Ford Ranger Complaints (2003)

243 consumer complaints on file.

#10500783February 28, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
I DISCOVERED THAT THE TRUCK BED HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND HAS SEVERE RUST ON THE FRAME AS WELL. THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH NO RUST SHOWING ANYWHERE. ALL OF THE RUST IS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRUCK BED. IT APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED AT THE HEAT SHIELDS. THE TRUCK HAD A SPRAYED IN RHINO LINING THAT FORD SOLD WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW WHICH HID THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE BED GAVE WAY COMPLETELY AND NOW HAS ONE 5"X 8" HOLE AND ANOTHER SMALLER HOLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10498236February 15, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10481993October 23, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE ENGINE PMS INCREASED ABNORMALLY TO 3000. THE CONTACT HELD THE BRAKE DOWN WITH EXTREME FORCE AS THE TIRES BEGAN TO SPIN AND MAKE A SCREECHING NOISE.THE VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY BUT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE FAILURE BY ABRUPTLY APPLYING THE BRAKES AND POWERING THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER TEN YEARS OLD, THEY WERE UNABLE TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 218,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473280September 1, 2012
SEATS
DRIVERS SEAT BACK COLLAPSED DUE TO A FAILURE OF A BOLT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473086August 30, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASH INTO A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILE AND INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THE CONTACT NEEDED TO WRITE A LETTER AND MAIL IT INTO FORD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453692April 1, 2012
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS ATTACHING UTILITY TRAILER TO MY TRUCK. I JUMPED IN THE TRAILER TO GET THE BALL TO SEAT IN THE RECEIVER AND NOTICED THE BUMPER PULLED AWAY FROM THE BODY OF THE TRUCK. I LOOKED UNDER NEATH AND SAW THE FRAME BROKE IN FRONT OF WHERE THE TRAILER HITCH WAS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. THE METAL IS PAPER THIN THERE.I'M CURIOUS IF THERE IS A RECALL AS THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS. MY CELL # IS[XXX].THANK-YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451411March 13, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE WITH CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEM (NOT ENGAGING) SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE DRIVER WAS ACCELERATING FROM STOPLIGHT. REACHED APPROX. 45 MPH UNDER FORCED ACCELERATION BEFORE WAS ABLE TO PULL ONTO SIDE ROAD, STAND ON BRAKE, SHIFT TO NEUTRAL, TURN OFF ENGINE. RESTART ENGINE STILL HAD ENGINE RACING. SECOND RESTART DITTO. TAPPED ACCELERATOR, ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL RPM. WHEW! WAS IN PROCESS OF PURCHASING VEHICLE, DEALERSHIP (NOT FORD) REPLACED CRUISE CONTROL CABLE, CRUISE NOW WORKING, NO REPEAT OF PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10444018January 17, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10441672December 29, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SUSPENSION
THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE DRUM HAD A 2" PIECE RUSTED OUT, THE LEFT REAR BRAKE HAD RUSTED SO BAD IT HAD BROKEN LOOSE IN THE DRUM AND THE SHACKLES HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN LEFT OUTSIDE ALWAYS GARAGED, NEVER BEEN IN HIGH WATER OR EXPOSED TO A HIGH LEVEL OFF SALT. THE UNDER CARRIAGE IS ALWAYS WASHED AFTER ROAD SALT HAS BEEN APPLIED. THE UNDER CARRIAGE HAS MORE RUST THAN NORMAL FOR A VEHICLE TAKEN CARE OF AS THIS ONE. THE MECHANIC EVEN COMMENTED ON IT. IN 2010 THE REAR SHOCKS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY HAD BEEN RUSTED THROUGH. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10440440December 19, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE ROTORS SOLD BY ADVANCE AUTO PARTS AS AN "EXACT FIT" FOR THIS VEHICLE WERE INSTALLED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS AND ALL ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS FOR A BRAKE REPAIR (PADS, CALIPERS, BEARINGS, SEALS, ABS RINGS) WERE ALSO INSTALLED AND SEEMED TO FIT PERFECTLY. AFTER ASSEMBLY I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE ONLY PARTIALLY BEARING ON THE BRAKE ROTOR, WITH THE PADS OVERLAPPING THE EDGE OF THE ROTORS. I DID NOT NOTICE THIS CONDITION UNTIL BOTH NEW FRONT ROTORS HAD BEEN REPLACED AND ALL COMPONENTS EXCEPT THE TIRES/WHEELS HAD BEEN REPLACED. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, THE ROTORS SOLD AS AN "EXACT FIT" (SELECTED FOR ME BY THE COUNTER MAN AT MY LOCAL ADVANCE AUTO PARTS STORE) WERE APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH SMALLER IN DIAMETER AS THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ROTORS. I CONTACTED ADVANCE CUSTOMER SERVICE TO INFORM THEM OF THIS PROBLEM AND THEY DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR INSTALLATION OF IMPROPER PARTS. SEVERAL REVIEWS POSTED ON THE STORE'S WEBSITE INDICATE THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE INSTALLED THESE ROTORS AND ARE DRIVING AROUND WITH THEM DESPITE THE FACT THEY ARE NOT THE PROPER ROTORS FOR THIS 4 WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE VEHICLE (THEY DO FIT RANGERS WITH REAR WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKES). THIS IS A MURPHY'S LAW SITUATION IN WHICH A CONSUMER CAN INSTALL THESE PARTS AND DRIVE AROUND WITH THEM, UNAWARE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR BRAKE FAILURE. THE FINAL INSTALLATION LOOKS NORMAL AND I WOULD NOT HAVE NOTICED UNLESS I HAD MADE A CLOSE INSPECTION AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE NOT IN FULL CONTACT WITH THE ROTOR SURFACE BECAUSE OF THE SMALLER THAN SPECIFICATION DIAMETER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE ADVANCE AUTO PARTS WEBSITE AND STORE COMPUTER SYSTEM LIST THEM AS AN EXACT FIT FOR THE VEHICLE WHEN, IN FACT, THEY ARE NOT. THEY CAN BE INSTALLED AND DRIVEN WITHOUT THE INSTALLER REALIZING THAT THEY ARE THE WRONG SIZE. THIS REQUIRES AN IMMEDIATE NOTICE AND RECALL AND ADVANCE SHOULD BE SANCTIONED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434772November 7, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE RANGERS FRAME COATING SYSTEM IS FAILING IN SEVERAL AREAS. THE PAINT IS JUST PEELING OFF. THERE IS ALSO A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE UNDERBODY OF THE CAB AND TRUCK BED. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THEN 55000 MILES AND ORIGINALLY IN THE STATE OF VA. THE VEHICLE WAS WILLED TO ME AND JUST BROUGHT TO THE STATE OF MA. IN AUGUST OF 2011. IT HAS NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO A NEW ENGLAND WINTER ROAD CONDITIONS. THE WINTER ROAD CONDITIONS WILL ONLY COMPOUND THE ISSUE. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURES UPON REQUEST. I STRONGLYRQUEST THAT SOME ACTION BE TAKEN TO INVESTIGATE THE PAINT SYSTEM FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430258October 14, 2011
AIR BAGS
HIT A CAR ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MPH. FRONT END AND LEFT FRONT TIRE DAMAGED, HOOD TENTED, TRIPPED FAILSAFE IN FUEL LINE, BUT NEITHER DRIVER NOR PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10400902May 15, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2003 FORD RANGER STEEL BRAKE LINE ROTTED AND FAILED. 26,000 MILES WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE. CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE. FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENT INCIDENT. STEEL LINE ROTTED AT FITTING OVER REAR AXLE WHERE IT ATTACHES TO FLEX LINE TO THE AXLE HOUSING. OTHER RUST AND CORROSION ISSUES PLAGUE THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10400770May 13, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH WARNING. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO REGISTER THIS PROBLEM BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS NOT CONCERNED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398775May 3, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SPARE TIRE CARRIER RUSTED OFF OF TRUCK SO WE THEN TOOK FURTHER INVESTIGATION. MY HUSBAND LAID UNDER THE BED OF THE TRUCK TO LOOK AT IT AND THEN SEEN A HOLE IN THE FLOOR OF THE TRUCK BED. SO RIGHT THEN HE REMOVED THE BED LINER THAT WAS IT IN AND SURE ENOUGH THERE WAS A HUGE HOLE. THEN ALSO SEEN THE FRAME WAS BROKEN AND RUSTED VERY BADLY. SO HE REMOVED THE TRUCK BED ITSELF FROM THE FRAME AND SEEN HOW BAD THE DAMAGE WAS. IT HAS SINCE CRACKED DUE TO THE OBSCENE AMOUNT OF RUST OF THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. THERE ARE ALSO RUST SPOTS IN SEVERAL SPOTS ON THE BODY OF THE TRUCK BUT ARE NOT AS CONCERNED ABOUT THAT AS THE FACT THAT THE FRAME IS BROKEN. THE DEALERSHIP SO FAR IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. WE FEEL THEY HAVE TRIED TO COVER IT UP. WE HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND ARE STILL WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. WE HAVE PICTURES AVAILABLE WHICH WE HAVE SHOWN TO A MECHANIC AT OUR CLOSET FORD DEALERSHIP AND HE STATED THIS WAS ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE. THIS IS A 2003 FORD RANGER. HAS NOT BEEN WRECKED OR DAMAGED IN ANY WAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10392991March 27, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THIS PROBLEM HAS APPEARED ALL OF A SUDDEN WITHOUT WARNING. BRAKES FADE AT LOW SPEEDS. THE PEDAL SINKS TO THE FLOORBOARD. THIS CONDITION OCCURS RANDOMLY. I HAVE TOPPED OFF THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. THIS HAS NOT CHANGED THE SITUATION. I'VE REVIEWED THE INTERNET FOR POTENTIAL REMEDIES AND HAVE DISCOVERED MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381015February 7, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND. THE OVERDRIVE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10371998December 21, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STRUCTURE
I OWN A 2003 FORD RANGER I BOUGHT NEW. ON NOVEMBER 26 2010 I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT @ WORK AND MY CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDALS FELL TO THE FLOOR CAUSING A MINOR CRASH. THE PIVOT BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE STEEL PEDALS IS MADE FROM CAST ALUMINUM. I HAVE BEEN A ALUMINUM WELDER FOR OVER 10 YEARS AND IN MY OPINION THIS BRACKET IS VERY SUBSTANDARD. I SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN ON RANGERS AND OTHER TRUCKS AND FORD CARS. IF I WAS ON THE ROAD THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. I SENT PICTURES AND A PIECE OF THE BRACKET TO A RECALL INVESTIGATOR. HE SAID ITS NOT A COMMON FAILURE SINCE HE CANT FIND ANY COMPLAINTS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10371235December 20, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN I ACCELERATE QUICKLY WITH MY 2003 FORD RANGER, THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR GETS STUCK AND WILL NOT RETURN TO NORMAL UNTIL I TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND PUT IT IN PARK. AFTER A MINUTE WHEN I START IT UP EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. BAD COMPUTER?? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370782December 15, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE CABLE FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SUDDENLY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE STOPPED BY TAKING THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED BY THE DRIVER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. UPDATED 02/09/11*LJ UPDATED 03/03/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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