2003 Ford Ranger: engine stalls while driving

Filed May 6, 2015 · Engine · 53,670 miles · VT

Engine stalls and won't re-start due to improper activation of the passive anti-theft system (pats) which is faulty. Engine shuts off, no power assist, lights remain functional, anti-theft dashboard light starts to blink. Vehicle will re-start only after removing and re-installing the #19 fuse to re-set the system. It may require several re-sets of thirty or more seconds each, after which the vehicle may run normally for a short distance or up to several months of normal driving. There are folks who shared their similar experiences on-line alerting me to the re-set procedure. I am told the solution to the problem requires the replacement of the power control module, which the pats is part of, and that it is not possible to otherwise disable the pats anti-theft system.

Filed Sep 15, 2014 · Engine · 244,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford ranger. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact restarted the vehicle and the engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 244,000.

Filed Feb 14, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 185,000 miles · LA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford ranger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the headlights and the instrument panel lights suddenly began to flicker followed by the vehicle stalling. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and returned the next day to discover the vehicle had caught on fire and was completely destroyed. The vehicle was towed to a wrecking yard and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the fire. The failure mileage was 185,000.

Filed Oct 5, 2013 · Electrical, Fuel system · 50,000 miles · CA

The truck stalled in traffic. Acted as if it was out of gas, but had half a tank of fuel. Called tow truck. Luckily the driver was able to show me the inertia switch, and how to reset it. Was charged 50 dollars for this, did not have to tow vehicle. Since then it has tripped many times when I have a passenger, it's placement is such that a passenger's feet will trip it very easily. It now also trips for no reason, no passenger, no bumping it etc. It has tripped while driving in the fast lane of freeway, no passenger in vehicle. This is very scary and dangerous. I had to pull to left side of freeway, with no power brakes, no power steering etc. Exit vehicle, go to passenger side open door and reset switch. Very dangerous. This "safety feature" can cause an accident, not to mention the multitude of reports I have read of people having vehicles towed and replacing fuel pumps when the issue was actually this switch. I was lucky to get a tow truck driver that was aware of the bad design, and it only cost me the 50 dollar minimum fee for him showing up. I called ford, and they were no help at all. They denied even knowing that a problem exists with this part. I am very disappointed in ford.

Filed Nov 13, 2007 · Engine, Transmission · 74,000 miles · CA

2003 ford ranger 4.0l 4wd at. Two of the six valve seats in the engine dropped causing the engine to lose compression after less than 70k miles. Noticed loss of power, took it in and had to pay over $2k in repairs even though it was still under warranty. The valve seats were replaced. The problem was fixed but a few months later while merging to freeway speeds the car stalled and would not re-start. Towed it in to find that the engine had jumped timing and bent all six crank arms. Again, repairs were made. Top end of the engine was replaced including the cranks. This is ridiculous for a truck with less than $70k miles on. I feel the original repair costs upwards of $2,000.00 should have been covered under the warranty as it was an internal engine issue and been reimbursed. Also a new engine should be installed or vehicle traded as this engine is obviously defective. All the meanwhile the main reason for taking the vehicle in for repairs three times prior was to fix the huge thump and delay on acceleration that almost caused me to get in an accident! The dealer said this was normal for 4wd trucks and there was nothing wrong with it. Yet every 4wd I've driven, even ones with over 100k miles on them, accelerate smoothly with no thumping or delay in acceleration. Nearing the expiration on my warranty due to mileage, I feel the dealership was trying to push the actual repairs off until then. They even said that the cause of the thump was that the transmission mounts were loose. So they "repaired" that but it had no effect and the issue still remains. This is where I stand currently and am trying to get the truck back in the shop, once again, to have this issue fixed so that I do not actually get in an accident. And to add to that, there is once again a loss in power, so we'll find out if the valve seats have once again dropped...

Filed Aug 23, 2005 · Engine · IN

Dt: the contact owns a 2003 ford ranger. While driving vehicle stalled. The dealership had the vehicle 6 times, but could not find anything wrong with it. The contact stated the vehicle started jerking then it died, and after waiting approximately 1 hour the vehicle started back up. The dealership wanted to trade the vehicle with the contact. But the manufacturer wanted the dealership to find the cause of the problem before they would authorize the transaction. The consumer contacted the manufacturer.

Filed Jul 26, 2005 · Fuel system · 58,000 miles · KS

I have a 2003 ford ranger regular cab 2 wheel drive truck. On 5 occasions the emergency fuel shutoff switch located inside the cab on the passenger side fire wall has been dislodge by the passenger getting there foot on the connector and disconnecting the power plug from the switch this causes the truck to stall immediately. I have only owned this truck for approx 90 days. If this happens at the wrong time this could get someone hurt or killed.

Filed Feb 23, 2004 · Engine · MD

Vehicle idles below 500 rpms. The engine sounds rough, and acts like it is going to stall. Then, it returns to normal.

Filed Nov 6, 2003 · Engine · 2,295 miles · NC

While driving vehicle intermittently stalled. The cause of the problem had not been determined.

Filed Sep 3, 2003 · Brakes, Engine · WV

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

Filed Aug 26, 2003 · Transmission · MA

Automatic transmission failed, causing vehicle to stall and jump forward.