How to decode a 2003 Ford Ranger VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Ford Ranger VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences that identify the manufacturer of a vehicle worldwide. These codes provide essential information about the vehicle, such as the manufacturing country, the manufacturer name, and the vehicle type. For instance, Ford Rangers produced in 2003 have a specific WMI indicating they were manufactured by Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, USA. This WMI highlights the vehicle as a truck, offering insights into its category and origin. Understanding a vehicle’s WMI is crucial for identification, registration, and historical research purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Ford Ranger

WMI: 1FT

Model Years Covered: 1983-2011, 2019-2024
Example VIN: 1FTYR14V03PA05814
Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
Vehicle Type: Truck
City: Dearborn
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2003 Ford Ranger VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

Engine type
Transmission
Model or trim
Body style
Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 2003 Ford Ranger:

Known VDS for a 2003 Ford Ranger
YR14V	YR44V	YR45E	ZR11E	YR10E	ZR15E	YR10U	YR14E	YR10D	ZR14V
YR14U	ZR44E	ZR11U	ZR14U	YR44U	ZR45E	YR11U	YR44E	ZR44V	YR15E
ZR44U

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 2003 Ford Ranger VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 2003 Ford Ranger VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
3	2003

11th Character in the 2003 Ford Ranger VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2003 Ford Ranger Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
P	St. Paul	Minnesota	United States	Twin Cities	1FTYR14V03PA05814
T	Edison	New Jersey	United States	Edison	1FTYR44V03TA04297

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Ford Ranger

The final 6 characters in a 2003 Ford Ranger’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Ford Ranger’s VIN below:

How to find a 2003 Ford Ranger’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2003 Ford Ranger is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of the 2003 Ford Ranger, where it meets the windshield. The VIN is frequently visible from outside the vehicle on a metal plate attached to the dashboard.
Look at the driver’s side door frame of your Ford Ranger for a sticker with vehicle information. The VIN is typically included on this label within the door jamb.
For the Ford Ranger, you may also check under the hood for a VIN plate located on the firewall of the vehicle or on other components like the engine block.
Check the frame of your Ford Ranger, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the chassis beneath the vehicle, near the front driver’s side wheel.
Inspect your 2003 Ford Ranger’s vehicle registration documents, insurance papers, or the title, as these will list the vehicle’s VIN.
If all else fails, consult the owner’s manual for the 2003 Ford Ranger, which may provide additional locations where the VIN can be found or offer a diagram indicating typical VIN placement.

What info can a 2003 Ford Ranger VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2003, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Type and Doors: The vehicle is classified as a Pickup with a 4-door configuration, showcasing versatility in functionality and design.
Engine Details: It may include an engine with a V-shaped configuration and a displacement of 3.0 liters or 183.071 cubic inches, produced by Ford, indicating the power and performance capacity of the vehicle.
Fuel Efficiency and Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is Gasoline, with the option to support Ethanol (E85) as a secondary fuel, showcasing flexibility in fuel usage.
Safety Features: Safety features incorporate front airbags located in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger, indicating an essential focus on frontal impact protection.
Drive Type and Vehicle Type: It’s identified as a truck with a 4x2 drive type, denoting the drivetrain system and the vehicle’s intended utility and performance characteristics.
Plant Manufacturing Information: The vehicle was assembled in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States by the Twin Cities Plant Company, providing insights into the vehicle’s origin and manufacturing quality.

Don’t have your 2003 Ford Ranger’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 Ford Ranger

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Pickup
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Cab Type	Extra/Super/Quad/Double/King/Extended
Displacement (CC)	3000.0
Displacement (CI)	183.07123228419
Displacement (L)	3.0
Doors	2
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Brake (hp) From	154
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	Ford
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Fuel Type - Secondary	Ethanol (E85)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Model	Ranger
Model Year	2003
Other Engine Info	EFI-FFV
Plant City	Edison
Plant Company Name	Edison
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	New Jersey
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Vehicle Descriptor	1FTZR14V*3T
Vehicle Type	Truck
Sample_VIN	1FTZR14V63TA28803