Ford Ranger Complaints (2003)

243 consumer complaints on file.

#10359971October 11, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
AS I SLOWLY PULLED MY 2003 FORD RANGER INTO A PARKING SPACE AT WORK THIS MORNING WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE TRUCK SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I APPLIED THE BRAKE HARDER AND THE TRUCK STOPPED. I VERIFIED THAT I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR, ONLY ON THE BRAKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10354565September 8, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
DIFFICULTY IN FILLING GASOLINE IN 2003 FORD RANGER. IT SEEMS TO BE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM THAT MANY RANGER OWNERS EXPERIENCE. NOT ONLY IS IT A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT SPLASH-BACK OF GASOLINE WHEN FILLING, BUT IT'S ALSO AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD WITH ALL THE SPILLED GASOLINE ON THE GROUND. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10353256September 1, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH THE HOOD ON HIS VEHICLE CAME OPEN AND OBSCURED HIS VISION. THE LATCH ON THE HOOD AND THE HOOD CABLE ALSO FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $260.00 AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 86,000. UPDATED 12/22/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE FIXED THE PROBLEM HIMSELF. UPDATED 12/23/10
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10347950August 7, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE A 2003 FORD RANGER, WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE SURGES. FORWARD; I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK & SHUT OFF THE IGNITION. WHEN I RESTART. IT RETURNS TO NORMAL. THIS HAPPENS ON ONCE IN A WHILE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342830July 13, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHILE STATIONARY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, A SMELL OF GASOLINE ENTERED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FOLLOWED A FEW SECONDS LATER BY A MUFFLED EXPLOSION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOLLOWED QUICKLY BY BLACK SMOKE AND FLAMES POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED FORWARD OF THE TRUCK BED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341366July 4, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE APPLIED AND THE ENGINE IDLING IN DRIVE (AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) THE ENGINE REVVED UP SIGNIFICANTLY. WHEN IT DID I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD AND THE REAR WHEEL SPUN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING MAYBE 3 OR 4 TIMES A YEAR FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS AND MOST OF THE TIME CAN BE STOPPED BY RELEASING THEN QUICKLY PRESSING ON THE BRAKE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED WHERE SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT AND I RECEIVED A TICKET FOR THE INCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331036May 18, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE OWNED MY 2003 FORD RANGER XLT SINCE IT WAS NEW, AND HAVE HAD ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. I HAVE HAD 4 INCIDENTS SINCE MARCH 2010 WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED WHEN I WAS BRAKING TO STOP, WITH 3 OF THOSE INCIDENTS WITHIN THE PAST WEEK. THE FIRST INCIDENT CAUSED MY TRUCK TO PUSH THRU A GATE, DAMAGING THE GATE AND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN THIS CASE, THE ENGINE DID FINALLY DROP TO AN IDLE. I THOUGHT THE BEHAVIOR MUST BE A FLUKE, SO DIDN'T REPORT THE INCIDENT. THE 2ND THRU 4TH INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED ON A LIMITED ACCESS ROAD IN OMAHA (DODGE STREET) AT STOP SIGNS AND AT A GAS STATION OUTSIDE OMAHA, AND AS I WAS NEARING A STOP THE ENGINE STARTED ACCELERATING AND PULLING THE VEHICLE FORWARD. MAXIMUM PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES ALLOWED ME TO STAY STATIONARY SO NO VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS WERE HIT, BUT CAUSED MY REAR WHEELS TO BURN RUBBER. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. THE MOST DANGEROUS INCIDENT WAS WHEN THIS OCCURRED AT A GAS STATION, WHEN I WAS PULLING SLOWLY TO A GAS PUMP BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE STRONG ACCELERATION BEGAN. WHILE THE TRUCK HAS CRUISE CONTROL, IT WAS NOT ENGAGED IN ANY OF THESE 4 INCIDENTS. I HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE LAST WEEK, AND THE LAST TWO INCIDENTS OCCURRED AFTER THE DEALER CHARGED ME ABOUT $880 TO FIX THE ISSUE (REPLACED THROTTLE VALVE ASSY, GASKET, POTENTIOMETER ENGINE THROTTLE, PROCHARGER FUEL INJECTION SERVICE). THE DEALER INSISTS THAT THERE ARE NO SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUES WITH FORD VEHICLES, BUT THERE ARE REPORTS OF ISSUES ON THE INTERNET. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10330215May 12, 2010
PARKING BRAKE
1. NO WARNING OR EVENT. 2. PARKING BRAKE CABLE SHEARED OFF BY LEAF SPRING. HAPPENED WHEN TRUCK WAS LOADED WITH 700 LBS IN BED OF TRUCK ( WITHIN RATED CAPACITY ). RESULTING IN LOSS OF PARKING BRAKES AND POSSIBLE RUNAWAY VEHICLE. 3. REPLACED BROKEN CABLE BUT FAILURE WILL HAPPEN AGAIN UNLESS THE CABLE GUIDE IS MODIFIED TO PREVENT THE SPRING FROM CHOPPING INTO THE CABLE ( NEEDS RAISED AN INCH ). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319619March 15, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE FIRST TIME THE CAR ENGINE STARTED RACING UNCONTROLLABLY I WAS AT A STOP SIGN. THE SECOND TIME, THE SAME DAY 3/10/2010 I TURNED A CORNER AND WE TOOK OFF AT A VERY HIGH SPEED. BOTH TIMES I PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND "GOOSED" THE GAS PEDAL AND THE ENGINE SETTLED DOWN TO A NORMAL SPEED. 2003 FORD RANGER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10318152March 9, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL TOOOO CLOSE TOGETHER! DISTANCE OF 2 & 1/4 " CAUSES CONTACT WITH ACCELERATOR WHEN BRAKE IS BEING APPLIED NUMEROUS INCIDENTS SINCE PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 03.. I WEAR A SIZE 9 &1/2 TO A 10 & 1/2 SIZE SHOE. EVEN THOUGH I AM AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, I FIND THAT IT KEEPS HAPPENING REPEATEDLY; BUT I ONLY BUMPED A CURB ONCE WITH MY TIRES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10317757March 8, 2010
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, CHILD SEAT, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, CHILD SEAT:HARNESS:STRAP/WEBBING
2003 FORD RANGER PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL 2 OR 3 SEC. AFTER THE ACCIDENT TRUCK HIT TREE ABOUT 40 MPH DRIVERS AIR BAG WENT OFF PASSENGERS DID NOT GO OFF PASSENGER BROKE BACK REAR BED OF TRUCK CAME INTO TRUCK LEAVING A ARROW SHAPE PEACE OF STEAL APPROX 4" LONG INSIDE OF TRUCK CAB WARE A 4 TO 5 FOOT TALL PERSON WOULD HAVE IT PERCHED INTO HEAD BECAUSE OF BEING BELTED INTO SEAT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10316742March 4, 2010
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
FAULTY CLUTCH DESIGN ON 2003 FORD RANGER 4.0L WITH MAZDA M50-R1 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION: PLEASE RESEARCH THIS PROBLEM. PREMATURE FAILURE RATE APPROACHES 100% AND RECURS AGAIN WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNIQUE TO THE 2003 MODEL YEAR. THE HYDRAULIC MECHANISM OF THE CLUTCH IS AT FAULT. IT CANNOT MAINTAIN ADEQUATE PRESSURE TO ALLOW ENOUGH PEDAL TRAVEL TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION. RECOMMENDED FIXES INCLUDE REPLACING THE ENTIRE CLUTCH OR THE SLAVE CYLINDER/THROWOUT BEARING, AND MASTER CYLINDER FOR CLUTCH SYSTEM. ALL OF THESE SHORT LIVED FIXES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AS THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE REMOVED EXCEPT FOR THE MASTER CYLINDER. JUST BLEEDING THE SYSTEM IS EXPENSIVE IF THE LEEK IS INTERNAL, WHICH IS USUALLY THE CASE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10306093February 4, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2003 FORD RANGER SUDDEN ACCELERATION. WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AFTER THE ENGINE SPEED REACHED ABOUT 4,000 RPM. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE I CHECKED TO SEE IF MY FLOOR MAT WAS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM, I REMOVED IT FROM THE DRIVER SIDE AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE WITHOUT TOUCHING ANY PEDALS. THE ENGINE STARTED AND REVVED UP TO 4.000 RPM AGAIN. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME MY RANGER DID THIS. I TOOK IT TO RIVER VIEW FORD IN OSWEGO, THEY CHECKED IT AND SAID THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED I NEARLY COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I TOOK IT BACK TO FORD FOR THE SAME REASON, AND THEY TOLD ME THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER, AT 4,000 RPM. (I DON'T THINK SO) THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE AS THE DEALER CHECKED. WHAT CAN I DO? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10298970January 11, 2010
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2008. SHE STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH INTO THE LATCH MECHANISM. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR DEALER WERE CONTACTED TO DATE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON HER SPECIFIC VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 108,000. UPDATED 02/1710 *BF UPDATED 02/19/10
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10297166December 28, 2009
TIRES
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10286730October 8, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DURING WET WEATHER, REAR BRAKE LOCKS UP WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CAUSING SKIDDING AND LOSE OF CONTROL. FIRST TIME THIS HAPPEN MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP REFERRED TO THIS AS A REAR BRAKE LOCK PROBLEM, AND REPLACED REAR BRAKE COMPONENTS, AFTER THAT WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO MOISTURE GETTING INTO THE BRAKE PARTS AND THAT IF I WANTED THIS FIXED I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE FIX IT. THE FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THIS AND THAT'S WHY IT GOT FIXED,NOW I'M TOLD NO SUCH THING EXIST.FIRST TIME WITH PROBLEM TRUCK HAD ABOUT 26,000 TO 30,000 MILES ON IT SEEMS FUNNY THAT AT 60,000 I WOULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275750July 4, 2009
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR FORD RANGER WHEN A GOODYEAR WRANGLER TIRE HAD A SIDEWALL BLOWOUT IN 3 SPOTS. SHE HIT NOTHING OR RAN OVER NOTHING. TIRE SIZE IS AS FOLLOWS ( 235/75R15) 105S M + S . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10270097May 27, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO FILL WITH FUEL. ONCE THE TANK WAS FILLED, GASOLINE WOULD SPILL BACK OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT INSTALLED A NEW FUEL FILTER IN THE VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2008. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000. UPDATED 6/15/09 *CN UPDATED 06/16/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268749May 14, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE MANUFACTURER INSTALLING INCORRECT HUBS ON THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE REPAIR COST WAS ESTIMATED AT $800. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262625March 21, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE FIRST TIME THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND DIDN'T RELEASE I WAS COMING DOWN THE STREET WHERE I LIVE GOING LESS THAN 15 MPH AND WHEN WE HIT THE BRAKES MY TRUCK DIDN'T STOP AND WE WENT SIDEWAYS TRYING TO STAY OUT ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THIS LAST TIME IT LOCKED UP I WAS ALREADY ON THE BRAKES GOING LESS THAN 15 MPH AND I CAME WITHIN AN INCH OF HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE BRAND NEW TIRES AND BRAKES ALL THE WAY AROUND. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. THERE IS SOMETHING MESSED UP IN THE COMPUTER MY ABS LIGHT NEVER EVEN CAME ON WHILE I WAS SLIDING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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