2003 Ford Ranger Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 3%of 243 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,300miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Ford Ranger, 3% of the 243 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,300 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 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 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“Takata recall driving home on dec 23, 2015 and turning in my driveway something in the steering column on rhe drivers side of fire wall let go and there was no way to control the steering. The steering wheel would just spin around. Very scarey but no accident .”
NHTSA complaint #10816242, filed 2015-12, 109,000 miles“Intermittent failure of power steering when turning. Has happened consistently since purchase of t he vehicle in may 2003. Taken to dealer for service twice and each time the dealer has been unable to confirm the defect so no repair has been made to date. The truck is currently at the dealer to drive until defect is noted.”
NHTSA complaint #10039342, filed 2003-09, 26 miles“The contact owned a 2003 Ford Ranger. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the steering wheel became extremely loose and failed to operate. The contact crashed the vehicle into a barricade. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a broken jaw, three broken ribs, and his spine was injured, which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10640733, filed 2014-10, 100,000 miles“Dt: the contact was traveling at 45 MPH when the vehicle hit a patch of ice on the road. He lost control of the vehicle and hit a ditch. The vehicle then rolled and hit an embankment. The vehicle t busted in to flames. The occupants were able to get out of the vehicle before it exploded. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. Injuries were sustained. The vehicle has not been inspected at this time to determine what caused the vehicle to explode. The vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10146171, filed 2005-12Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 5% |
| 2024 | 6 | 6% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 2 | 2% |
| 2019 | 5 | 2% |
| 2011 | 1 | 0% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 2% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 7 | 3% |
| 2002 | 8 | 2% |
| 2001 | 7 | 1% |
| 2000 | 25 | 4% |
| 1999 | 16 | 2% |
| 1998 | 19 | 3% |
| 1997 | 21 | 5% |
| 1996 | 17 | 4% |
| 1995 | 9 | 3% |
| 1994 | 19 | 4% |
| 1993 | 4 | 2% |
| 1992 | 3 | 2% |
| 1990 | 2 | 2% |
| 1988 | 3 | 3% |
| 1987 | 3 | 6% |
| 1986 | 2 | 6% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
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 28, 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