2003 Ford Ranger: fuel pump failure

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 Jan 11, 2009 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · CO

Failure occurs on a 2003 ranger edge 4wd 4.0l extended cab, in this case, as well as in many other model years and styles of the ford ranger pickup. Ford design flaw in placement of fuel pump cutoff switch (inertia switch) in the passenger compartment where it can be easily kicked (triggered) by passenger. Description of incident: 1. Engine turned off at supermarket, vehicle parked on a cold january night. Passenger inadvertently trips fuel pump cutoff switch with foot while exiting the vehicle. Parties return to a vehicle that will crank but will not start. Unaware of ford's design flaw, parties walk home in freezing temperatures burdened with valuables and groceries. Internet research on wiki answers site reveals tripped fuel cutoff switch as common problem as a result of a design flaw that places said switch within easy kicking distance of passenger's feet. Owner returns to truck next day, re-sets the switch and vehicle starts normally. 2. The failure occurs whenever passenger raises their right foot, inadvertently making contact with the switch. 3. The failure was corrected by re-setting the switch, but design flaw persists. This design flaw could be extremely hazardous if switch was kicked (triggered) at speed on crowded freeways or in remote locations. This improper placement may be purposeful to keep ford repair tech's busy, as this design flaw is found in many model years and styles of the ranger pickup. Vehicles should be recalled to have switch re-mounted up a minimum of 4 inches, or rerouted and placed up under the dash so inadvertent triggering could not occur by passenger shifting feet or exiting vehicle.

Filed Aug 13, 2007 · Electrical · NM

On august 4th,2007 my ford truck would not start. I had stopped at walgreens to pick up aspirin and upon returning to my truck, it would not start. As before I pushed the fuel pump reset switch. The truck did not start. So I removed the reset switch from under the dash to find it had melted and had melted the plug.

Filed Jun 7, 2007 · Electrical · 45,891 miles · AZ

While driving north on I-17 headed to flagstaff, az, at 60+ MPH, the engine on my 2003 ford ranger suddenly cut out without any warning. This caused me to have to navigate my vehicle from the left lane over to the right shoulder of the highway without the benefit of power steering or any engine power. Fortunately, I was able to get onto the shoulder without incident or injury. If the highway had been more crowed this could have LED to an accident. After being towed to a ford dealer, I found out that the electrical connection to the fuel pump, which is routed under the passenger floor board, had become frayed and disconnected, thereby shutting down the fuel pump. As the mechanic who serviced my ranger seemed to be familiar with this problem, I wonder why there ins't a recall for this potentially dangerous problem.

Filed Sep 15, 2004 · Fuel system · 36,077 miles · TX

The 2003 ford ranger developed a gas leak off the fuel pump after further search fopund the fuel pump was leaking due to a fuel line break and the top of the fuel pump the plastic top was cracked and broken. Ven #iftyr14v23pa70793/36077miles.