14 problems related to body have been reported for the 2003 Ford Ranger. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Ford Ranger based on all problems reported for the 2003 Ranger.
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.
The frame of my truck has rotted through. The strap that holds the gas tank has nothing to connect to, I think the tank could fall to the ground under the right circumstances. The frame has a large whole in it and I fear it will break very soon. I had to remove the spare tire because I feared it would fall off the truck. I had to replace both connectors that held the leaf springs to the frame,and was told there wasn't much left to connect them to.
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.
The fuel tank strap bracket on the frame rotted out and the strap is now hanging loose. The strap looks to be rusty but wasn't the issue it is where the t-shape end on the strap hooks to the frame/bracket that is the problem if the other straps are taking up all the weight and were to break this could cause the gas tank to fall out. This may have happened while driving on city streets. Salt spread throughout the winter and wet conditions would be the best cause for this to happen resulting in rust and corrosion. Also common for the leaf spring shackles and mounts to rot out and come apart this is also another safety issue in itself. This also applies to the Mazda b2300 through the b4000 series pick ups since they use the same Ranger frames.
Frame in rear of vehicle has holes on both the left side and right side. Also where the spare tire is held is also rotted out , can not hold a spare tire. Also the cross member that holdes the the gas tank strap is also rotting. Due to the rotted frame the truck is unable to tow anything with. Other than the frame the truck is in good condition.
Tl- the contact owns 2003 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while taking the vehicle to receive new tires at schierl tire and service center located at 1002 s 8th street, medford, WI 54451; 715-748-2963 who they were informed that the rear frame near the shackles and bumper was located was severly rusted through to the point that nothing could be attached to the frame. The contact contacted the medford motors dealership located at 105 wisconsin avenue, medford, WI 54451; 715-748-3700 who informed the contact that the failure was premature and the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000. Gl.
The entire front of the bed rusted apart and now has a three to five inch gap between front bed wall and bed floor. Needless to say the front bolts that attach the bed are no longer doing anything to hold the bed down. This results in the entire front of the bed flopping around and bouncing when driving. To add insult to injury the rear portion of the frame when the leaf spring shackles mount are rusted through with several holes visible, and the entire passenger side leaf spring shackle rusted apart and busted off the frame the other day while driving on a state highway at highway speeds. It took me 11 hours to grind off the old rivets and replace the shackle but am unsure if the frame will hold up due to the severe perforation's from rusting. The other side has not compromised yet but it is in really bad shape and will be falling apart in the next few months. Hopefully it wont result in an accident when it does go.
My wife got a 2003 Ford Ranger fx4 last year. As we looked it over we notice some bubbling rust under the paint. The dealer said he would paint it if we got the truck. Ok so he did and it looked good. A few months later I started to notice more bubbling. Last week I was driving it and I heard something like a thump, I looked in the mirror and saw the spare tire in the middle of the road. I pulled over and put the spare in the bed. When I got home I looked under the truck and noticed the spain tier area was totally rotted out. Yesterday I pulled into the driveway and hear a squeaking noise. I looked around and noticed that the front passenger corner of the bed was hanging. I looked at the area and what held the bed up was totally rotted out. We are now afraid to drive the truck!!! what can we do?.
Severe frame rot (rust) at aprox. 85000 miles, already replaced left rear leaf spring mount (aprox. 2 years ago) frame cross braces are rusting through including the spare tire mount. 10/10/16. My belief is that there was little or no corrosion resistant appliad to these frames upon vehicle assambly. Good usable parts are hard if not impossible to find as most are as bad or worse than my existing parts. I believe this issue exists when vehicle is stationary or in motion.
2003 Ford Ranger suddenly accelerated upon attempting to park. I was pulling into my parking spot while apply the brakes when my vehicle suddenly accelerated, jumped a snow bank and hit a light pole. Independent witness reported the vehicle just took off, rear wheels rapidly started turning. I contacted Ford motor CO. Who did not seem too concerned about the incident and had no interest to inspect the vehicle.
Lost all brakes while driving. Found all brake lines rotted and in need of replacement. While replacing lines, noticed excessive frame and cross member deterioration from rust. Bed cross members completely rusted away and rear spring hangers rusted so bad they are ready to break off.
Structure rotting out had to replace shock mount and a strut to pass inspection. Now have 34000 miles on it and the spare tire casing separated from the body, the strut holding the transmission is rust so I can't trust it to drive. The body isin perfect shape.
I was attaching utility trailer to my truck. I jumped in the trailer to get the ball to seat in the receiver and noticed the bumper pulled away from the body of the truck. I looked under neath and saw the frame broke in front of where the trailer hitch was attached to the frame. The metal is paper thin there. I'm curious if there is a recall as this seems very dangerous. My cell # is[xxx]. Thank-you. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
Tl- the contact 2003 Ford Ranger pick up. The contact stated that there is extreme rotting to the frame bed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the technician diagnosed there was significant bed rot to the center frame. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,000 and the current mileage 53,000. Sr.