Model year
2003 Ford Ranger
NHTSA lists 1 recall and 243 complaints for the 2003 Ford Ranger (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (31), STRUCTURE:BODY (25), SUSPENSION (21). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 15–23 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,900–$4,450, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 670 complaints
- 2001 515 complaints
- 2002 346 complaints
- 2003 243 complaints
- 2004 405 complaints
- 2005 289 complaints
- 2006 272 complaints
- 2007 270 complaints
- 2008 326 complaints
- 2009 169 complaints
- 2010 156 complaints
- 2011 235 complaints
- 2019 270 complaints
- 2020 130 complaints
- 2021 118 complaints
- 2022 37 complaints
- 2023 18 complaints
- 2024 94 complaints
- 2025 44 complaints
- 2026 7 complaints
Recalls
09V399000 · Oct 13, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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…
Complaints
243 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 37, fire flag on 11, injury field 43, deaths field 1. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE05066 | BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERATIVE · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS | Dec 5, 2005 | Mar 24, 2006 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranger Pickup 2WD · 2.3L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 24 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD · 2.3L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 26 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD · 3L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD · 3L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 21 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD · 4L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD · 3L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 18 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD · 3L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 19 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 17 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD · 4L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 17 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| Ranger 2WD FFV · 3L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 15 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Ford Ranger at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.