11 problems related to frame rust 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.
Two years ago, a crunching noise while turning was determined to be that both rear spring brackets had rusted through and broken, leaving the rear of the leaf springs unattached to the frame. Both were replaced without incident. This week, while doing routine maintenance, I noticed the front fuel tank hanger was out of place. Upon examination, one side of the fuel tank hanger was completely disconnected from the frame. The cross member and the hanger for the fuel tank bracket is completely rusted away. The frame has no structural support in that area and nothing is supporting the front of the fuel tank. It is unacceptable that Ford is allowed to produce frames that rust away right under the vehicle so quickly. This truck body looks fine, however, the bed is rusted away in two places and this frame cross member is completely gone.
A few weeks ago my spare tire fell off my truck while driving on lakeshore drive in hewitt, NJ 07421. Thankfully it rolled off onto the side of the road so no one else hit it. Yesterday I noticed the back end of the truck looked twisted only to find that the rear passenger side frame is completely snapped. Only to further discover the entire frame, suspension, and various other components are rotting horribly. My vehicle has under 70,000 miles. I had an older Toyota tacoma a few years ago that was recalled due to frame rust and it was fully handled. However, the rust and rot on this Ford Ranger make the 1997 tacoma frame look nearly new. I can no longer drive this vehicle as it is not safe. Ironically, it seem that this is or has happened to nearly every Ford Ranger from the early 2000s. Personally I feel with the overwhelming amount of web evidence (literally thousands) Ford should be held responsible. Please see the photos I've attached. Thank you.
Ranger rear frame is rusting heavily. Spare tire assembly may be unreliable.
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.
Rear half of frame excessive corrosion. Frame, spring mounts, spare tire rack and main frame members rusted away affecting structural integrity. Corrosion is significantly worse than would be expected for this age vehicle. Rear spring mounts dangerously corroded.
Spring shackle support on rear of truck on drivers side of truck rusted completely off the frame and was replaced in the summer of 2015 , the other side was also replaced at the same time. Spring pushed thru the truck bed. Frame on rear drivers side of vehicle has rusted thru. Spare tire holder rusted off causing spare tire to fall off somewhere while driving down the road. Bed rail supports are rusted thru into the interior of the truck bed. Rear shock body's are rusted off, shock supports rusted badly other places on the truck frame are rusted very bad also pictures are attached !!!!.
Frame rusted-took it to be repaired. Was told it is not reparable. Too rusty and far gone to fix. Take it off the road. Not safe to drive. The rest of it is still in good shape.
While replacing fuel system canister I had to remove spare tire and noticed cross section of frame rusted through. I also noticed strap for has tank rusted trough. I will need to replace at my expense both.
The rear frame is rusted so bad it won't pass inspection. The rest of the truck is in great shape.
I discovered that the truck bed had rusted completely through and has severe rust on the frame as well. The rest of the truck is in very good condition with no rust showing anywhere. All of the rust is on the passenger side of the truck bed. It appears to have started at the heat shields. The truck had a sprayed in rhino lining that Ford sold when I bought the truck new which hid the problem until the bed gave way completely and now has one 5"x 8" hole and another smaller hole.
Spare tire carrier rusted off of truck so we then took further investigation. My husband laid under the bed of the truck to look at it and then seen a hole in the floor of the truck bed. So right then he removed the bed liner that was it in and sure enough there was a huge hole. Then also seen the frame was broken and rusted very badly. So he removed the truck bed itself from the frame and seen how bad the damage was. It has since cracked due to the obscene amount of rust of the frame of the truck. There are also rust spots in several spots on the body of the truck but are not as concerned about that as the fact that the frame is broken. The dealership so far is not taking responsibility for this. We feel they have tried to cover it up. We have filed a complaint with the attorney general's office and are still waiting for a response from the dealership. Ford motor company is not taking responsibility for it. We have pictures available which we have shown to a mechanic at our closet Ford dealership and he stated this was abosolutely unbelievable. This is a 2003 Ford Ranger. Has not been wrecked or damaged in any way.