VehicleVerdict

2003 Ford Ranger problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 310 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median Ranger year — the 2003 model ranks #15 of 42 Ranger years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 57 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (43), speed control (40), and brakes (38), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

310

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

51

Crash-involved

14

Fires reported

57

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Ranger years?

Ranger NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted966 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 1 complaints1983: 13 complaints1984: 12 complaints1985: 33 complaints1986: 50 complaints1987: 58 complaints1988: 117 complaints1989: 88 complaints1990: 141 complaints1991: 145 complaints1992: 231 complaints1993: 272 complaints1994: 531 complaints1995: 451 complaints1996: 533 complaints1997: 536 complaints1998: 744 complaints1999: 966 complaints2000: 849 complaints2001: 687 complaints2002: 449 complaints2003: 310 complaints2004: 462 complaints2005: 353 complaints2006: 316 complaints2007: 282 complaints2008: 340 complaints2009: 178 complaints2010: 170 complaints2011: 260 complaints2014: 1 complaints2016: 1 complaints2017: 1 complaints2019: 341 complaints2020: 148 complaints2021: 147 complaints2022: 50 complaints2023: 20 complaints2024: 85 complaints2025: 47 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Ranger NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Ranger years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Ford Ranger problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure4314%
Speed Control4013%
Brakes3812%
Engine279%
Airbags258%
Suspension237%
Fuel System196%
Electrical System186%
Transmission175%
Tires & Wheels145%
Other134%
Seat Belts93%
Steering83%
Lighting72%
Latches & Locks52%
Seats21%
Child Seat10%
Visibility & Wipers10%

Does the 2003 Ford Ranger have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V399000Speed ControlOctober 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

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

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.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

06E065000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 3,593 units

Defect

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 31, 2004 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 14, 2016 · crash

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 28, 2003 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE AND TURNING ON THE HEATER, SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE VENTS. A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS USED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. AUTONATION FORD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 11, 2019 · fire

“2003 FORD RANGER PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL 2 OR 3 SEC. AFTER THE ACCIDENT TRUCK HIT TREE ABOUT 40 MPH DRIVERS AIR BAG WENT OFF PASSENGERS DID NOT GO OFF PASSENGER BROKE BACK REAR BED OF TRUCK CAME INTO TRUCK LEAVING A ARROW SHAPE PEACE OF STEAL APPROX 4" LONG INSIDE OF TRUCK CAB WARE A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 22, 2009 · crash

2003 Ford Ranger — common questions

Is the 2003 Ford Ranger reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 310 complaints put the 2003 model at #15 of 42 Ranger years. It is one of the Ranger years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 Ranger problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (43 complaints), speed control (40 complaints), brakes (38 complaints).

Does the 2003 Ford Ranger have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Ford Ranger. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Ford Ranger under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Ranger years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ranger years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 1998, 2001, 1997, 1996, 1994, 2004, 1995, 2002, 2005, 2019, 2008, 2006, 2003, 2007, 1993, 2011, 2020. The cleanest record among Ranger years belongs to 2017.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.