2003 Ford Ranger Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 10%of 243 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,800miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Ford Ranger, 10% of the 243 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,800 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was recently an accident during which 3 things occurred that contributed to my injuries. The first thing that happened was steering wheel lockup preventing me from turning out of the way. The 2nd & 3rd things occurred when the truck was in free fall. First of all the seatbelt failed to restrained my body during the accident sending me straight into the steering wheel during which time the air bag failed to deploy. So there was nothing to brake my impact to said steering wheel. …”
NHTSA complaint #11042267, filed 2017-11, 155,680 miles“I have a 2003 Ford Ranger in which the air bag warning light was malfunctioning. At different times it would come on, stay on for a long time, weeks, then would go off again. I took it to the dealer who found a service bulletin that directed them to clean wires, wrap wires and re-route wires under the seat. It had to do with the safety belt retentioner. I do not know if this was actually a safety issue or not. No one would tell me how many Ford rangers had this problem, if this would cause any failure in the seat belt or the air bag. …”
NHTSA complaint #10178400, filed 2007-01, 46,800 miles“Tacata recall airbag light is flashing the stays on .not sure what is causing it but it could be serious if the bags do not work when needed . It came on about 1 month ago. Starts as soon as you start truck . Other light that just started flashing today over drive light started flashing but has now stopped .this is a 03 Ford Ranger f4”
NHTSA complaint #10840423, filed 2016-03, 78,000 miles“Air bag light keeps coming on and the dealership says that it is a defect with the airbag. I do not want to pay for the price of replacing it ~ if it is the companies fault that made the airbag.”
NHTSA complaint #11043087, filed 2017-11, 180,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10317757, filed 2010-03, 60,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 4% |
| 2024 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 2 | 11% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 3 | 2% |
| 2019 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 196 | 83% |
| 2010 | 128 | 82% |
| 2009 | 144 | 85% |
| 2008 | 295 | 90% |
| 2007 | 236 | 87% |
| 2006 | 175 | 64% |
| 2005 | 132 | 46% |
| 2004 | 189 | 47% |
| 2003 | 25 | 10% |
| 2002 | 37 | 11% |
| 2001 | 62 | 12% |
| 2000 | 67 | 10% |
| 1999 | 79 | 10% |
| 1998 | 32 | 6% |
| 1997 | 22 | 5% |
| 1996 | 25 | 6% |
| 1995 | 18 | 6% |
| 1994 | 3 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Ranger
43 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsBrakes
35 complaintsSuspension
23 complaintsEngine cooling
18 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsTires
10 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford Ranger
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology