2003 Ford Ranger structure problems
43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the structure on the 2003 Ford Ranger — 18% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed Jun 18, 2023
“The frame of my truck has rotted through. The strap that holds the gas tank has nothing to connect to, i think the tank could fall to the ground under the right circumstances. The frame has a large whole in it and i fear it will break very soon. I had to remove the spare tire because i feared it…”
filed Apr 14, 2023
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled…
TSB 20-2233 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 13, 2020Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel…
TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 7, 2019
Structure problems in other Ranger years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Ranger | 7 | 11% |
| 2021 Ranger | 6 | 5% |
| 2020 Ranger | 5 | 4% |
| 2019 Ranger | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 Ranger | 8 | 3% |
| 2010 Ranger | 6 | 4% |
| 2009 Ranger | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 Ranger | 9 | 3% |
| 2007 Ranger | 13 | 5% |
| 2006 Ranger | 26 | 10% |
| 2005 Ranger | 34 | 12% |
| 2004 Ranger | 46 | 11% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2003 Ford Ranger
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.