2003 Ford F-250: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 116 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (19% 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 116 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Truck had no check engine light then caught on fire going down the road and burned to ground within seconds Incident report 46-24-05039 08_30-74 US-30 - PA 74 30 W”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2024
“Speed control sensor allows brake fluid leak through the plug connector and run down the wiring harness, allowing brake fluid to splash on the exhaust manifold and cause a fire.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2024
“The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-250. The contact stated that both turn signals and the windshield wipers would intermittently fail to operate as needed. Over time, the failure worsened and the components failed to operate. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“Fuel tank straps corrode causing fuel tank to fall off A recall was issued for other similar ford trucks, but this model was not included”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2022
“When the truck accelerates and reaches about 40-5mph the truck begins to wobble sideways. This wobbling sensation shakes the steering wheel violently and as the speed increases so does the shake. I have not had the truck over 65mph as it becomes unmanageable and is very hard to keep in its lane. The tyres are wearing funny as a result. All 4 wheels are wearing a band around both the inside and outside of the tyres.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2022
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-250. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle began to stall without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to penske ford (located at 8970 la mesa blvd, la mesa, ca 91942, (619) 464-7777), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 72,000.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-250. While driving 3 mph, the contact heard a dragging noise. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and noticed that the fuel tank was leaning to the ground. In addition, the contact noticed that the fuel tank straps were rusted. The contact called oliver ford-lincoln (1001 e jefferson st, plymouth, in 46563, (800) 448-8292) and was informed that the failure was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2018
“The check engine light came on and we pulled over then when I put the truck into drive to pull out it barely moved. We were almost hit bc the truck wouldn't move so I put in in reverse to get out of the road and it did fine. So I tried to pull out again n drive and again it wouldn't go no matter how much gas I gave it. It sounds like something is drownding out or it isn't getting gas. But like I said. It won't go forward in drive or 1st or 2nd. Only in reverse will it move normally. This is major!!! I can't have my kids at risk bc there's something wrong with the truck. I have only had the truck about 3 weeks so it's very frustrating.”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-250. The contact stated that there was rust associated with the fuel straps, which fractured and caused the fuel tank to hang. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in the manufacturer recall campaign number: 11s21, although the failure was identical. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-250 equipped with federal couragia a/t tires, size 285/75/r16 (na). The contact stated that the tires were wearing out faster than normal. The dealer was not contacted. The tire manufacturer was notified, but did not return the contact's call. The VIN and dot number were unknown. The vehicle failure mileage was 158,000 and the tire failure mileage was 6,000.”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE 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: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMPS, P/NOS. FR208-B101R, FR208-B101L, FR208-B001R, AND FR208-B001L, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: SABRY LEE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER FULL CREDIT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLAMP. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JUNE 14, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABRY LEE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT 1-866-467-2279.
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.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES, THE ENGINE GROUND STUD THAT ATTACHES THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL EYELET TO THE ENGINE BLOCK MAY BE LOOSE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE GROUND STUD AND THE RADIO SUPPRESSION STRAP AND ADJACENT COMPONENTS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND REPLACED, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-250 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 reliable?
NHTSA has 116 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Ford F-250. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Ford F-250 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 78,900 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Ford F-250 have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. 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.