Ford Hot Pepper Red Paint Code EA and Color Matching Guide 2026
The Ford Hot Pepper Red paint code is EA, and its paint manufacturer reference is M7403. Ford’s full color name is Hot Pepper Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat. These identifiers help you request the correct factory-color repair paint.
Check the EXT PNT field on your Ford’s driver-side certification label before ordering anything. The color name alone is not enough, especially when several Ford reds look similar. Here are the verified references and matching steps.
Ford Factory Paint Reference
Hot Pepper Red
Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
Documented Ford Model-Year Examples
These are documented examples, not a complete model-year or trim availability list.
| Ford Model | Documented Years | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bronco | 2022–2024 | Deleted for 2025 |
| Ranger | 2019 and 2024 | Examples only; verify year and trim |
| Maverick | 2022–2024 | Deleted for 2025 |
Verify Before Ordering Touch-Up Paint
Color swatch is illustrative, not a calibrated paint match. Factory-label information identifies the original finish; refinished panels may differ.
What Is the Ford Hot Pepper Red Paint Code
Ford identifies Hot Pepper Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat with the two-character code EA. Paint databases also associate this finish with M7403, a longer manufacturer reference. Both identify the same color.
| Reference | Hot Pepper Red Information |
|---|---|
| Ford exterior paint code | EA |
| Color name | Hot Pepper Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat |
| Manufacturer paint reference | M7403 |
| Motorcraft lacquer touch-up part | PMPC-19500-7403A |
| Finish description | Metallic tinted clearcoat |
The Motorcraft lacquer touch-up paint reference lists EA as Hot Pepper Red TC and associates it with part number PMPC-19500-7403A. Check stock with your supplier.
A paint shop may ask for EA, M7403, your model year, or VIN. If you’re checking an unfamiliar Ford color, the broader Ford paint code chart provides context for other factory finishes.
Which Ford Models and Years Used EA Paint
Ford offered Hot Pepper Red on multiple trucks and SUVs, but availability changed by model, year, and sometimes trim. The table below lists documented examples rather than claiming every production year or trim used the color.
| Ford Model | Documented EA Availability | Important Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Bronco | 2022–2024 | Deleted from the 2025 Bronco paint lineup |
| Ranger | 2019 and 2024 examples | Check the exact model year and trim |
| Maverick | 2022–2024 | Not carried into the 2025 model-year lineup |
Ford Bronco Model Years
Hot Pepper Red was a factory color on the modern Bronco during the 2022–2024 model years. It was not part of the Bronco’s original 2021 launch color selection. Ford’s 2025 Bronco order guide explicitly names Hot Pepper Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat (EA) among deleted exterior paints.
A 2025 Bronco advertised in Hot Pepper Red may be wrapped, repainted, or incorrectly listed. Check its label.
Ford Ranger Model Years
Hot Pepper Red appeared on the revived US Ranger in 2019. It was also offered on the 2024 Ranger; Ford’s 2024 Ranger color selector includes Hot Pepper Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat.
Do not assume every Ranger year or trim offered EA. Verify the specific truck.
Ford Maverick Model Years
Hot Pepper Red was offered on the Maverick from 2022 through 2024. Ford’s 2022 Maverick brochure shows the finish as an extra-charge exterior color. The 2022 US order information lists EA on XLT and Lariat, not the regular XL color selection.
The color remained through 2024 but was dropped for 2025. See the Ford Maverick paint code chart. Your truck’s label is decisive.
How to Find EA on the Ford Door Label
Check your Ford’s Vehicle Certification Label in the driver’s door opening. Look for EXT PNT (exterior paint). For original Hot Pepper Red, it should read EA.
- Open the driver’s door. Inspect the door edge and the body pillar around the latch area for the manufacturer’s certification sticker.
- Find the EXT PNT field. Do not confuse the paint code with the VIN, axle code, or other nearby letters and numbers.
- Read the characters exactly. If the code is EA, use Hot Pepper Red when checking an OEM touch-up reference or professional paint formula.
If the label is unreadable, ask a Ford parts department to confirm the original color.
The label tells you the original factory finish, not necessarily what is on the body today. A previously repainted panel may require a physical color match even when the label says EA. For more label examples, follow the dedicated guide on where to find your Ford paint code.
What Makes Hot Pepper Red a Tinted Clearcoat
Hot Pepper Red is not simply a flat, solid red. Ford describes it as metallic tinted clearcoat, which helps explain why it can appear brighter and more orange in direct sun but deeper red in shade. Metallic particles, the tinted layer, and the surrounding lighting all influence the impression of the color.
Online swatches are unreliable matching tools because screens render color differently.
Paint thickness, application, weathering, and nearby panels affect the result. A painter may need test panels and blending.
Touch-up may suit a minor chip; larger panels often need professional matching.
How EA Differs From Other Ford Red Codes
Ford has used several reds with overlapping descriptions. EA is not interchangeable with D4, PQ, or RR, even if two vehicles look similar in a photograph.
| Ford Color | Paint Code | How It Differs |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Pepper Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat | EA | The finish covered in this guide |
| Rapid Red / Lucid Red Tinted Clearcoat | D4 | A separate Ford red formula |
| Race Red | PQ | A different factory red |
| Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat | RR | Another distinct tinted-clearcoat finish |
Rapid Red and Hot Pepper Red can look similar in photographs. Choose by paint code, not a screen image.
If you’re comparing two listings or repairing a differently colored panel, consult the separate Ford Rapid Red paint code D4 guide for that finish’s model-year details. Keep EA-specific ordering and matching information here.
How to Match Hot Pepper Red Touch Up Paint
For touch-up paint, the right code is the starting point, not the entire matching process. Follow these checks before purchasing a pen, brush bottle, aerosol, or mixed professional refinish material.
Confirm the Original EA Code
Read the vehicle’s EXT PNT field. If it does not say EA, stop and identify the printed code before ordering Hot Pepper Red. Do not override the label because a seller’s product picture seems close.
Give the Supplier Both Paint References
Tell the supplier EA, M7403, and your Ford’s model year. You can also mention Motorcraft part PMPC-19500-7403A when asking about the compatible lacquer touch-up option. Check compatibility and availability before ordering.
Choose the Repair Method by Damage Size
A brush-tip repair can suit a small chip. Larger damage may need proper surface preparation and blending.
Confirm whether the chosen product requires separate base, tinted, and clear layers, and follow that product’s instructions. Do not assume a generic red touch-up pen recreates a factory tinted-clearcoat finish on its own.
Check the Match Before a Visible Repair
Inspect a test sample in daylight and shade if the product allows it. Compare it with a cleaned area near the damage, not a computer-generated swatch. Mention any fading or earlier bodywork.
Even a correct EA formula cannot guarantee an invisible repair.
What to Check Before Ordering Ford EA Paint
Check these five details before buying repair paint.
- Factory code: Confirm that EXT PNT reads EA, or obtain equivalent original-vehicle information if the label is damaged.
- Model and year: Record the exact Ford model and production year. A color appearing on one Ranger or Bronco year does not prove it was offered on every year.
- Paint reference: Ask the supplier to match EA/M7403, not just the words Hot Pepper Red.
- Product system: Confirm that the selected touch-up or refinish materials are appropriate for the repair size and the manufacturer’s application instructions.
- Existing finish: Inspect for fading, oxidation, previous bodywork, or mismatched panels. These can require a custom match rather than a straight formula application.
If a seller lists a conflicting code, request verification. For major repairs, seek a body shop assessment.
How to Confirm the Right Ford Paint Code
The Ford Hot Pepper Red paint code is EA, with the manufacturer reference M7403. Motorcraft also lists PMPC-19500-7403A as a lacquer touch-up service part for Hot Pepper Red TC. Those identifiers give you a reliable starting point for finding the right product.
Model-year records help, but the certification label remains the best starting point. Repainted panels may differ.
Before ordering paint, read EXT PNT, confirm EA with the supplier, and decide whether the damaged area needs a basic chip repair or professional matching. That sequence is more dependable than choosing a red paint sample by eye.
5 Questions About Ford Hot Pepper Red Paint Codes
What Is the Paint Code for Ford Hot Pepper Red
EA is the Ford Hot Pepper Red paint code. The associated manufacturer reference is M7403, while Motorcraft lists PMPC-19500-7403A for its lacquer touch-up product. Check your vehicle’s EXT PNT label to verify that Hot Pepper Red was its original factory finish.
Is Ford Hot Pepper Red the Same as Rapid Red
No. Hot Pepper Red uses code EA, while Rapid Red uses D4. Both can look richly colored in certain lighting, but they are separate paint references. Ordering D4 for an EA-painted panel is not a reliable way to achieve a match.
Which Ford Models Came in Hot Pepper Red
Documented examples include the Bronco, Ranger, and Maverick. Availability varies by model year, with Hot Pepper Red removed from the 2025 Bronco and Maverick lineups. Confirm the actual vehicle code before relying on an online year or trim list.
Where Can I Find the EA Paint Code on My Ford
Look on the Vehicle Certification Label in the driver’s door opening and find the EXT PNT field. An original Hot Pepper Red vehicle should display EA there. If the sticker is missing or illegible, ask a Ford parts department to confirm the original paint information.
Can EA Touch Up Paint Match a Faded Ford
It may be close, but the factory code does not guarantee an invisible repair on aged paint. Sun exposure, prior refinishing, and application technique affect the appearance of the result. Ask a body shop about spray-out testing or blending when repairing a large or prominent area.
