2003 Ford Ranger

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/29/2011· SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE DRUM HAD A 2" PIECE RUSTED OUT, THE LEFT REAR BRAKE HAD RUSTED SO BAD IT HAD BROKEN LOOSE IN THE DRUM AND THE SHACKLES HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN LEFT OUTSIDE ALWAYS GARAGED, NEVER BEEN IN HIGH WATER OR EXPOSED TO A HIGH LEVEL OFF SALT. THE UNDER CARRIAGE IS ALWAYS WASHED AFTER ROAD SALT HAS BEEN APPLIED. THE UNDER CARRIAGE HAS MORE RUST THAN NORMAL FOR A VEHICLE TAKEN CARE OF AS THIS ONE. THE MECHANIC EVEN COMMENTED ON IT. IN 2010 THE REAR SHOCKS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY HAD BEEN RUSTED THROUGH. *KB

• 12/28/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE SURROUNDING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FIRE WENT OUT BY ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,300. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 12/28/2009· TIRESCrash

  I HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL ON THE FREEWAY AND I WENT DOWN A 40 FOOT EMBANKMENT THROUGH A STATE CHAINLINK FENCE AND I LANDED IN A CONCRETE WATER DRAINAGE DITCH. RESULTING IN MY TRUCK BEING A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

• 12/27/2005· STEERINGCrashFire

  DT: THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT A PATCH OF ICE ON THE ROAD. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A DITCH. THE VEHICLE THEN ROLLED AND HIT AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE T BUSTED IN TO FLAMES. THE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT EXPLODED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THIS TIME TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPLODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

• 12/27/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE STUMBLES ON ACCELERATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY, AND THE DEALER IN NY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. OWNER/DRIVER USES NAME-BRAND GASOLINE FROM A REPUTABLE DEALER AND IS PROMPT ABOUT SERVICING VEHICLE. IN A PREVIOUS FORD, OWNER EXPERICENCED THE SAME PROBLEM---SOLVED BY REPLACING SENSOR. THIS PROBLEM HAS NEARLY CAUSED A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND HAS BEEN REPORTED TO BOTH NY, CT AND MT ATTORNEY GENERALS. I WISH THIS PROBLEM FIXED.*AK

• 12/26/2015· STEERING

  "TAKATA RECALL" DRIVING HOME ON DEC 23, 2015 AND TURNING IN MY DRIVEWAY SOMETHING IN THE STEERING COLUMN ON RHE DRIVERS SIDE OF FIRE WALL LET GO AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO CONTROL THE STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JUST SPIN AROUND. VERY SCAREY BUT NO ACCIDENT .

• 12/23/2003· POWER TRAIN

  HOWLING NOISE FROM CLUTCH. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE CLUTCH WAS NO GOOD, AND THAT THEY CONTACTED FORD AND WAS ADVISED THAT PARTS FOR REPAIR ARE CURRENTLY BEING MANUFACTURED?????????????? THE DEALER ADVISED ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MID JANUARY FOR MY TRUCK TO BE REPARED.

• 12/22/2016· STRUCTURE

  MY WIFE GOT A 2003 FORD RANGER FX4 LAST YEAR. AS WE LOOKED IT OVER WE NOTICE SOME BUBBLING RUST UNDER THE PAINT. THE DEALER SAID HE WOULD PAINT IT IF WE GOT THE TRUCK. OK SO HE DID AND IT LOOKED GOOD. A FEW MONTHS LATER I STARTED TO NOTICE MORE BUBBLING. LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING IT AND I HEARD SOMETHING LIKE A THUMP, I LOOKED IN THE MIRROR AND SAW THE SPARE TIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I PULLED OVER AND PUT THE SPARE IN THE BED. WHEN I GOT HOME I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND NOTICED THE SPAIN TIER AREA WAS TOTALLY ROTTED OUT. YESTERDAY I PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND HEAR A SQUEAKING NOISE. I LOOKED AROUND AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER CORNER OF THE BED WAS HANGING. I LOOKED AT THE AREA AND WHAT HELD THE BED UP WAS TOTALLY ROTTED OUT. WE ARE NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE TRUCK!!! WHAT CAN WE DO? *TR

• 12/21/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  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 RANGERS 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. *TR

• 12/20/2020· ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  WHEN AT STOP LIGHT ENGINE RPMS GO UP HIGH WHERE IT IS HARD TO HOLD VEHICLE STILL WITH BRAKES.

• 12/20/2010· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHEN I ACCELERATE QUICKLY WITH MY 2003 FORD RANGER, THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR GETS STUCK AND WILL NOT RETURN TO NORMAL UNTIL I TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND PUT IT IN PARK. AFTER A MINUTE WHEN I START IT UP EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. BAD COMPUTER?? *TR

• 12/19/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKE ROTORS SOLD BY ADVANCE AUTO PARTS AS AN "EXACT FIT" FOR THIS VEHICLE WERE INSTALLED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS AND ALL ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS FOR A BRAKE REPAIR (PADS, CALIPERS, BEARINGS, SEALS, ABS RINGS) WERE ALSO INSTALLED AND SEEMED TO FIT PERFECTLY. AFTER ASSEMBLY I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE ONLY PARTIALLY BEARING ON THE BRAKE ROTOR, WITH THE PADS OVERLAPPING THE EDGE OF THE ROTORS. I DID NOT NOTICE THIS CONDITION UNTIL BOTH NEW FRONT ROTORS HAD BEEN REPLACED AND ALL COMPONENTS EXCEPT THE TIRES/WHEELS HAD BEEN REPLACED. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, THE ROTORS SOLD AS AN "EXACT FIT" (SELECTED FOR ME BY THE COUNTER MAN AT MY LOCAL ADVANCE AUTO PARTS STORE) WERE APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH SMALLER IN DIAMETER AS THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ROTORS. I CONTACTED ADVANCE CUSTOMER SERVICE TO INFORM THEM OF THIS PROBLEM AND THEY DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR INSTALLATION OF IMPROPER PARTS. SEVERAL REVIEWS POSTED ON THE STORE'S WEBSITE INDICATE THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE INSTALLED THESE ROTORS AND ARE DRIVING AROUND WITH THEM DESPITE THE FACT THEY ARE NOT THE PROPER ROTORS FOR THIS 4 WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE VEHICLE (THEY DO FIT RANGERS WITH REAR WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKES). THIS IS A MURPHY'S LAW SITUATION IN WHICH A CONSUMER CAN INSTALL THESE PARTS AND DRIVE AROUND WITH THEM, UNAWARE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR BRAKE FAILURE. THE FINAL INSTALLATION LOOKS NORMAL AND I WOULD NOT HAVE NOTICED UNLESS I HAD MADE A CLOSE INSPECTION AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE NOT IN FULL CONTACT WITH THE ROTOR SURFACE BECAUSE OF THE SMALLER THAN SPECIFICATION DIAMETER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE ADVANCE AUTO PARTS WEBSITE AND STORE COMPUTER SYSTEM LIST THEM AS AN EXACT FIT FOR THE VEHICLE WHEN, IN FACT, THEY ARE NOT. THEY CAN BE INSTALLED AND DRIVEN WITHOUT THE INSTALLER REALIZING THAT THEY ARE THE WRONG SIZE. THIS REQUIRES AN IMMEDIATE NOTICE AND RECALL AND ADVANCE SHOULD BE SANCTIONED. *TR

• 12/17/2007· SEAT BELTSCrash

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH DOWNHILL IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD. DURING THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER ONCE AND LANDED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT PRIOR TO THE CRASH; HOWEVER, HE NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS UNFASTENED AS HE ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AFTER THE CRASH. HE HAS NOT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,700. UPDATED 02-07-08. *KB

• 12/17/2004· SUSPENSION

  THERE IS NO INCIDENT AND PERHAPS THIS MAY NOT BE THE CORRECT PLACE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT BUT YOU CAN BE THE JUDGE OF THAT. MY COMPLAINT IS I OWN A 2003 FORD RANGER 4WD SUPER CAB WITH GOODYEAR FACTORY INSTALLED TIRES WHICH ARE WEARING UNUSUALLY (CUPPING/CHOPPING). TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED BY FORD DEALER, BALANCED, PROPER AIR PRESSURE MAINTAINED AND ALIGNMENT CHECKED. VEHICLE HAS 16,500 MILES ON IT. TIRES ARE CAUSING VIBRATION AND NOISE. I BELIEVE THERE IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE I CAN'T FEEL OR HEAR IF ANOTHER COMPONENT IS FAILING. DEALER HAS TOLD ME HE SEES AN AVERAGE OF 6 FORD RANGERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM EACH WEEK. FORD TELLS ME THERE IS NO RECALL OR DIRECTIVE TO REPLACE THE TIRES AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THEM. GOODYEAR TELLS ME THAT FORD HAS ISSUED A BROADCAST SERVICE BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERS TO REPLACE THESE TIRES WITH A LARGER SIZE. HAVE NO ACCESS TO THIS BULLETIN BUT QUESTIONED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO ACCESS TO BROADCAST BULLETINS. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THIS TYPE OF TIRE IS NOT EXPECTED TO WEAR NORMALLY BECAUSE OF ITS DESIGN. WHY THEN PUT IT ON THE VEHICLE? CONVERSATION WITH FORD WAS ON THE PHONE AND I SHOULD HAVE WRITTEN EXACTLY WHAT THEY SAID BUT THIS IS PRETTY MUCH IT. IF THE DEALER IS SEEING THIS MANY VEHICLES EACH WEEK THERE MUST BE A HUGE PROBLEM SOMEWHERE. *JB

• 12/16/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN ENGINE PROBLEM. WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH OR GREATER THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. *AK

• 12/15/2010· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE CABLE FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SUDDENLY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE STOPPED BY TAKING THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED BY THE DRIVER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. UPDATED 02/09/11*LJ UPDATED 03/03/11

• 12/11/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  WHILE COMING TO A STOP CONSUMER NOTICED BRAKES BECAME SPONGY. ON DECEMBER 6, 2003 WHEN THE OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES TO MAKE A STOP, THE BRAKES PERFORMED ERRATICALLY. EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WAS NECESSARY FOR THE BRAKES TO PERFORM EFFICIENTLY.*AK VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN WITH THE DRIVER'S FOOT DEPRESSING THE PEDAL. THE BRAKE PEDALWENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO THE INTERSECTION. VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. 2003 FORD RANGER IS IN THE SHOP AND THE MECHANICS ARE AWARE THAT THE BRAKES NEED TO BE CHECKED OUT.*MR

• 12/10/2002· SEAT BELTS

  CONSUMER STATES THAT SEATBELTS ARE INOPRATIVE IN AN EVENT OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, BECAUSE SEATBELTS ARE ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE DOORS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

• 12/09/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  NON INJURY MOMENTARY LOSS OF ENGINE CONTROL WHILE DRIVING UP A MODERATE INCLINE WITH MY NEW FORD RANGER IN CRUISE CONTROL & OVER DRIVE ON AT ABOUT 65 MPH & 2500 RPM'S. THE ENGINE KICKED DOWN TWICE IN IMMEDIATE SUCCESSION AND THE ENGINE RAN AWAY TO 6000 RPM'S+ AND STAYED THERE. ENGINE TACH LIMIT IS 6000RPM'S SO I DO NOT KNOW THE EXTENT OF THE OVER REV. I TOOK IMMEDIATE ACTION TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL WHICH LOWERED THE RPM'S AND TURNED THE OVER DRIVE OFF WHICH RESULTED IN A NORMAL RPM OF ABOUT 3000 @ 65 MPH. I HAVE TRAVELED THE SAME AREA BEFORE WITHOUT ANY SUCH OCCURRANCE. ALSO THE ENGINE HAS A ERRATIC TYPE MISFIRE AT IDLE WHICH MAY CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROBLEM. THIS SITUATION WAS VERY UNSAFE AS WHEN THE ENGINE "RANAWAY" I ONLY GLANCED AT THE TACK TWICE AND DO NOT KNOW HOW FAST IT ENDED UP BEFORE I DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL.*AK

• 12/07/2017· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. WHILE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO RECEIVE NEW TIRES AT SCHIERL TIRE AND SERVICE CENTER (1002 S 8TH STREET, MEDFORD, WI 54451; 715-748-2963), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR FRAME NEAR THE SHACKLES AND BUMPER WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE RUST WAS SO BAD THAT NOTHING COULD BE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. THE CONTACT CALLED MEDFORD MOTORS (105 WISCONSIN AVENUE, MEDFORD, WI 54451; 715-748-3700) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS PREMATURE AND THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

• 11/29/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DT: THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE BRAKE PADS CHANGED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WHERE CORRODED AND PITTED. THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK UPDATED 01/04/06. *JB

• 11/28/2004· SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURECrash

  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 PARALLIZATION. PASSENGERS LEGS HIT CHEST FROM LACK OF RESTRAINING SEATBELT. *AK

• 11/26/2008· STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  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. *TR

• 11/25/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  A BURNING ODOR SMELL WAS COMING IN THROUGH THE VENTS. THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NLM

• 11/25/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE PROCEEDING TO LEAVE THE DRIVEWAY THE OWNER PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD BEFORE STOPPING. *AK IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. *NLM

• 11/25/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD: VEHICLE THROTTLE ACTUATES INDEPENDENTLY WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED. I PURCHASED A USED 2003 FORD RANGER 2 WHEEL DRIVE EXTENDED CAB 4 DOOR MODEL WITH A 3.0 L ENGINE WITH 21123 MILES 3 WEEKS AGO. THREE TIMES I HAVE COME TO A STOP, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE THROTTLE HAS INDEPENDENTLY ACTUATED. THIS DEFECT OCCURS WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP. SPECIFICALLY AT THE EXACT TIME MY FOOT DEPRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL THE THROTTLE ACTUATES BY ITSELF TO INCREASE THE ENGINE RPM. ( I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE THROTTLE PEDAL) YESTERDAY, THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE RPM INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 3000. SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE RIGHT WHEEL BRAKE BECAUSE OF THE ROTATION OF THE TIRE IN OPPOSITION TO MY APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE. I HAD NOT BEEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND WAS STOPPING FROM A RELATIVELY LOW SPEED OF 5 MPH EITHER AT A STOP SIGN OR IN FRONT OF MY OFFICE IN ALL THREE INCIDENTS. YESTERDAY WHEN PARKING IN FRONT OF MY OFFICE THE ENGINE RPM STAYED CONSTANT AND DID NOT DROP TO IDLE.( DURING THE PREVIOUS TWO TIMES THE ENGINE RPM SURGED AND THEN RETURNED TO IDLE WITHIN 1 SECOND.) HOWEVER YESTERDAY AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS OF CONSTANT HIGH ENGINE RPM I MOVED THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FROM THE DRIVE POSITION TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. THE RPM THEN RETURNED TO IDLE SPEED AND THE TRANSMISSION NO LONGER ATTEMPTED TO INVOLUNTARILY PROPEL THE VEHICLE IN THE FORWARD POSITION. I THEN IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE TRUCK TO THE CONWAY-HEATON FORD DEALER IN BARDSTOWN KENTUCKY FOR A WARRANTY REPAIR. *LA

• 11/21/2018· STRUCTURE

  SEVERE FRAME ROT (RUST) AT APROX. 85000 MILES, ALREADY REPLACED LEFT REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNT (APROX. 2 YEARS AGO) FRAME CROSS BRACES ARE RUSTING THROUGH INCLUDING THE SPARE TIRE MOUNT.10/10/16. MY BELIEF IS THAT THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO CORROSION RESISTANT APPLIAD TO THESE FRAMES UPON VEHICLE ASSAMBLY. GOOD USABLE PARTS ARE HARD IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND AS MOST ARE AS BAD OR WORSE THAN MY EXISTING PARTS. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE EXISTS WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.

• 11/18/2003· STRUCTURE

  THE SILVER COATING ON THE DASH BOARD AROUND THE RADIO AND AC UNIT IS RUBBING OFF. *LA

• 11/16/2004· SEAT BELTS

  AT ABOUT 6000 MILES I NOTICED THE VEHICLE VIBRATING WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT IN TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER IN TEMECULA AND THEY TOLD ME THE ROTORS ON THE FRONT BRAKES WERE OVERHEATING. I MENTIONED TO THEM THAT I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE ON THE MANY CARS I'VE OWNED OVER THE YEARS (AS I'M 54 YEARS OLD). THEY MACHINED THE ROTORS FOR FREE BUT TOLD ME IT WAS MY DRIVING. AT ABOUT 11,000 MILES I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. I BROUGHT IT TO THE SAME DEALER AND AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER HE MACHINED THE ROTORS FOR FREE. ABOUT A MONTH AGO THE CAR STARTED VIBRATING AGAIN WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I CALLED THE FORD HOTLINE TOLL FREE NUMBER AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER THAT WORKED ON THE BRAKES AND HAVE THEM SEND THEM A REPORT. THE DEALER STILL CANNOT FIND ANYTHING A MATTER WITH THE BRAKES. PLEASE BELIEVE ME, I DO NOT TAILGATE ON THE FEEWAY AND DO NOT DRIVE LIKE AN 18 YEAR OLD. I'VE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH BRAKES BEFORE, OUTSIDE OF REPLACING PADS AND MACHINE THE ROTORS EVERY 35K MILES OR SO. AT THIS POINT I'M NOT SURE WHAT OPTIONS I HAVE. CAN YOU HELP? THANK YOU, DENNIS CULLEN. *AK

• 11/15/2005· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING 2003 RANGER SUDDENLY GOING AT FULL SPEED AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TS THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE NOTHING WAS FIXED. COMPLAINANT WRITING ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER. *NM

• 11/14/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINEFire

  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 MOBILE (901 EAST 1-65, SERVICE RD SOUTH, MOBILE, AL) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

• 11/13/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  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... *TR

• 11/13/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, A SOUND OF METAL ON METAL WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THE PAD SEPARATED FROM THE CALIPER HOLDER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE PASSENGER FRONT BRAKE PAD. UPDATED 12/12/2006 - *NM

• 11/12/2003· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  CONSUMER STATED DEALERSHIP DIDN'T INFORM HIM ABOUT THE TRUCKS' INEFFICIENCY TO EXCEED THE SPEED OF 80 MPH. IF THE TRUCK WAS DRIVEN AT THAT SPEED IT EXPERIENCED A SEVERE VIBRATION AND WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER. THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD REGISTER 120 MPH. *AK. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT 4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN ON DRY ROADS. *JB *NLM

• 11/07/2011· STRUCTURE

  THE RANGERS FRAME COATING SYSTEM IS FAILING IN SEVERAL AREAS. THE PAINT IS JUST PEELING OFF. THERE IS ALSO A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE UNDERBODY OF THE CAB AND TRUCK BED. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THEN 55000 MILES AND ORIGINALLY IN THE STATE OF VA. THE VEHICLE WAS WILLED TO ME AND JUST BROUGHT TO THE STATE OF MA. IN AUGUST OF 2011. IT HAS NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO A NEW ENGLAND WINTER ROAD CONDITIONS. THE WINTER ROAD CONDITIONS WILL ONLY COMPOUND THE ISSUE. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURES UPON REQUEST. I STRONGLYRQUEST THAT SOME ACTION BE TAKEN TO INVESTIGATE THE PAINT SYSTEM FAILURE. *TR

• 11/06/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK

• 11/04/2002· TIRES

  TREAD IS SEPARATING ON THREE OF THE TIRES. DT

• 11/03/2017· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT IT IS A DEFECT WITH THE AIRBAG. I DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE PRICE OF REPLACING IT ~ IF IT IS THE COMPANIES FAULT THAT MADE THE AIRBAG.

• 11/03/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINECrash

  THE INERTIA SWITCH LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD ENGAGES AT THE SLIGHTED BUMP. I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR 5 YEARS AND CONTINUE TO GET FALSE INFORMATION FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP ABOUT AVENUES OF RECOURSE OR RECTIFICATION. ITS A FAULTY DESIGN FOR THE INERTIA SWITCH TO BE LOCATED NEAR POSSIBLE CONTACT WITH A PASSENGER. LEGAL RECOURSE WILL BE PURSUED. *TR

• 11/03/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  2003 FORD RANGER XLT DOES NOT EXCEED 80 MPH.*MR (TRANSFERRED TO RULE MAKING). *CB

• 11/02/2017· STEERING,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSCrash

  I WAS RECENTLY AN ACCIDENT DURING WHICH 3 THINGS OCCURRED THAT CONTRIBUTED TO MY INJURIES. THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS STEERING WHEEL LOCKUP PREVENTING ME FROM TURNING OUT OF THE WAY. THE 2ND & 3RD THINGS OCCURRED WHEN THE TRUCK WAS IN FREE FALL. FIRST OF ALL THE SEATBELT FAILED TO RESTRAINED MY BODY DURING THE ACCIDENT SENDING ME STRAIGHT INTO THE STEERING WHEEL DURING WHICH TIME THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SO THERE WAS NOTHING TO BRAKE MY IMPACT TO SAID STEERING WHEEL. ALL OF THE THIS TOOK PLACE ON A FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS I WAS LUCKY THAT MY INJURIES WERE NOT WORSE THEN THEY ARE AND IN TIME THEY WILL HEAL. I WAS LUCKY, BUT THE NEXT PERSON MAY NOT BE SO, YOU NEED TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER THOROUGHLY BECAUSE THE NEXT PERSON MAY DIE AS A RESULT OF THESE SAFETY FAILURES, AND THAT IS SOMETHING NONE US WANT.

• 10/31/2014· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  THE VEHICLE WAS RIDING VERY ROUGH AS THOUGH SOME ONE WAS KNOCKING ON THE ENGINE WITH A HAMMER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ( GENE EVANS FORD ) WHICH IS WHERE I PURCHASE IT FROM, ALL I WAS TOLD WAS THAT IS WHAT A TRUCK SUPPOSE TO SOUND LIKE. I CONTINUE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE ROUGHNESS OF THE TRUCK, NO ONE WAS CONCERN ABOUT MY COMPLAINTS. NOW HERE IT IS SEPTEMBER 2010, I TAKE MY TRUCK FOR A OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION IN NEW JERSEY AND THE REPAIR SHOP WRITES UP A INVOICE STATING MY REAR AXLE NEEDS AN ADJUSTMENT. THE FORD DEALERSHIPS HAS SERVICE MY VEHICLE ALL THIS TIME AND TO ME THEY MADE SURE THIS WOULD NOT BE DETECTED. I HAD AN ACCIDENT ON JANUARY 4,2014 AND MY AXEL IS NOW BENT FROM A SMALL IMPACT BECAUSE IT WAS NO GOOD FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT THE TRUCK. AUTO NATION WAS GOING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND WHEN [XXX] THE MANAGER SAW THE INVOICES WITH THE DIAGNOSIS ABOUT THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE AXEL AND THE 2010 DATE ON IT, SOMEONE THERE TOLD STATE FARM THAT I DID NOT WANT THEM TO FIX THE TRUCK. IN ALL HONESTY THEY ARE THE ONLY ONE I WANTED TO HANDLE THIS REPAIR SO THEY COULD GIVE ME A BRAND NEW AXEL OR A BRAND NEW VEHICLE INSTEAD THEY LIED TO EVERYONE AND WALKED AWAY FROM THE PROBLEM. I HAD AND HAVE SUBMITTED CORRESPONDENTS TO FORD ALSO I HAD ASK TO SPEAK TO FORD REPRESENTATIVES AT SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS, I WAS TOLD BECAUSE OF THE HIGH MILEAGE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE MOST PECULIAR THING IS THAT ALL THE DEALERSHIP MADE SURE THAT NO ONE ADDRESS THE PROBLEM WITH THE AXLE ALTHOUGH THEY HAD BEEN ROTATING THE TIRES AND ALL AND ANY OTHER KIND OF REPAIRS THEY AS PROFESSIONALS KNEW THE TRUCK NEEDED. BEING A WOMAN NEEDED YOUR VEHICLE PROPERLY MAINTAINED AS TO ENJOY THE LONGEVITY OF SOMETHING YOU DEPEND ON DAY TO DAY JUST TO HAVE SOMEONE TO TAKE IT FOR GRANTED TO PRETEND THEY HAVE DONE YOUR TRUCK A VIABLE SERVICE TO KEEP YOU SAFE AND ON THE ROAD AT ALL TIME. HELP!!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 10/30/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I WAS BLINDED BY ONCOMING HEAD LIGHTS NOT SET TO HIGH BEAM AND DISTRACTION FROM VERY BRIGHT HEAD LIGHTS IN REAR VIEW MIRROR (ALSO NOT ON HIGH BEAM). THE SOURCE IS FORD RANGER PICKUPS BUILT IN THE LAST 5 YEARS. OTHER MAKES OF TRUCKS AND SUV'S CAN BE BAD, BUT THE RANGER IS THE WORST OF THE BUNCH. *LA

• 10/28/2017· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL

• 10/27/2014· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  BOUGHT THE 2003 RANGER NEW IN JAN 2004. LAST WEEK, AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT RED LIGHT, IT SUDDENLY BEGAN REVVING UP DRASTICALLY ( 3000 + RPM'S). BRAKE HARDER TO KEEP IT FROM RAMMING CAR IN FRONT. PUT IN PARK AND TURNED OFF WITH KEY. RE-STARTED AND IT RAN NORMALLY. IT HAS DONE THIS TWICE MORE SINCE THEN, ONCE WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPOT. BOTH TIMES IT RAN NORMALLY AFTER THE INCIDENT. NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. CHECKED MATS AROUND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, ALL CLEAR. THERE ARE 66,720 MILES ON ODOMETER, NO MAJOR PROBLEMS 'TILL NOW. ??? *TR

• 10/24/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB

• 10/23/2012· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE ENGINE PMS INCREASED ABNORMALLY TO 3000. THE CONTACT HELD THE BRAKE DOWN WITH EXTREME FORCE AS THE TIRES BEGAN TO SPIN AND MAKE A SCREECHING NOISE.THE VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY BUT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE FAILURE BY ABRUPTLY APPLYING THE BRAKES AND POWERING THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER TEN YEARS OLD, THEY WERE UNABLE TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 218,000.

• 10/22/2003· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, AND HIT A TREE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

• 10/19/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I WAS DRIVING MY FORD AND THE BACK BUMPER DROPPED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, SENDING IT AND THE SPARE TIRE TO THE PAVEMENT. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH AND ONLY HOLDING ON BY A SMALL BIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ALSO, THE SPARE TIRE SUPPORT IS ONLY HOLDING BY APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 INCHES. IN ADDITION, THE CROSS MEMBER FORWARD OF THE SPARE TIRE SUPPORT THAT SUPPORTS THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS CONTROLS IS VIRTUALLY ROTTED IN HALF.

• 10/19/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHERFire

  WAS DRIVING ON STATE HWY.20 @ 615PM, WHEN I NOTICED NO POWER WHEN I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR, RPM SHOT TO 4000, THEN DROPPED DOWN WITH NO POWER,CARS BEHIND ME WERE FLASHING THERE LIGHTS, ARMS WAVING OUT THERE WINDOWS WHEN THE CAR CAME TO MY SIDE THEY WERE FRANTICALLY YELLING THAT I WAS ON FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF HWY. AND FLAMES WERE ROLLING INTO THE CAB OF THE TRUCK, IT WAS IN 2 WAVES THEN I WAS ABLE TO OPEN MY DOOR AND EXIT THE TRUCK.NOW FLAMES WERE ROLLING OUT OF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL, LUCKILY I HAD A FIRE EXTINGWISHER IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK WHICH I EXTINGWISHED IN THE WHEEL WHELL AND AS FAR BACK AS I COULD REACH,THIS PUT OUT THE FIRE,BUT NOT WITHOUT EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE UNDERNEATH OF TRUCK INCLUDING THE GAS TANK WHERE GRASS VALLEY FORD DETERMINED THE FIRE ORINGINATED.AS THE HOT SPOT IS VERY DISTINGUISHING.FORD MOTOR CO IN DEARBORN MI.SENT ME A LETTER SAYING THEY WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS FAILER,AND WILL NOT GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION TO CONTACT ANYONE THAT CAN HELP RESOLVE THIS MATTER.A 4 YEAR OLD TRUCK THAT HAS NO MODIFICATIONS,AND HAS BEEN WWELL TAKEN CARE OF SHOULD NOT BURST INTO FLAMES,ENDANGERING LIVES.THEY ARE AT THIS POINT OFFERING NO ASSISTANCE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.I CAN PROVIDE ESTIMATES FROM THE DEALERSHIP WITH PARTS LIST INCLUDED AS WELL AS THEM DETERMING THAT IT WAS A FIRE ORIGINATING AT THE GAS TANK..THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO THIS FAILER, NEVER A GAS SMELL JUST INSTANTLY INTO FLAMES..THANKS FOR YOUR TIME IN THIS MATTER..