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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,244 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 body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2003 Ford Ranger Owner Comments

problem #9

Feb 022015

Ranger 6-cyl

  • 89,950 miles

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

Chassis and suspension exhibits excessive corrosion for the year and miles. Very heavily corroded and pitted while the exterior is rust free. The truck is a 2003 with 90000 miles.

- Moore, OK, USA

problem #8

Aug 192014

Ranger

  • 44,000 miles
The under-bed spare tire holder rotted off the frame and dropped the entire assembly to the ground while the vehicle was driving.

- North Smithfield, RI, USA

problem #7

Apr 102014

Ranger

  • 110,500 miles
Truck made a clunking noise going around a turn. Checked it out and found the rear spring shackle and hanger had rusted off. When replacing found the spare tire well and hanger all rusted which could have dropped the spare tire onto the road. Also the frame is rusted completely through and needs repaired. Also with it rusted at the rear where the hitch attaches I could lose anything I maybe trailering. My frame is horrible for the year and unsafe.

- Halifax, PA, USA

problem #6

Nov 262010

Ranger

  • 232,000 miles

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

I own a 2003 Ford Ranger I bought new. On November 26 2010 I pulled into the parking lot @ work and my clutch and brake pedals fell to the floor causing a minor crash. The pivot bracket that holds the steel pedals is made from cast aluminum. I have been a aluminum welder for over 10 years and in my opinion this bracket is very substandard. I searched the web and found that other people had the same thing happen on Ranger and other trucks and Ford cars. If I was on the road this could have been much worse. I sent pictures and a piece of the bracket to a recall investigator. He said its not a common failure since he cant find any complaints.

- Victoria, 00, USA

problem #5

Nov 252008

Ranger

  • 43,220 miles
While using ramps to load lawn equipment into the bed of my 2003 Ford Ranger pickup, both of the tailgate limit cables broke simultaneously. Examination of the failed cabled indicated they both broke at the same location, roughly the midpoint of the cable where it is folded when the tailgate is in the up position. It would appear that water might have entered the cable sheath and rusted the cable. This failure resulted in the tailgate dropping approximately six inched and nearly causing two persons plus heavy equipment to fall to the ground. This could have resulted in serious injury. This appears to be a classic design flaw. I tried to get new cables from Ford, but they are on backorder pending re-design (according to the parts department at the Ford dealer I went to). This seems to indicate that Ford is aware of the problem but has not notified its customers.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

problem #4

Apr 102006

Ranger 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,522 miles
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.

- Pembroke Pines , FL, USA

problem #3

Sep 012003

Ranger 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

The silver coating on the dash board around the radio and ac unit is rubbing off.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #2

Jul 282003

(reported on)

Ranger 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer feels that bracket on vehicle is a safety hazard. When the rear door was opened, at the top of the door opening a bracket extended from the frame which was used as a closing device. The consumer's wife was hit in the head by the extended bracket while trying to get in the back seat of the truck.

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #1

Jun 232003

(reported on)

Ranger

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer callled complaining about having problems with the dashboard, cannot be visible if there is a shadw hitting the dashboard. Manufacturer was contacted, and stated that there was nothing they can do.

- Port Townsend, WA, USA

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