2003 Ford Ranger Ford Ranger 2003

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2003 Ford Ranger repairs by problem area

Engine (45%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (4%)

Brakes and Traction Control (6%)

Suspension and Steering (16%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (19%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)

Other (6%)

Chart based on 69 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2003 Ford Ranger.

2003 Ford Ranger repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (8%)

$500 - $999 (18%)

$100 - $499 (47%)

< $100 (27%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 60 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2003 Ford Ranger

Engine not specified

Ford Ranger in Hawaii, United States
Aug 2003 - Aug 2017
Feb 2003

1000 mi
The plastic heater control valve disintegrated and was replaced. 

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2003 Ford Ranger 4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed

207-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed manual RWD

Ford Ranger in Ohio, United States
May 2011 - Aug 2012
Jun 2011

194000 mi

US $200
Replaced aftermarket oil cooler 

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2003 Ford Ranger 4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed

207-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range

Ford Ranger in Washington, United States
Dec 2014 - Aug 2016
Jul 2015

49000 mi

US $750
Total fuel pump failure 
Ford Ranger in Pennsylvania, United States
May 2016 - Jun 2017
Jun 2016

180000 mi

US $2000
Not sure about the details. 
Ford Ranger in Pennsylvania, United States
Jan 2010 - Jun 2011
Sep 2010

57000 mi

US $270
cracked vacuum hose dash lights burned out 
Nov 2010

60000 mi

US $500
replaced LF hub assy. due to worn wheel bearing 

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2003 Ford Ranger 4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed

207-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD

Ford Ranger in Virginia, United States
Jan 2010 - Mar 2012
Jan 2010

67500 mi

US $75
Purchase. Within 2 days the airbag light was on. Possibly loose connector - mechanic reconnected. Noise coming from back end - mechanic could not find any faults. Noise stopped after one trip. 
Feb 2010

69000 mi

US $70
Wire had come loose for air bag system so light was on. Problem fixed. 
Apr 2010

69000 mi

US $300
Replaced front lower ball joints, and suspension rods. All due to wear and tear. 
May 2011

75000 mi

US $30
Check engine light came on with codes for MAF. Car was rocking when idling and stalling intermittently. Cleaned MAF and replaced oxygen filter. No change. Found hose with hole in it, replaced and cleared codes - now fixed 2 weeks. 

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2003 Ford Ranger 4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed

207-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range

Ford Ranger in Virginia, United States
Aug 2010 - May 2023
Mar 2010

42551 mi

US $50
Replaced driver window motor 
Oct 2010

46171 mi

US $489
Replace PCV elbow assembly. Fuel pump replaced. 
Sep 2013

60000 mi

US $95
Lower thermostat housing leaking, replaced with new lower and upper housing and new thermostat. 
Jan 2015

US $230
Power steering pump leaking, replaced pump and drive belt 
Sep 2016

70000 mi

US $200
valve gasket leak, replaced gasket on driver side 
Feb 2017

71612 mi

US $223
Front pinion leaking, replace pinion seal and nut, topped off dif fluid. 
Sep 2017

73242 mi

US $245
Replaced Idler and tensioner pulley, weak. Replaced belt. Replaced front brake rotors and pads 
Dec 2017

73870 mi

US $225
Replaced valve gasket driver side due to leak 
Aug 2018

75934 mi

US $106
Front sway bar end links replaced 
Nov 2022

83710 mi

US $222
Replaced upper ball joint/control arm passenger side 
Apr 2023

84219 mi

US $418
Fuel pump intermittent, removed and replaced 
Ford Ranger in Colorado, United States
Jan 2009 - Jun 2011
Sep 2009

10500 mi

US $150
replace alternator 
Ford Ranger in Wisconsin, United States
Feb 2009 - Jun 2011
May 2009

55000 mi

US $150
Replaced front right hub assembly. 
Ford Ranger in Washington, United States
Jun 2021 - Jun 2022
May 2022

188000 mi

US $697
Emission sensor? 
Ford Ranger in Minnesota, United States
Mar 2017 - Jul 2018
Jul 2018

155000 mi

US $125
Drivers Door Hinge loose so door wouldn't shut properly 
Ford Ranger in Illinois, United States
Jan 2010 - Jan 2012
Oct 2011

51500 mi

US $175
Replaced shocks. 
Ford Ranger in New Mexico, United States
Dec 2012 - Mar 2015
Feb 2015

153600 mi

US $150
Seam between upper and lower thermostat housing was eroded and leaking. Replaced entire assembly including seals and thermostat. 
Ford Ranger in Georgia, United States
Sep 2013 - Sep 2014
May 2014

164300 mi

US $2300
Piston busted into a million pieces had to replace engine. Used engine 2002 4.0 with 119,000 miles. 

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2003 Ford Ranger 4dr Extended Cab 6ft bed

154-horsepower 3.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD

Ford Ranger in Oklahoma, United States
Nov 2012 - Jun 2018
Apr 2013

170000 mi

US $390
Fuel gauge quit working; fix was to replace sensor (sending) unit, which had to be ordered, which is why it was in shop three days 
Apr 2014

183200 mi

US $750
Fuel pump failed, removed and replaced; time was extended by search for replacement fuel pump. 

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2003 Ford Ranger 2dr Regular Cab 7ft bed

207-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD

Ford Ranger in Missouri, United States
Mar 2013 - Apr 2013
Apr 2013

95000 mi

US $300
synchro/timing heater blower motor shot 

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2003 Ford Ranger 2dr Regular Cab 7ft bed

154-horsepower 3.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD

Ford Ranger in Ohio, United States
Jan 2013 - Aug 2018
Feb 2013

85800 mi

US $160
Replace failed heater core 
Sep 2015

107000 mi

US $787
No start-cranks, dies right away Fuel pump removed and replaced including R&I fuel tank and oil change While repairing the fuel pump, the shop damaged the brake line and needed to replace it. Replaced front to rear brake line and bleed system. 
Oct 2016

124300 mi
Check engine light came on. Took truck in-mechanic determined gas cap seal wasn't effective. Mechanic cleaned seal and around gas cap, reinserted gas cap, and check engine light cleared. Mechanic recommends replacing the gas cap soon. 
Ford Ranger in Georgia, United States
Feb 2011 - Mar 2016
May 2014

39700 mi

US $130
new battery. Origonal died 
Ford Ranger in Pennsylvania, United States
Jan 2018 - Jun 2018
Apr 2018

119000 mi

US $140
ball joint 

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2003 Ford Ranger 2dr Regular Cab 6ft bed

207-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range

Ford Ranger in Minnesota, United States
Feb 2012 - Mar 2012
Mar 2012

115000 mi

US $1433
Replaced Shocks Replaced seal. 

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2003 Ford Ranger 2dr Regular Cab 6ft bed

154-horsepower 3.0L V6 5-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range

Ford Ranger in Virginia, United States
Sep 2010 - Nov 2011
Aug 2011

157000 mi

US $150
1" Hole rusted through in truck bed. Appears to be caused by some sort of cottony material glued to underside of bed above the muffler shield. It holds water against the bed and accelerates rusting. Shop cut out rust and welded in a patch. 

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2003 Ford Ranger 2dr Regular Cab 6ft bed

143-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual RWD

Ford Ranger in Alabama, United States
Apr 2013 - Jun 2022
May 2014

55000 mi

US $18
tail-gate latch handle broke so that tail gate could not be unlocked. Ordered a new latch handle from an on-line parts site, who also had a video showing how to install the new handle. Easy to fix myself, about 15 minutes. 
May 2016

58000 mi

US $1000
tie rods, ball joints needed to be replaced Rubber covers on cruise control buttons had hardened and broken, exposing wiring beneath 
Jul 2021

64000 mi

US $300
replace ignition coil replace a/c fan switch, replace headlights switch 
Ford Ranger in New York, United States
Dec 2012 - Jun 2013
May 2013

97300 mi

US $75
bad u-joint 
Ford Ranger in New Jersey, United States
Feb 2010 - Apr 2010
Apr 2010

69000 mi

US $700
Replaced non-functioning alternator and replaced battery after towing. 
Ford Ranger in Washington, United States
Feb 2010 - Mar 2018
Dec 2010

58000 mi

US $300
Replacement of brake cylinders and pads. 

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2003 Ford Ranger 2dr Regular Cab 6ft bed

143-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed automatic RWD

Ford Ranger in Florida, United States
Aug 2017 - Mar 2018
Dec 2017

101000 mi

US $850
Valve cover gasket Intake manifold gasket 
Mar 2018

104265 mi

US $530
Hose - Heater Water and replaced missing coolant 
Ford Ranger in Missouri, United States
Mar 2011 - Apr 2017
Apr 2012

149000 mi

US $300
Leaking valve cover gasket 
Jul 2015

181300 mi

US $38
Ac warm, I got a refil kit from O Riley, very helpfull. 

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2003 Ford Ranger 2dr Extended Cab 6ft bed

207-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range

Ford Ranger in North Dakota, United States
Aug 2010 - Jul 2011
Oct 2010

80000 mi

US $164
Owner noticed fluid leaking from rear differential. Vehicle was brought to private shop. Rear differential cover was removed, axle seals and differential fluid was replaced before reinstalling differential cover with new seal. 

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2003 Ford Ranger 2dr Extended Cab 6ft bed

207-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD

Ford Ranger in Alabama, United States
Sep 2013 - Jun 2022
May 2018

145000 mi

US $125
Drivers side power window motor locked up. Had it replaced 
Feb 2022

167000 mi

US $2200
replaced valve cover gasket  and thermostat housing.  Also replaced all brakes and wheel cylinders 

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2003 Ford Ranger 2dr Extended Cab 6ft bed

154-horsepower 3.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD

Ford Ranger in Alberta, Canada
Jun 2014 - Jun 2018
Mar 2016

48980 mi

C $500
replaced drive belt idler pulley and replaced tensioner pulley. 
Ford Ranger in Florida, United States
Apr 2011 - Feb 2016
Aug 2013

89000 mi

US $30
replaced throttle position sensor 
Feb 2014

96000 mi

US $35
replaced the mass airflow sensor from junkyard 
Oct 2015

114700 mi

US $183
clogged pcv valve & leaking vacuum hose 
Dec 2015

118000 mi

US $980
Blown Head Gasket 
Feb 2016

118000 mi
Replaced radiator 
Ford Ranger in Texas, United States
Dec 2015 - Dec 2017
Feb 2016

131100 mi

US $69
Cruise control switches were broken and were replaced 

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2003 Ford Ranger Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2003 Ford Ranger problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.