2003 Ford F-350 SD: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 132 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (35% 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 132 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While preparing for a camping trip this pass summer, I went to check the oil level. When I went to remove the oil dipstick, the dipstick tube broke, due to corrosion. This is the first time in my 25 years of owning a vehicle for that to happen. It would be alright, but in order to replace the tube, it is required to remove the exhaust manifold to properly replace it. In turn it cost more money to replace a product that should not break. I was fueling my truck and wanted to check all my fluids.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2018
“Tire failure. Destroyed my outer fender on 2003 f350 dually damaged included, outer fender, inner fender, damage to the bed of the truck, and damage to the support brackets. Bought this truck used about a month ago. Not sure when the tires were purchased. Mileage on tires is an assumption”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2016
“Bought truck in 2009 . ABS light is on wanted to find out if there was a recall on hubs and if so would like to find out if truck was serviced , and if not how would I proceed to do recall . Thank you *tr”Owner report · Wheels · May 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-350 sd. While parked, the contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that both rear brake lights were inoperable. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 11v352000 (exterior lighting:brake lights) and contacted the manufacturer. The manufacturer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall campaign. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-350 sd. The contact would shift the vehicle into park, but instead the vehicle would shift into reverse. The contact stated that the gear shift would read properly, but perform in inaccurately. The manufacturer nor dealer were notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-350 sd. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall sporadically without warning. In addition, the vehicle would hesitate when attempting to start. The dealer diagnosed that the injection control pressure module would need replacing. The manufacturer advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 05v270000 (electrical system:wiring) recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 60,200.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2011
“I had several breakdowns with my truck and had to have it towed twice. The first place it was towed to could not find the problem then after several more instances I had it towed to the dealership where I purchased the vehicle and they new the problem right away. The fuel tank delaminated and I waited two months for one because they were in production at a cost of $2000.00 to be repaired. This seems to be a wide spread problem with these trucks and it should be warrantied. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · May 2011
“My 2003 f350 has all of the death wobble issues, driving at 55 or 70 on the highway the front end will just go into a crazy wobble in which I have to slow down to try and fix. Sometimes when I use the brake pedal it will also go into the same event. I've read all these issues on the net and cannot understand that if its such a huge problem why is it not being addressed. Will it take one of these vehicles killing a family member of the people at ford to get this under control or maybe they just don't care as long as they are making money. To the family members of the ford people and everyone else I pray for you. I do not know what to do for my truck to fix it. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2011
“Spark plug ejection from 2003 ford f-350 super duty engine: triton 5.4l v8 date of failure: 03-10-11 mileage of truck: 139414 this incident happened while traveling on a state hwy51 near postville, ia ejection of spark plug from number 7 cylinder on 5.4l v8 engine. Damage to cylinder head of engine and spark plug coil. This is a well maintained 2003 f-350, spark plugs replaced at a ford dealer 01-19-09: 109156 miles. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2011
“I called ford motor company on my 2003 ford f350 sd. Sc. 4x4 5.4 eng. With the problem with both exhaust manifolds rotting away & the studs & nuts rotting , they told me we won't fix the problem for free . I would like for your help to make ford motor company fix this problems for free because I talked to many ford dealers they are replacing this same problems on all 5.4 eng. On ford trucks and have to charge for these problems . Please investagate this problems before all these trucks will catch on fire and people will be injury or fatality will happen . Please help me and many people can get these problems fix for free from ford motor company thanks. *js”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 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)
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-350 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-350 SD reliable?
NHTSA has 132 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Ford F-350 SD. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Ford F-350 SD problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 50,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Ford F-350 SD have open recalls?
5 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.