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2.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,254 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Ford Ranger transmission problems

transmission problem

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2003 Ford Ranger Owner Comments

problem #6

Feb 022011

Ranger

  • 9,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Ranger. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact started the ignition and when the gear was shifted into reverse, the transmission failed to respond. The overdrive warning indicator illuminated and remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #5

Jul 032010

Ranger

  • 105,000 miles
When stopped at a traffic light with the brake applied and the engine idling in drive (an automatic transmission) the engine revved up significantly. When it did I pushed on the brake as hard as I could and the rear wheel spun. This has been happening maybe 3 or 4 times a year for the past two years and most of the time can be stopped by releasing then quickly pressing on the brake. This is the first time it has happened where someone could have been hurt and I received a ticket for the incident.

- Georgetown, KY, USA

problem #4

Aug 022007

Ranger

  • 70,000 miles
I drive the 2003 Ford Ranger edge V-6, 3.0. in stop and go traffic my transmission shifts very hard into 2nd and 3rd gear...it has happened numerous times through out the year I've had the truck. The problem is usually from 0-25 mph. I took the truck to the dealership, but they turned me away blaming me for the cause of the problem....even though my truck was still under warranty.

- Rio Linda, CA, USA

problem #3

Aug 012007

Ranger 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2003 Ford Ranger 4.0L 4WD at. Two of the six valve seats in the engine dropped causing the engine to lose compression after less than 70K miles. Noticed loss of power, took it in and had to pay over $2K in repairs even though it was still under warranty. The valve seats were replaced. The problem was fixed but a few months later while merging to freeway speeds the car stalled and would not re-start. Towed it in to find that the engine had jumped timing and bent all six crank arms. Again, repairs were made. Top end of the engine was replaced including the cranks. This is ridiculous for a truck with less than $70K miles on. I feel the original repair costs upwards of $2,000 should have been covered under the warranty as it was an internal engine issue and been reimbursed. Also a new engine should be installed or vehicle traded as this engine is obviously defective. All the meanwhile the main reason for taking the vehicle in for repairs three times prior was to fix the huge thump and delay on acceleration that almost caused me to get in an accident! the dealer said this was normal for 4WD trucks and there was nothing wrong with it. Yet every 4WD I've driven, even ones with over 100K miles on them, accelerate smoothly with no thumping or delay in acceleration. Nearing the expiration on my warranty due to mileage, I feel the dealership was trying to push the actual repairs off until then. They even said that the cause of the thump was that the transmission mounts were loose. So they "repaired" that but it had no effect and the issue still remains. This is where I stand currently and am trying to get the truck back in the shop, once again, to have this issue fixed so that I do not actually get in an accident. And to add to that, there is once again a loss in power, so we'll find out if the valve seats have once again dropped...

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #2

Apr 102006

Ranger 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,522 miles
Severe water leak in roof and rear window exact location not determined yet. Owner noticed water dripping on drivers seat. Under heavy rain conditions the cab will fill up with water -all over the floor, carpets, mats, etc. Water has caused damage to interior and upholstery. I took the truck to Ford''s service department and they refused to look at the vehicle as well as repair the leak and damage to interior. They told me leaks are common and they will do nothing about it. Second defect: Automatic transmissions does not shift correctly will even get hung up in a gear; causes heavy vibration upon braking. Some steering and suspension components have been recently replaced by owners expense.

- Pembroke Pines , FL, USA

problem #1

May 232003

Ranger

  • miles
Automatic transmission failed, causing vehicle to stall and jump forward.

- Acushnet, MA, USA

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