Ford knows about the problems with the dual clutch and they are refusing to fix them. I have been giving the run around om trying to get my car fixed. I am a disabled veteran and all I get is they can't help. I just found out about these cars have this problem and ford has know about his problem for years.. they need to fix this. They again to be held according selling bad products to the public.
The worst 2003 Ford Ranger problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body43
- Acceleration40
- Brakes35
- Engine27
- Airbags25
- Suspension23
- Fuel system18
- Electrical17
- Transmission16
- Tires10
- Seat belts9
- Steering7
- Lights6
- Locks5
- Wheels4
- Seats2
- Visibility1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Ford Ranger
Sudden acceleration 12Stalling 11Airbag light 10Fire or smoke 10No deployment 9Adaptive cruise 7Brake failure 7Grinding brakes 7ABS 5Fuel pump 5Tire blowout 5
Recalls 1
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 09V399000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2003 Ford Ranger
Defect investigations
Brake lights inoperative
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 the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
PE05066
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Ford Ranger 68
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected
- Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit...
- Possible engine damage - install special service tools prior to removing crankshaft pulley bolt. kb
- Possible engine damage - install special service tools prior to removing crankshaft pulley bolt - service...
- Buck/jerk and miss during drive cycle above 3000 RPM - no DTC - 3.0L 2V gas and ffv engine. tt
- Safety belt retraction speed. tt
- Brake lamp concerns. tt
- Front axle leaks fluid from vent tube - vehicles equipped with 4X4 or AWD. tt
- Inside door pull handle loose - vehicles built before 11/15/2002 and equipped with power windows/door...
- High idle at cold start. tt
2003 Ford Ranger fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4‑cyl | RWD | 20-21 | 24-26 | 22-23 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15-17 | 20-21 | 17-18 |
| 4.0L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15 | 19-20 | 16-17 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 15-16 | 18-19 | 16-17 |
| 4.0L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14 | 17 | 15 |
What 2003 Ford Ranger owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Truck has no spare tire, totally missing the assembly and bracket originally used to hold the tire (have a junk one in the bed). The crossmember under the truck is about 50% intact is getting ready to fall off. Brake lines and rocker panals rotted out as well. Holes in the frame starting and a patch was already needed on the frame (drivers side rear). As well as a loose bed. The truck is very clean on top but underneath is rotting away like it has 200000 miles on it(truck is at 77,000). I want to remove the rust and coat it but im scared of punching through cause spots are brittle.
The frame of my truck has rotted through. The strap that holds the gas tank has nothing to connect to, i think the tank could fall to the ground under the right circumstances. The frame has a large whole in it and i fear it will break very soon. I had to remove the spare tire because i feared it would fall off the truck. I had to replace both connectors that held the leaf springs to the frame,and was told there wasn't much left to connect them to.
Airbag warning light always on.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, an abnormal, rattling noise began to emit from the rear of the vehicle without warning. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the rear cross members had rotted out due to severe corrosion. The contact also stated that the fuel tank was no longer being supported due to the failure. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
I had been noticing some squeaking form the rear of my 2003 Ford Ranger. I thought it was my breaks. It turned out that the mounts for the rear springs had rusted out. My mechanic also noticed a hole, in the frame, resulting from rust. The hole is located on the inside surface of the frame on the passenger side just forward of the passenger compartment. Since the hole was discovered I stopped using the Ranger due to safety concerns.
The contact owns a 2003 ford ranger. The contact stated while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the spare tire detached from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was driven back to the residence and inspected. The driver noticed that the undercarriage and sub-frame were severely corroded. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic stated that the sub-frame had rusted out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000
When at stop light engine rpms go up high where it is hard to hold vehicle still with brakes.
Body, frame and suspension have all been rusted out. Bumper recently just fell off due to rust (while parked). Doors won't shut completely due to rust, which has LED to the interior light remaining on or periodically turning on throughout the day/night and killing the battery. Entire truck is one big pile of rust on wheels.
Chassis rotting out. Lost spare tire carrier and rear frame support. Spring perch rotted off chassis. Other areas are beginning to rot out on frame rails! Things came apart in motion but was able to safely remove upon stopping
Compare the 2003 Ford Ranger
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2003 Ford Ranger
Is the 2003 Ford Ranger reliable?
Owners have filed 243 complaints about the 2003 Ford Ranger, close to a typical Ranger model year.
What is the 2003 Ford Ranger year score?
The 2003 Ford Ranger scores 69 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Ranger: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Ford Ranger?
Body and structure, with 43 complaints, typically around 86,000 miles. Next is acceleration (40).
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Ranger have?
1 recall, covering vehicle speed control.
What year does the Ford Ranger have the most body problems?
The Ford Ranger model years with the most body complaints are 2001 (112 complaints), 2000 (105 complaints) and 1999 (89 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Ford Ranger get?
Official estimates for the 2003 Ford Ranger range from 15 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.3L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 20-21 city and 24-26 highway.
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