Model year record

2003 Ford Ranger

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 311 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V399000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
4,500,000
Reported to NHTSA
2009-10-13
Owners notified
2009-10-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Manufacturer remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Vehicle speed control3159,000 mi
Structure: body2598,120 mi
Suspension2198,120 mi
Air bags1848,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1758,600 mi
Electrical system1456,000 mi
Unknown or other12112,000 mi
Engine9142,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine918,300 mi
Structure949,522 mi
Engine and engine cooling710,000 mi
Air bags: frontal620,050 mi
Fuel system, gasoline670,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system650,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission670,000 mi
Tires620,000 mi
Service brakes578,000 mi
Steering5100,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal59,300 mi
Seat belts4120,000 mi
Structure: frame and members460,000 mi
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire419,000 mi
Wheels4109,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring345,891 mi
Exterior lighting385,000 mi
Parking brake3100 mi
Power train3300 mi
Power train: manual transmission332,000 mi
Seat belts: front311,155 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip324,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor335,566 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages313,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control331,200 mi
Latches/locks/linkages243,220 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch213,600 mi
Power train: clutch assembly215,000 mi
Seats2137,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads260,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system226 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields270,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module111,999 mi
Child seat160,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline149,710 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control121,000 mi
Equipment18,000 mi
Equipment: electrical111,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Exterior lighting: fog lights1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump136,077 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1272 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap150,000 mi
Fuel system, other156,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery158,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump156,186 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system15,621 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1100 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft137,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal115,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft16,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1108,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc128,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Steering: rack and pinion122,600 mi
Structure: body: door15 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars111,155 mi
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments121,300 mi
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: hub160,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables1100,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1

The 2002 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.