2003 Dodge Ram 1500 vs 2003 Ford Ranger
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 | 2003 Ford Ranger |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 1,170 | 243 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 1 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 28 | 68 |
| Investigations | 3 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 76 | 37 |
| Fire reports | 12 | 11 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 13–16 | 15–23 |
| Median reported mileage | 70,000 mi | 60,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Dodge Ram 1500 | Ford Ranger |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 457 | 25 |
| Structure | 237 | 43 |
| Power Train | 125 | 16 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 62 | 29 |
| Suspension | 57 | 23 |
| Electrical System | 61 | 17 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 56 | 18 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 20 | 40 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 43 | 18 |
| Vibration / shaking | 41 | 10 |
| Rust / corrosion | 28 | 38 |
| Airbag warning light | 22 | 8 |
| Loss of power | 10 | 0 |
| Electrical failures | 10 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 9 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 6 | 0 |
2003 Dodge Ram 1500
2003 Ford Ranger
Compare all Dodge Ram 1500 vs Ford Ranger years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.