2003 Ford Ranger Wheels Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 2%of 243 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 119,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the wheels of the 2003 Ford Ranger, 2% of the 243 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 119,000 miles. 2 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.
“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“The contact owned a 2003 Ford Ranger. While driving at 35 MPH, the spindle on the driver side tire rod broke. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle swerved from lane to lane the vehicle went off the road. The vehicle became air born and crashed in a tree. The air bags did not deploy and the seat belts wouldn't buckle. The contact sustained a cut from their ear to their throat from the seat belt, the contact also had a burn mark from the seat belt. The contact sought medical attention. The contact's brother was in the vehicle was as well. …”
NHTSA complaint #11252437, filed 2019-08, 129,000 miles“Truck has no spare tire, totally missing the assembly and bracket originally used to hold the tire (have a junk one in the bed). The crossmember under the truck is about 50% intact is getting ready to fall off. Brake lines and rocker panals rotted out as well. Holes in the frame starting and a patch was already needed on the frame (drivers side rear). As well as a loose bed. The truck is very clean on top but underneath is rotting away like it has 200000 miles on it(truck is at 77,000). I want to remove the rust and coat it but im scared of punching through cause spots are brittle.”
NHTSA complaint #11527592, filed 2023-06“Problems with the size of the spare tire equipment on Ford Ranger. The spare and wheel are not the same size or same spec as the rest of the tires. The spare was not rated to carry the weight of a fully loaded truck. The truck has 4 wheel antilock brakes but the use of the spare tire and wheel rendered the antilock brakes inoperative.”
NHTSA complaint #10118895, filed 2005-04Wheels: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 11% |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2019 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 3 | 1% |
| 2005 | 4 | 1% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% |
| 2002 | 5 | 1% |
| 2001 | 6 | 1% |
| 2000 | 7 | 1% |
| 1999 | 14 | 2% |
| 1998 | 10 | 2% |
| 1997 | 3 | 1% |
| 1996 | 3 | 1% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
| 1994 | 3 | 1% |
| 1993 | 2 | 1% |
| 1992 | 3 | 2% |
| 1991 | 2 | 2% |
| 1989 | 1 | 1% |
| 1987 | 2 | 4% |
| 1986 | 2 | 6% |
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