2003 Ford Ranger Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 7%of 243 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,093miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Ford Ranger, 7% of the 243 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,093 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Every so often when I step on the brake and accelerate one time I almost backed into somebody there's been a lot of complaints on the internet about this happening to their Ford Ranger 2003”
NHTSA complaint #11098273, filed 2018-05, 14,600 miles“The first time the car engine started racing uncontrollably I was at a stop sign. The second time, the same day 3/10/2010 I turned a corner and we took off at a very high speed. Both times I put the vehicle in neutral and goosed the gas pedal and the engine settled down to a normal speed. 2003 Ford Ranger.”
NHTSA complaint #10319619, filed 2010-03, 109,500 miles“I was backing down a driveway when the truck accelerated full throttle while I had my foot on the brake peddle. I ended up crashing into a tree totaling my 2003 Ford Ranger xlt.”
NHTSA complaint #10818778, filed 2016-01, 112,000 miles“The truck stalled in traffic. Acted as if it was out of gas, but had half a tank of fuel. Called tow truck. Luckily the driver was able to show me the inertia switch, and how to reset it. Was charged 50 dollars for this, did not have to tow vehicle. Since then it has tripped many times when I have a passenger, it's placement is such that a passenger's feet will trip it very easily. It now also trips for no reason, no passenger, no bumping it etc. It has tripped while driving in the fast lane of freeway, no passenger in vehicle. This is very scary and dangerous. …”
NHTSA complaint #10546850, filed 2013-10, 50,000 miles“I have a 2003 Ford Ranger regular cab 2 wheel drive truck. On 5 occasions the emergency fuel shutoff switch located inside the cab on the passenger side fire wall has been dislodge by the passenger getting there foot on the connector and disconnecting the power plug from the switch this causes the truck to stall immediately. I have only owned this truck for approx 90 days. If this happens at the wrong time this could get someone hurt or killed.”
NHTSA complaint #10130122, filed 2005-07, 58,000 milesFuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 5% |
| 2024 | 8 | 8% |
| 2023 | 1 | 6% |
| 2022 | 2 | 5% |
| 2021 | 8 | 7% |
| 2020 | 2 | 2% |
| 2019 | 9 | 3% |
| 2011 | 6 | 3% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 16 | 6% |
| 2005 | 50 | 17% |
| 2004 | 21 | 5% |
| 2003 | 18 | 7% |
| 2002 | 17 | 5% |
| 2001 | 31 | 6% |
| 2000 | 26 | 4% |
| 1999 | 18 | 2% |
| 1998 | 18 | 3% |
| 1997 | 67 | 16% |
| 1996 | 35 | 8% |
| 1995 | 23 | 7% |
| 1994 | 63 | 14% |
| 1993 | 21 | 9% |
| 1992 | 10 | 5% |
| 1991 | 4 | 3% |
| 1990 | 11 | 10% |
| 1989 | 10 | 14% |
| 1988 | 6 | 7% |
| 1987 | 7 | 14% |
| 1986 | 4 | 11% |
| 1985 | 2 | 7% |
| 1984 | 1 | 8% |
| 1983 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Ranger
43 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsBrakes
35 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsSuspension
23 complaintsEngine cooling
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 30, 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