The 2003 Ford Ranger is not a comfortable daily-driver or a roomy family vehicle. It’s a tight fit, entertainment options are limited, and the interior material feels cheap. But, for the price, it’s probably the most capable, versatile, and reliable work truck available right now.
Is the 2003 Ford Ranger a Good Used Truck?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – If you’re looking for a comfy, spacious truck with all the amenities, this isn’t it. But it is one of the best work trucks ever made.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Call it a 6 for comfort and an 8 for cargo space. The bed options are spacious enough, the cab options not so much.
- Reliability 8/10 – One of the most reliable used trucks out there today, thanks in part to its appeal to drivers who are devoted to careful maintenance.
- Safety 7/10 – The 2003 Ranger was the safest compact truck on the market on release, but that was a long time ago. Twenty years later the safety features are outdated and crash test ratings are underwhelming.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – At 24/29 miles to the gallon, city/highway, the Ranger sips fuel more like a compact car than a pickup.
- Value 9/10 – There are cheaper used trucks out there, but not if we’re talking pennies per mile. If you find one with 150,000 miles on the odometer, you might just double that number before the transmission gives out.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2003 Ford Ranger?
- Consumer Reports found the 2003 Ford Ranger to be stiff, rough, noisy, inefficient, uncomfortable, and ungainly. They didn’t have much positive to say about the truck.
- Kelley Blue Book users have generally been much more positive, giving the truck a 4.4 star rating overall. Drivers like that the truck is reliable, fuel efficient, but some owners admit that the interior could be a bit more roomy.
- Edmunds splits it down the middle: the 4.0L V6 engines are actually pretty powerful, the body is well-designed and sharp-looking. But the cabin’s a bit tight, the design is outdated, and Ford’s decision not to offer a V8 is a bit of a head-scratcher.
What Common Problems Does the 2003 Ford Ranger Have?
After twenty years on the road, the 2003 Ford Ranger has just 239 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, well below average. Structure takes the lead here with 41 complaints, many of these having to do with suspension and steering systems having rusted through over the years.
Vehicle speed control takes second place with 40 reports. One driver reports that their car actually speeds up when they apply the brakes, and another states that their truck accelerated into a wall while trying to reverse. Among the most common complaints is that the cruise control can be unpredictable.
There are only 15 powertrain complaints on file, with the most recent reporting a knocking sound coming from under the hood. Once the transmission starts to go, the first sign is usually difficulty shifting gears.
With only 5 recalls on file with the NHTSA, the 2003 Ford Ranger may leave the handyman driver with a lot of time on his hands.
How Long Will the 2003 Ford Ranger Last?
For an older Ford Ranger, 2007 and earlier, RepairPal estimate an annual repair bill of $485. The most expensive common repair is likely to be a new control arm starting at $422.
A Ford Ranger is very likely to go the distance at 300,000 miles on the original powertrain. It always depends on the previous owner, of course, but the Ranger tends to attract a particular type of driver, someone who’s fastidious about oil and transmission fluid changes. The hard part is getting someone to sell a 2003 Ranger that’s still in great shape.
It's reliable but does rust easily ! Runs great hasn't broke down yet and we have had it for 4 years .
Reliable except brakes are costly and had to replace suspension rod in front end. Regular maintenance is minimal.
I've only had one or two problems, a spark plug came loose one time and the air vent whistles but other than that it’s great
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology ranges from basic to luxurious. Lower trim levels come packed with four speakers and a tape player. A Tremor Plus comes with a custom Pioneer sound system and a ten inch subwoofer.
Safety tech likewise ranges from skimpy to robust, but it’s all pretty outdated by modern standards. Securilock anti-theft, anti-lock brakes and full airbags were “the works” in 2003, but that’s not winning any awards these days.
Is the 2003 Ford Ranger a Good Value?
The 2003 Ford Ranger is an excellent value. An entry-level XL starts at around $3,400 at the low end of the fair market range, while a top-tier Edge Plus can go up to $5,841. Those prices might sound a bit high for a twenty year old pickup, but consider the life expectancy.
These prices come from models with under 150,000 miles on the odometer, and with proper maintenance, you’re likely to double that number. You could go down to the dealership today with $40,000 in cash and you might not get 150,000 miles out of your purchase, so the 2003 Ranger delivers incredible bang-for-buck.
What are the Different Models of the 2003 Ford Ranger?
The 2003 Ford Ranger comes in four base trims, from the entry-level XL to the top-class Tremor.
The list starts with the XL, featuring:
- Vinyl seat trim AM/FM stereo
- Black vinyl flooring
- Solar tinted glass
- Platinum-painted front bumper and grille bars
The XLT is the next trim up, adding:
- Cloth seating
- 15 inch steel wheels
- CD player
The XLT Off-Road package adds a leather wrapped steering wheel and power windows and door locks, but the real attraction would be the Bilstein shock absorbers.
Next up is the Edge, adding:
- MP3 player
- Fog lamps
- Rear mud flaps
The Edge Plus package adds power windows and door locks, a six-disc CD player, and optional power mirrors.
The top-of-the-line Tremor adds:
- Pioneer sound system with 10 inch subwoofer
- Electronic ignition system
- Gas shock absorbers
What Engines Come In the 2003 Ford Ranger?
- The base engine in the 2003 Ford Ranger is a 2.3L DOHC inline-four. This engine delivers 154 lb.-ft. of torque and 143 horsepower and is paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission and configured in rear wheel drive.
- Next up is a 3.0L SEFI FLEX V6, a flex fuel capable engine delivering 154 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft. of torque, paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission and configured in rear wheel drive.
- Available in four wheel drive XLT and Edge models is a 4.0L SEFI SOHC V6. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic and produces 207 horsepower and 238 lb.-ft. of torque.
What Colors Does the 2003 Ford Ranger Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2003 Ford Ranger?
The 2003 Ford Ranger is a tight fit with cheap interior material. It’s not the most comfortable truck on the market. It is decidedly a work truck designed to be simple, rugged, and easy to clean. Comfort clearly takes a backseat in the design of this truck.
Be that as it may, the suspension has held up well over the years and drivers generally report that the ride is smooth.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2003 Ford Ranger Have?
Being a compact pickup truck, the 2003 Ford Ranger doesn’t quite have the hauling capacity of an F-150, but it’s surprisingly capable. Flareside models come with a 72 inch long bed, while Stylesides are a little longer at 84 inches.
Payload capacity depends on your options, ranging from 1,274 pounds to 1,730 pounds. Towing capacity starts at 2,240 pounds in the 2.3L, the 3.0L can tow up to 4,100, and you can go up to 5,860 in the 4.0L.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2003 Ford Ranger was part of the 3rd Generation for the truck, running from the 1998 model year to the 2011 edition.
1998: The third-gen Ranger was marked by major upgrades to the chassis, suspension, and drivetrain, while leaving the exterior aesthetics largely untouched.
1999: Four door SuperCab models were added for 1999.
2000: Ford redesigned the wheels on every model Ranger.
2001: The Edge model was introduced to appeal to sport-truck enthusiasts.
2002: MP3 players and SecuriLock are new for this model year.
2003: Standard step bars were added to certain trim levels, and the XLT got a new vanity mirror.
2004: The suspension system got an overhaul in 2004 with new bushing, springs, and shocks.
2005: Ford discontinued the Flareside bed while adding new tire and wheel packages.
2006: The Edge was rebranded the Ranger Sport, and the whole lineup received some styling changes with new grille inserts, fender flares, headlights and badges.
2007: Safety features like SecuriLock and tire pressure monitoring were made standard for 2007.
2008: The front bumper received an aerodynamic redesign.
2009: Ford dropped the 4×4 regular cab and the 3.0L V6 engine in 2009.
2010: No major changes for 2010, but under-the-hood tweaks managed to eke out an extra mile to the gallon.
2011: Nothing new except mandatory safety upgrades like side airbags. Ford would retire the nameplate until the 4th Generation launch with the 2019 model year.
How Does the 2003 Ford Ranger Compare to the Competition?
Comparing the 2003 Ranger to the 2003 Chevrolet S-10, performance stats are comparable, the same goes for fuel economy, and both trucks tend to get mediocre reviews for interior comfort. The key differences come down to price, with the S-10 running about a thousand bucks cheaper, and reliability, with the Ranger lasting about 50,000 miles longer on average.
As a mid-size truck, the Dodge Dakota is a little tougher than the Ranger and the S-10, and a little roomier, and a little less fuel-efficient. But pricing is roughly the same, starting around $3,575 to the Ranger’s $3,400. If a compact truck is a little too small for you and a full-size is a little too big, the Dakota might be just right.
2003 was a pretty good year for smaller trucks, with at least three great options to choose from. Go with the Ranger if you want something that will last, the S-10 if you need something cheap right away, and the Dakota if you want a little more legroom.
Do Owners Recommend the 2003 Ford Ranger?
It's decent it runs good and is reliable but rusted out easily . We've had it for four years and have no issues yet .
Mostly except brake replacement is very costly along with front end work. Interior is in good shape for age.
Very good! Reliable and the gas bill is never really more than $50 for the whole tank. Can actually seat five people in the cab.
