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Model Year Problem Record

Ford Ranger 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 Ford Ranger: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

242Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
3Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
62Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Vehicle Structure42 complaints

42 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control39 complaints

39 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 09V399000.

Brakes37 complaints

37 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine27 complaints

27 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

09V399000Reported October 13, 2009 - 4,500,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on October 13, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 4,500,000 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

PE05066Opened December 5, 2005 - Closed March 24, 2006

BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERATIVE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE05066Opened December 5, 2005 - Closed March 24, 2006

BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERATIVE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE05066Opened December 5, 2005 - Closed March 24, 2006

BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERATIVE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20022
200331
200435
200527
20066
200711
20089
20098
201016
20119
20126
20138
201412
20159
201618
201711
20187
20195
20205
20212
20221
20233
20251
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.