2003 Ford Ranger Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 9%of 243 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,120miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Ford Ranger, 9% of the 243 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,120 miles. 3 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.
“Spin out and fishtailing issue. I was turning a corner and I stepped down to get out of the way of oncoming traffic. The tires begin to spinout; I lost control of the truck, crashed into the curb, and blew out three new tires and bent 3 rims. I also had some small damage to the truck's body. This spinout has happen on more than one occasion. Most vehicles would burn rubber, however this truck spinouts and has some fishtailing which I consider a safety issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10853781, filed 2016-04, 109,000 miles“Entire frame rusted out. Won't pass inspection. Obviously an ongoing problem. Driver side behind cab to bumper very bad. It is actually allthe way into.we got it on a line of credit. We are out of 5000.00 . Rest of truck is really nice”
NHTSA complaint #10896110, filed 2016-08, 87,000 miles“The vehicle was riding very rough as though some one was knocking on the engine with a hammer. I took it to the dealer ( gene evans Ford ) which is where I purchase it from, all I was told was that is what a truck suppose to sound like. I continue to complain about the roughness of the truck, no one was concern about my complaints. Now here it is september 2010, I take my truck for a oil change and tire rotation in new jersey and the repair shop writes up a invoice stating my rear axle needs an adjustment. …”
NHTSA complaint #10651711, filed 2014-10, 300 miles“Body, frame and suspension have all been rusted out. Bumper recently just fell off due to rust (while parked). Doors won't shut completely due to rust, which has LED to the interior light remaining on or periodically turning on throughout the day/night and killing the battery. Entire truck is one big pile of rust on wheels.”
NHTSA complaint #11360843, filed 2020-09, 128,000 miles“Chassis rotting out. Lost spare tire carrier and rear frame support. Spring perch rotted off chassis. Other areas are beginning to rot out on frame rails! Things came apart in motion but was able to safely remove upon stopping”
NHTSA complaint #11354894, filed 2020-09, 230,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10014096Dec 13, 2004Revised procedure for adjusting alignment on all suspensions - new right hand upper control arm design for torsion bar front suspensions.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 5% |
| 2024 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 1 | 6% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 5 | 4% |
| 2019 | 20 | 7% |
| 2011 | 1 | 0% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 1% |
| 2006 | 20 | 7% |
| 2005 | 26 | 9% |
| 2004 | 29 | 7% |
| 2003 | 23 | 9% |
| 2002 | 36 | 10% |
| 2001 | 87 | 17% |
| 2000 | 72 | 11% |
| 1999 | 67 | 9% |
| 1998 | 52 | 9% |
| 1997 | 25 | 6% |
| 1996 | 21 | 5% |
| 1995 | 21 | 7% |
| 1994 | 30 | 7% |
| 1993 | 16 | 7% |
| 1992 | 32 | 17% |
| 1991 | 17 | 13% |
| 1990 | 3 | 3% |
| 1989 | 2 | 3% |
| 1988 | 1 | 1% |
| 1987 | 2 | 4% |
| 1986 | 1 | 3% |
| 1985 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Ranger
43 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsBrakes
35 complaintsAir bags
25 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 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