2003 Ford Ranger Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 4%of 243 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,350miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the seat belts of the 2003 Ford Ranger, 4% of the 243 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,350 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, 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 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“This is my second Ranger. The first(1998) I had an accident in,the seat belt never employed, I received concussion, I have noticed the same with this 2003 Ranger, seat belt will not stay tight, or employ when jerked on.stationary.”
NHTSA complaint #10893393, filed 2016-08, 120,000 miles“At about 6000 miles I noticed the vehicle vibrating when I applied the brakes. I took it in to the local Ford dealer in temecula and they told me the rotors on the front brakes were overheating. I mentioned to them that I never had a problem before on the many cars I've owned over the years (as I'm 54 years old). They machined the rotors for free but told me it was my driving. At about 11,000 miles I experienced the same problem. I brought it to the same dealer and after much discussion with the service manager he machined the rotors for free. …”
NHTSA complaint #10100035, filed 2004-11, 6,000 miles“Slid off road, drivers tires blew out vehicle rolled twice. Driver nor passenger seatbelt restrained upper body. Driver's head wedged under steering wheel and upper left back shoulder and arm exited the vehicle. Roof caved in on driver, resulting in multiple breaks, fractures and partial parallization. Passengers legs hit chest from lack of restraining seatbelt.”
NHTSA complaint #10100677, filed 2004-11, 11,155 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Ford Ranger which was purchased in 2008. She stated that the passenger seat belt would not latch into the latch mechanism. Neither the manufacturer nor dealer were contacted to date. The contact was not aware if there were any recalls on her specific vehicle. The failure and current mileages were under 108,000. Updated 02/1710 updated 02/19/10”
NHTSA complaint #10298970, filed 2010-01, 108,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10014138Jun 7, 2005Safety belt retraction speed.
Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 6 | 5% |
| 2019 | 7 | 3% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 1 | 0% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 9 | 4% |
| 2002 | 16 | 5% |
| 2001 | 45 | 9% |
| 2000 | 23 | 3% |
| 1999 | 12 | 2% |
| 1998 | 13 | 2% |
| 1997 | 9 | 2% |
| 1996 | 26 | 6% |
| 1995 | 17 | 5% |
| 1994 | 11 | 3% |
| 1993 | 7 | 3% |
| 1992 | 2 | 1% |
| 1991 | 3 | 2% |
| 1990 | 3 | 3% |
| 1989 | 3 | 4% |
| 1988 | 9 | 10% |
| 1987 | 8 | 16% |
| 1986 | 7 | 20% |
| 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 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