KnownCarProblems2003 Ford F-150 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 423 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford F-150, most often about the engine (23% of complaints, typically around 100,000 miles). It is 21st of 27 F-150 model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2003 Ford F-150 problems
Engine
97 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
While driving home from work my wife had a spark plug blow out of the engine, fortunately the 2003 Ford f150 supercrew pickup truck didn't catch on fire, I drove the vehicle another 15 miles to the mechanic not knowing what is wrong , I thought the it was just a bad exhaust leak but I found out the next morning the…
Normal driving when the spark plug blew out of the motor leaving me and my kids stranded still trying to correct problem this is the second time repair bill approximately $3000.
Transmission
62 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, transfer case (4-wheel drive), axle assembly.
When making slow turns in my 2003 Ford F-150 supercrew (only 42,000 miles on the truck), the truck has a vibration. Went to a Ford service technician, and they could not diagnose the problem, they suggested to re-pack the clutch packs, which was done. Vibration still occuring 1 week later. According to other's who…
The wheel drive quits working while travling down the road. It also will not lock in when sitting. The light on the dash indicates that the hubs are locked in but its not working. I currently have it a the Ford dealer getting it fixed and it is not under warrenty. The dealership confirmed there is a probklem with this…
Electrical
47 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, instrument cluster/panel.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150. The contact stated that all of the interior lights would continue to illuminate even when the vehicle was shut off. The failure began to recur intermittently. The contact also stated the vehicle would also intermittently stall while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was towed to…
The fuse # 29 in the inside cab fuse box has blown twice. The first time is unknown the second time within 10 days of replacing the second fuse. This fuse controls the transmission overdrive, the auto-lamp and belt minder functions of the truck. I have seen on other web pages the same problem we are experiencing.
Fuel system
46 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 114,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, fuel injection system, delivery.
I looked under my 2003 Ford f150 and saw something hanging down. It turns out that one of my gas tank straps broke. I see by looking on the internet that this is a common problem . I have ordered a new set from advanced auto parts and I should have them on tomorrow.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked in a residential garage when it was noticed that there was a substantial gasoline fuel leak. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the fuel tank was replaced due to excessive corrosion near the passenger's side fuel…
Wheels and tires
34 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, sidewall, hubcap/cover.
Tread came off, total failure, explosive consequences: two fender braces ripped off, the right rear fender damaged substantially, and the right rear taillight smashed from the tire tread hitting the inside if the fender well. Another tire just afterwards had to be replaced when because it was making a ...rump-rump…
Very bad tread wear on front outside edge. Looked like alignment problem since tires still have 80% of tread. Tech at alignment shop said the alignment was ok and showed me where the tread had started to separate from the casing. Tech advised to replace tires very soon. Tire size not on recall list so it looks like I…
Speed control
32 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cables.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150. While driving 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal locked and the vehicle accelerated to 65 MPH. The contact applied the brakes, but the vehicle continued to accelerate. The contact injured her right foot in an attempt to release the locked accelerator pedal. The pedal unlocked itself after…
The contact owns a 2003 Ford f150 pickup. The contact stated the vehicle was parked with the engine off when it caught on fire. The contact had parked the vehicle five minutes prior to the failure. The fire department was called to assist and advised that the fire originated from the cruise control mechanism. A fire…
Body and structure
32 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 74,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
2003 Ford F-150 lariat supercab it was raining, I got in the truck, water was dripping inside through the center area in the ceiling where the compass is. There are wires up there, so water is not good. I climbed up and looked at the roof outside, and discovered rust on every one of the channels on the roof, one…
Purchased vehicle in7/2003. Rear small door (so called "suicide door") on passenger side broke in 11/2012. Would not open or close from inside or outside. Had two latches replaced at walker Ford in clearwater, fl also in 11/2012 at a cost of $615.59. Same door broke again in 9/2015. Took truck back to walker Ford .…
Air bags
29 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact crashed into the front passenger side of another vehicle. The vehicle was completely destroyed and none of the air bags deployed. Two people were injured and a police report was filed. Prior to the crash, he never noticed any air bag…
I purchased this vehicle for my son 3 years ago. On monday evening, june 17th, he was going around a curve, at approximately 35 MPH when both air bags deployed for no reason. The vehicle has never been wrecked and there is no damage, or no reason for this to have happened. I contacted Ford motor company and was told…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Ford F-150 recalls
Fuel system: mounting
Risk: As a result of the corrosion, one or both straps may fail allowing the fuel lines to separate from the tank, or in some cases, causing the tank to contact the ground. Either scenario may result in a fuel leak presenting a fire hazard.
Fix: Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a ford or lincoln dealer to have the fuel tank straps replaced with straps that have increased corrosion protection. Early in this campaign, if replacement straps are not available, dealers may install a cable support under the strap as an interim repair or a steel reinforcement over the existing strap as a permanent repair. Any repairs will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on september 16, 2011. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign num
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain 1997 through 2003 model year ford f-150, 2004 model year ford f-150 heritage, 1997 through 1999 model year f-250 less than 8,500 lbs. Gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr), and 2002 and 2003 lincoln blackwood vehicles manufactured from june 20, 1995, through august 4, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. Prolonged exposure to road deicing chemicals may cause severe corrosion of the fuel tank straps which secure the tank to the vehicle.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: This could result in an underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Full defect summary
On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: Overheating could result in smoke, burn, or an underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on march 12, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. (note: also see recalls 05v017, 05v388, and 06v286)
Full defect summary
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
Steering: shaft pitman
Risk: If the pitman arm to gearbox attachment nut loosens, a noise and a loose feel in the steering could occur. If the condition progressed and service was not sought, the nut could back off completely and the pitman arm could separate from the gear causing a loss of steering. If the warning is not heeded and steering is lost, a crash may result.
Fix: Dealers will tighten the pitman arm retaining nut to specifications. Owner notification began on october 1, 2003. Owners should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
On certain pickup trucks, the pitman arm to steering gear retaining nut was not fully tightened to the required specification.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fuel tank strap failure due to corrosion
Summary
One or both of the steel straps holding up the fuel tank and attaching it to the truck frame can corrode and fail (break or separate).if one strap fails, the tank may tilt and drop and possibly contact the road surface.if both straps break, the entire tank may drop to the road.if either failure occurs while the vehicle is being driven, contact with the road can abrade the tank and create a hole from which gasoline can spill.when the tank drops, it remains attached to the vehicle only by the fuel filler hose and/or supply lines, or in rare instances, by the skid plate, if present.in some cases the weight of the tank sufficiently strained the hoses and fittings and caused separation and subseq
Cng regulator leak
Summary
The agency has closed this investigation based on its review of complaint reports, discussions with complainants and field and technical data provided by ford.the subject vehicles are 1/2 ton pickup trucks and are natural gas vehicles (ngv) that are fueled by gasoline or compressed natural gas.the agency has received reports alleging improper operation of the natural gas fuel pressure regulator allowing release of excess amounts of natural gas into the engine compartment.ford reports that the regulator contains an over pressure relief valve that will vent natural gas should the pressure exceed a set threshold.the complaint reports and data reviewed by the agency indicate that an improperly o
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
Summary
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehi
Questions about the 2003 Ford F-150
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford F-150?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (97 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); transmission (62 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles); electrical (47 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Ford F-150 have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 29, 2011 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Ford F-150?
- It is 21st of 27 F-150 model years by number of complaints, with 423 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.