27 of the 310 complaints about the 2003 Ford Ranger are about the engine — 9% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 19,650 miles.
27
Complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE
WHEN AT STOP LIGHT ENGINE RPMS GO UP HIGH WHERE IT IS HARD TO HOLD VEHICLE STILL WITH BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #11384261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11279969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
ENGINE QUIT RUNNING,TOOK TO MECHANIC. SPARK PLUG OVERHEATED BLEW WIRE OFF. ENGINE HAD WATER IN OIL. ENGINE IS RUINED. WAS ON HIGHWAY.HAD TO USE WRECKER TO MECHANIC.ONLY 160,000 MILES ON HIGHWAY. THOUGHT RECALL ON FORD TRUCKS TO ENGINES GIVING AWAY PREMATURELY.
NHTSA complaint #11171618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I PURCHASE THIS TRUCK BRAND NEW FROM GENE EVANS FORD IN AUGUST 2003. I STARTED COMPLAINING TO THEM A WEEK LATER THAT THE TRUCK RIDES AS THOUGH MY BUTT IS HITTING THE PAVEMENT ON A TRIP I TOOK. EVERYONE IGNORED MY CONCERN IN THE SERVICE AND SALES DEPARTMENT. WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS FINALLY NOTICE. I WAS SOLD A BRAND NEW TRUCK WITH A SEVERE BENT AXLE AND THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO REPAIR THE TRUCK NOR GIVE ME ANOTHER ONE. THEY ALL PLAYED DUMB AND STUPID AS TO NEVER SEEING THE PROBLEM IN THE BEGINNING. FORD STILL OWES ME RESTITUTION. DEALERSHIP SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DEFRAUD THE PUBLIC ON DAMAGE VEHICLES PAYING A FORTUNE FOR JUST TO KILL YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE. GENE EVANS KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM FROM THE ONSET. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK IN THE PAST, PRESENT AND MOST LIKELY IN THE FUTURE CONSIDERING THE REPAIRS THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN PUT INTO THE TRUCK OUT OF MY POCKET. MY VEHICLE DOES EVERTHING IN ALL MOTION AND NO MOTION AT ALL. DANGEROUS THINGS HAPPENS INCLUDING, CUTTING OFF CONSTANTLY, LIGHTS ARE DIM ON THE OUTSIDE SO IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT,RAIN COMING IN THE REAR WINDOW, TRUCK STARTED SMOKING, FILLED THE RESERVOIR AND OVER FLOWED SPEWING THE ANTIFREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. IT SOUNDED LIKE FOOD WAS FRYING IN VERY HOT GREASE. THERE IS A STINKING ODOR, SMELLS LIKE VERY STRONG URINE . SICKENING FEELING COMES OVER ME AND ANYONE IN THE TRUCK.ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF. THE PASSENGER WINDOW IS MOVING SLOW AS THOUGH IT IS GOING TO STOP. TRUCKS JUMPS WHICH CAUSING ME TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN WHILE IDLING OR AT A STOP.
NHTSA complaint #10954120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE SPARK PLUG SHOT OUT OF THE ENGINE AND LEFT A LARGE HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED A SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT AND STATED THAT A REPAIR KIT WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
NHTSA complaint #10870658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
CARQUEST WATER PUMP NEW 18420011 (T4188) COMPLETE FAILURE AFTER 100 MILES. A NEW WATER PUMP WAS INSTALLED ONTO A 2003 FORD RANGER V6 3.0 VIN-V TRUCK. HE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BETWEEN 25 - 60 MPH OFF AND ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 WEEK TOTALING ABOUT 100 MILES. UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS (30-35 MPH) AND WITH SLIGHT ACCELERATION, THE BEARING HOUSING SHEARED OFF FROM THE WATER PUMP BODY LAUNCHING THE COOLING FAN/CLUTCH INTO THE RADIATOR. POWER STEERING FAILED (NO DRIVE BELT) AND THE COOLING SYSTEM DUMPED IT'S CONTENTS. THE BODY OF THE PUMP IS STILL INTACT TO THE VEHICLE, BUT THE REST OF IT CAME OFF. UPON INSPECTION OF AN IDENTICAL PART FROM THE SAME STORE, THERE IS AN APPARENT CASTING COLOR DIFFERENCE ON THE PUMP. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A CASTING DEFECT PRESENT IN THE PUMP AND THE INSTALLED PUMP BROKE ALMOST PERFECTLY ALIGNED TO THE CASTING COLOR DIFFERENTIATION.
NHTSA complaint #10851357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
ENGINE STALLS AND WON'T RE-START DUE TO IMPROPER ACTIVATION OF THE PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM (PATS) WHICH IS FAULTY. ENGINE SHUTS OFF, NO POWER ASSIST, LIGHTS REMAIN FUNCTIONAL, ANTI-THEFT DASHBOARD LIGHT STARTS TO BLINK. VEHICLE WILL RE-START ONLY AFTER REMOVING AND RE-INSTALLING THE #19 FUSE TO RE-SET THE SYSTEM. IT MAY REQUIRE SEVERAL RE-SETS OF THIRTY OR MORE SECONDS EACH, AFTER WHICH THE VEHICLE MAY RUN NORMALLY FOR A SHORT DISTANCE OR UP TO SEVERAL MONTHS OF NORMAL DRIVING. THERE ARE FOLKS WHO SHARED THEIR SIMILAR EXPERIENCES ON-LINE ALERTING ME TO THE RE-SET PROCEDURE. I AM TOLD THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM REQUIRES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER CONTROL MODULE, WHICH THE PATS IS PART OF, AND THAT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO OTHERWISE DISABLE THE PATS ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10714909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 244,000.
NHTSA complaint #10633148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LEAK ANTI-FREEZE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
NHTSA complaint #10560117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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...
NHTSA complaint #10208753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. WHILE DECELERATING AT 10 MPH, ALL OF THE FLUID SPILLED OUT FROM THE CLUTCH CYLINDER OR EITHER A FAILED HOSE. THE CONTACT IS UNCERTAIN AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. HE IS CERTAIN, HOWEVER, THAT OIL WAS LEAKING BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE OWNER'S RESIDENCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 49,710.
NHTSA complaint #10194776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TRUCK BUCKS/JERKS DURING DRIVE CYCLE WHEN IN 3RD OR 4TH GEAR, RPM ~2500.
NHTSA complaint #10182044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
A FAILED ROLLER ROCKER DESTROYED A CAM AND LIFTER AFTER ONLY 66,000 MILES. 3,000 MILES PREVIOUS I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THEY COULDN'T HEAR THE NOISE. BY THE TIME THEY COULD HEAR IT, THE DAMAGE HAD MORE THAN TRIPLED. THE FAILURE WAS DEFINITELY CAUSED BY THE DEFECTIVE ROLLER ROCKER(THE PART IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION).
NHTSA complaint #10168695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HIS 2003 FORD RANGER CAUGHT ON FIRE ON 9-30-05. THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING WHILE IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER. THE FIRE WAS VIEWED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THE TRUCK WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED HIS INSURANCE COMPANY. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A JUNK YARD IN ILLINOIS. PICTURES WERE TAKEN OF THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE ITSELF. THE CONSUMER PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE FIRE. *AK (11/22/05) A POPPING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND IT BEGUN TO LOSE POWER. THE CONSUMER POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW FIRE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #10138566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE VEHICLE 6 TIMES, BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING THEN IT DIED, AND AFTER WAITING APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR THE VEHICLE STARTED BACK UP. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO TRADE THE VEHICLE WITH THE CONTACT. BUT THE MANUFACTURER WANTED THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE THEY WOULD AUTHORIZE THE TRANSACTION. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #10133876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10104533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10103902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS ENGAGED, AUTOMATIC, ON ACCELERATION, THERE IS A CHATTERING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. HAPPENS WHETHER A/C IS ON OR NOT.
NHTSA complaint #10093750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE IDLE DROPS LOW AND FEELS LIKE TRUCK SHAKES....HAVE HAD INTO FORD FOR IDLE CONTROL REPLACEMENT
NHTSA complaint #10088411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE HAS DIED ON INTERSTATE FOUR TIMES AND HAD TO BE TOWED IN. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-392-FORD STATES THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE. I AM TOLD I SHOULD CONTINUE TO GET IT REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. MY CONCERN IS FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY WHEN WE ARE WAITING HOURS IN A SNOWSTORM FOR THE TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE. I HAVE OWNED 8 FORDS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THAT IS ABOUT TO CHANGE BECAUSE FORD MOTOR STATES THAT THEY HAVE FOLLOWED THE LETTER OF THE LAW CONCERNING REPAIRS UNDER THE WARRANTY. WE HAVE NOW REPLACED ONE FORD WITH A LEXUS AND ARE TOTALLY AMAZED AT THE DIFFERENCE OF ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE CUSTOMER. AT OUR FIRST FREE LEXUS OIL CHANGE MY WIFE WAS GIVEN A DOZEN LONG STEM ROSES. WHAT DO YOU THINK SHE IS SAYING ABOUT FORD THESE DAYS? NOW I UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE ARE BUYING MORE FOREIGN CARS AND TRUCKS.
NHTSA complaint #10070303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHEN PLACING VEHICLE IN REVERSE, MOTOR RACED WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED BY DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS A COMPUTER PROBLEM AND WAS REPROGRAMMED. *LA THIS REMEDIED THE PROBLEM TEMPORALLY. FAILURE HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE THE PART REPLACEMENT. CONSUMER FELT IF FORD COULDN'T REPAIR THE VEHICLE WITHOUT IT FAILING AGAIN, THEN HIS MONEY SHOULD BE RETURNED.
NHTSA complaint #10061121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN VEHICLE IDLED, ENGINE SLOWED DOWN TO BELOW 500 RPM, AND THEN CHARGED BACK UP TO 3000 RPM. DEALER SAID THIS WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS VEHICLE. *AK FORD ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING ENGINE IDLING.
NHTSA complaint #10061088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE IDLES BELOW 500 RPMS. THE ENGINE SOUNDS ROUGH, AND ACTS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. THEN, IT RETURNS TO NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #10059607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE FAILED. *NM THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. FORD HAD ISSUED A RECALL ON THE 3.0 ENGINE, BUT THE CONSUMER SUGGESTED THAT MAYBE THIS PROBLEM PERTAINED TO THE 4.0 ENGINE AS WELL. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10059318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #10048700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10046507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BRAKE AND ENGINE PROBLEMS. *MR THE ROTORS WERE TURNED ON THE FRONT BRAKES AND A IDLER WAS INSTALLED BECAUSE THE ENGINE STALLED OUT. (TWICE AFTER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED THE VEHICLE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM) *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10039652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.