2003 Ford F-250 SD: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 178 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (34% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 178 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-250 sd. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the fuel tank was hanging down. The contact looked underneath the vehicle and saw that the fuel tank strap was fractured and the fuel gauge was damaged. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 49,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2019
“I have american eagle - 20 " eagle alloy wheels. They are approximately 24 months old. This summer a spoke cracked all the way through on one wheel. The dealer would not warranty it and I had to purchase a replacement. This week I noticed another of the wheels cracked all the way through. I have not hit any major pot holes, curbs or anything else. My truck is not a work truck or used for mudding or off road, it is a pavement princess driven back and forth to work. I am worried there is a manufacturer defect and that the wheels are not safe.”Owner report · Wheels · Dec 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-250 super duty. While attempting to use the cruise control, the vehicle speed function would not work. The contact stated that the switch became hot and failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09v399000 (vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was 85,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“5.4 liter motor blows spark plugs out of the engine, because some moron at ford designed an engine with 2 or 3 threads per plug port on aluminum heads. Ford is paying a class-action lawsuit for model years 2004 - 2008, but mine is a 2003. Thanks for the screw-job, ford.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2015
“2003 ford f-250. Consumer writes in regards to speed control deactivation switch fire. *smd the consumer stated the vehicle would occasionally stall and re-start, due to vehicle momentum, but it stalled coming to a low rpm idle, or stop. When it stalled, it gave no code warnings or dash light indicator. He reset the ignition key and re-started the vehicle. The local ford dealer could not find a problem. After the recall was performed, the consumer did not experience any more problems. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-250 equipped with bf goodrich ultra all range tires, line size: p235/85/r16. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the rear passenger side tire blew out. The contact mentioned that after inspecting all the tires, he noticed that the tire tread was wearing prematurely and had started separating. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The tires were not replaced. The tire failure mileage was 85,151. The vehicle current mileage was 86,000. Updated 03/17/15*lj updated 08/25/2017*ct”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2014
“1 of the tank straps busted off and the tank began sagging and almost touching the ground, thus causing a severe fire hazard.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2014
“I was traveling on the highway during five o clock traffic at a speed of approximately 40 mph when suddenly the vehicles in front of me began crashing into each other. I pressed my foot on the brake pedal to stop and suddenly the pedal went straight to the floor and I smashed into the back of the car in front of me. Today the auto shop handling the repairs called me in to look at what happened. The master cylinder broke completely free from the booster. The metal brackets broke in half and separated causing the lose of brakes and the accident. I have photos of the master cylinder blown away from the booster. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-250 sd. The contact stated that while performing an oil change, he noticed that the frame was rusted severely.the contact performed a thorough inspection of the vehicle and also discovered that the fuel tank straps were severely rusted. The front strap was completely detached from the vehicle and the second strap was partially hanging from the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and advised him that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 11v385000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 125,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f250 sd. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the clutch failed. Upon further inspection the contact noticed that the plastic bushing had failed and the rod was detached from the clutch. The contact went to the dealer, purchased a new bushing and repaired the vehicle himself. The recent failure was the second clutch failure on the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileages were 58,000. Updated 10/24/12 *cn updated 11/9/2012 *js”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Remedy: 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)
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-250 SD by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Ford F-250 SD reliable?
NHTSA has 178 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Ford F-250 SD. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Ford F-250 SD problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 54,500 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Ford F-250 SD have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.