2003 Ford Ranger Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 2%of 243 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Ford Ranger, 2% of the 243 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchase this truck brand new from gene evans Ford in august 2003. I started complaining to them a week later that the truck rides as though my butt is hitting the pavement on a trip I took. Everyone ignored my concern in the service and sales department. When the problem was finally notice. I was sold a brand new truck with a severe bent axle and they would not do anything to repair the truck nor give me another one. They all played dumb and stupid as to never seeing the problem in the beginning. Ford still owes me restitution. …”
NHTSA complaint #10954120, filed 2017-02, 7,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the headlights and the instrument panel lights suddenly began to flicker followed by the vehicle stalling. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and returned the next day to discover the vehicle had caught on fire and was completely destroyed. The vehicle was towed to a wrecking yard and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the fire. The failure mileage was 185,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10564349, filed 2014-02, 185,000 miles“Fog lamp lenses on 2003 Ford Ranger pick-up truck keep cracking. Dealer claims roadside debris is the cause. However, both lenses have cracked twice at the same time. Complaints have been made twice to Ford motor co. Which has no recall record for this type of incident.”
NHTSA complaint #10149370, filed 2006-02“I was blinded by oncoming head lights not set to high beam and distraction from very bright head lights in rear view mirror (also not on high beam). The source is Ford Ranger pickups built in the last 5 years. Other makes of trucks and SUV's can be bad, but the Ranger is the worst of the bunch.”
NHTSA complaint #10045116, filed 2003-10Related service bulletins
- 10017889Apr 1, 2005Brake lamp concerns.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 11% |
| 2022 | 2 | 5% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 6 | 5% |
| 2019 | 14 | 5% |
| 2011 | 9 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 5 | 1% |
| 2003 | 6 | 2% |
| 2002 | 7 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 1% |
| 2000 | 14 | 2% |
| 1999 | 13 | 2% |
| 1998 | 16 | 3% |
| 1997 | 14 | 3% |
| 1996 | 17 | 4% |
| 1995 | 15 | 5% |
| 1994 | 10 | 2% |
| 1993 | 7 | 3% |
| 1992 | 4 | 2% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
| 1988 | 1 | 1% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Ranger
43 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsBrakes
35 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsSuspension
23 complaintsEngine cooling
18 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsTires
10 complaintsEngine
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