NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 243 owner complaints for the 2003 Ford Ranger. Most complaints involve structure (43) and vehicle speed control (40). The EPA rates it 15–23 mpg combined.
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 EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Ranger model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 430 |
| 1997 | 427 |
| 1998 | 597 |
| 1999 | 785 |
| 2000 | 729 |
| 2001 | 558 |
| 2002 | 389 |
| 2003 | 243 |
| 2004 | 405 |
| 2005 | 289 |
| 2006 | 272 |
| 2007 | 270 |
| 2008 | 326 |
| 2009 | 169 |
| 2010 | 164 |
| 2011 | 235 |
| 2019 | 272 |
| 2020 | 130 |
| 2021 | 119 |
| 2022 | 38 |
| 2023 | 19 |
| 2024 | 97 |
| 2025 | 45 |
| 2026 | 0 |
“Truck has no spare tire, totally missing the assembly and bracket originally used to hold the tire (have a junk one in the bed). The crossmember under the truck is about 50% intact is getting ready to fall off. Brake lines and rocker panals rotted out as well. Holes in the frame starting and a patch was already needed on the frame (drivers side rear). As well as a loose bed. The truck is very clean on top but underneath is rotting away like it has 200000 miles on it(truck is at 77,000). I want to remove the rust and coat it but im scared of punching through cause spots are brittle.”
“VEHICLE ACCELERATES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. SO FAR ONLY HAS HAPPENED AT SLOW SPEEDS WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE. I'VE SEEN A JUMP OF 1,000 RPM'S WHEN IT OCCURS, BUT IF YOUR PRESSING HARD ENOUGH ON THE BRAKES YOU CAN CONTROL THE ACCELERATION”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONSUMER'S SON DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HIS FOOT UNINTENTIONALLY DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DUE TO THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF BOTH PEDALS. THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 02/14/12*LJ UPDATED 02/22/12”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranger Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 24 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Ranger 2WD FFV Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Nov 5, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 243 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (43), vehicle speed control (40), service brakes, hydraulic (29). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2003 Ford Ranger at 15–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (11 versions rated).