at that speed it experienced a severe vibration and would not go any faster. The speedometer would register 120 mph.. the consumer was told that 4-wheel drive vehicles should not be driven on dry roads.

- Gahanna, OH, USA

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