2003 Ford F-150 Problems

On 11/27/2022 at or around 4:30 P.M. my 2003 Ford F-150 burned almost completely, without any mechanical failures or warnings, thirty full minutes after being parked and then after only having been run for three to four miles. The fire department ended up putting it out before it was fully consumed.

TL* THE CONTACT'S BOYFRIEND OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE IGNITION COILS AND ALL SPARK PLUGS WOULD BLOW OUT INSIDE OF THE ENGINE WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS HAD THE IGNITION COILS AND SPARKS PLUGS REPLACED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS ALL BY INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT ALSO CALLED THREE SEPARATE DEALERS BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. SHE WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

I purchased this F150 in November, 2023. The only code shown was a lean code, P0171. I removed the bed first to begin my inspection. Upon removing the original fuel tank, I discovered a gash in the top of the tank,about 1/8" wide by 3" long. It should have set a code like a missing gas cap would, but there was none. The gash appeared to be several years old due to the rust pitting. I believe the gash was a result of the cross member rubbing against the tank. The previous owner did not mention the defect. Fuel would have spilled out if the tank was completely filled. I did not find any service alerts for this though they may exist. The truck currently has 225k miles.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V385000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

The engine continues to shoot out the spark plugs. This is continued to happen with different cylinders. I’ve had it at the mechanic most of the time I’ve owned it.

Our truck has been great but we have a major problem. It is leaking water when it rains. Getting front floor carpet wet and now it is getting the fuse box wet and causing electrical systems to not work. Like today the odometer won't light up. Also dripping from top of windshield. We are having the windshield and seal replaced on Thursday but the glass company says they can't guarantee m of seal will stop the Problem. He said the drain system was factory installed backwards and it's not draining properly.

UNKNOWN - however there were NO warning lights or any other indication of malfunction or to service the truck. I took the truck to an independent service center & they did a full inspection & I did receive an estimate for repairs.

Ford placed a decal on the rear differential that wraps all the way around the axle. This decal holds water and has caused any area touching the decal to rust excessively. Ford has told me that this will cause they rear differential fail. When this happens it will likely be when I'm driving with my wife and two young kids. The only way to know that this issue exists is to either get under the truck and remove the decal which causes and also covers the damage, or to have the axle give out while driving. This was recently discovered while working on the vehicle. I don't currently have pictures as the vehicle is in for other repairs, but I can get pictures once I get the vehicle back.

Well the passenger side in front seat seat belt needs replaced due to getting stuck after front airbags in dash and steering wheel after deployment from barley tapping a vehicle in front of the truck

GAS PEDAL IS STICKING. TRUCK SPEEDS UP, ONLY WAY TO STOP IS SHIFT TO NEUTRAL.HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY AND I SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND HIT PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES TO GET BACK TO IDLE

UNKNOWN - however there were NO warning lights or any other indication of malfunction or to service the truck. I took the truck to an independent service center & they did a full inspection & I did receive an estimate for repairs.

On the day of Monday February 20 2023 I was in my front driveway preforming some maintenance on my 2003 Ford F-150 Xlt SuperCrew truck a gear shift cable and a heater core replacement. Once I finished the repairs I ran my truck for a few minutes then shut it off and was headed inside when I noticed a flickering light coming from the passenger side of the vehicle I walked to the truck and opened the door and I saw small flames dripping down coming from the ( glove box area ) I then grabbed the water hose and put it out . Once the small fire was out I proceeded to go in the house when I noticed black smoke coming ( from the engine bay from the vents in front of the windshield) the smoke got thicker as I sprayed it with water I then called to my spouse to call the local Fire Department. The vehicle was a total loss nothing was left interior wise no ( steering wheel,no console,no dashboard or anything.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150 equipped with Firestone Tires, Tire Line: Firestone, Tire Size: 265/70/R17, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, there was a burning rubber odor coming from the outside of the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle to inspect the tires and became aware that the tread of the tires was loose. Neither the dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 277,144.

ONE GENERAL GRABBER STX, FROM WALMART, ON FRONT OF F150 BASE MODEL TRUCK SHREDDED ON HIGHWAY. FOLLOWING DAY THE OTHER FRONT TIRE OF SAME YEAR AND MODEL OF TIRE SHREDDED. THEY SHREDDED AT 49,189 MIES, 3YRS OF USE, STILL UNDER TIRE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. DOT: A30KHM580816 AND A30KHM581316. I SUSPECT THE MODEL OF TIRE CAN'T HANDLE THE LOAD OF THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK. WHEREAS THE EXACT SAME MODELS OF TIRES AND SAME DOT NUMBERS ON THE REAR ARE STILL RUNNING ON THE TRUCK WITH 2900 MILES MORE. THE SET OF THESE FOUR TIRES WERE ALL INSTALLED ON THE SAME DATE.

Well the passenger side in front seat seat belt needs replaced due to getting stuck after front airbags in dash and steering wheel after deployment from barley tapping a vehicle in front of the truck

ON NOVEMBER 01,2020 I WAS INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE ROLLOVER IN MY FORD F150 2003 WHICH THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND SEATBELT LOCKED I WAS ENTERTAINING INTERSECTION AND ALMOST THROUGH IT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN THE STOP LIGHT CAUSING ME TO ROLLOVER ONE IN HALF TIMES. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND SEAT ALMOST DETACHED FROM CAB.

NOTHING HAS REALLY HAPPENED BUT BOTH ANTI LOCK BRAKE WIRES KEEP RUBBING ON THE RIMS AND WHERING THROUGH I HAVE REPLACED BOTH SIDES TWICE

BRAKE PEDAL BECAME SPONGY AT FIRST BUT THEN WENT CLEAR TO THE FLOOR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. THE VEHICLE STOPS BUT WITH VERY LONG REACTION TIME. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW UNIT...BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. ABS UNIT WAS THEN REPLACED WITH SALVAGE UNIT...PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS.

Our truck has been great but we have a major problem. It is leaking water when it rains. Getting front floor carpet wet and now it is getting the fuse box wet and causing electrical systems to not work. Like today the odometer won't light up. Also dripping from top of windshield. We are having the windshield and seal replaced on Thursday but the glass company says they can't guarantee m of seal will stop the Problem. He said the drain system was factory installed backwards and it's not draining properly.

AFTER A RAINSTORM AND WHILE DRIVING, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING, MY RADIO/CD PLAYER STARTED TURNING OFF AND ON, MY PANEL LIGHT DIMMED, AND I HEARD A CLICKING NOISE UNDER MY DRIVER SIDE DASH BOARD. THERE WAS ALSO A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. WHILE STATIONARY AND KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, I NOTICED WATER ON THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR, AND WHEN I LOOKED UNDER I COULD SEE DROPS OF WATER SLIDING OFF I BELIEVE MY EMERGENCY BAKE AND BRAKE PEDAL, AND AN ONGOING CLICKING SOUND UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. I LEFT MY TRUCK IN DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT, AND THE NEXT MORNING MY BATTERY WAS DEAD. I HAD AAA TOW COME AND REPLACE BATTERY THAT AFTERNOON. THE NEXT MORNING THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. AAA CAME AND CHECKED THE STARTER AND ALTERNATOR, ALL WERE FINE. AS THEY RECHARGED BATTERY THERE WAS A WEIRD NOISE HEARD IN THE ENGINE AREA. I DROVE IT TO A MECHANIC WITH FORD TRUCK EXPERIENCE. HE STATED THE GEM AND FUSE BOX WERE WET AND ATTRIBUTED IT TO WATER LEAKAGE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD WEATHER STRIPPING TRIM WHICH WAS COMMON IN FORDS VEHICLES. HE RECOMMENDED REPLACING GEM, FUSE BOX, AND WINDSHIELD TRIM. THIS WATER/ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAPPENS EVERY YEAR AFTER A RAINSTORM. I NEVER THOUGHT A VEHICLE IN GOOD CONDITION COULD HAVE OUTSIDE WATER LEAKS GETTING INSIDE AND ONTO THE FUSE BOX AND GEM MODULE. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME IT CAN BECOME VERY DANGEROUS FOR THE GEM AND FUSE BOX TO FAIL BECAUSE IT CONTROLS EVERYTHING IN THE TRUCK. THE GEM AND FUSE BOX SHOULD BE PROTECTED FROM OUTSIDE ELEMENTS. WHEN WATER IS INTRODUCED TO THESE MODULES, IT MAKES THE WHOLE SYSTEM GO WACKY AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS AND POSSIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. FORD NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND FIX AND/OR REIMBURSE US CONSUMERS ON THE COST OF FIXING IT

UNKNOWN - however there were NO warning lights or any other indication of malfunction or to service the truck. I took the truck to an independent service center & they did a full inspection & I did receive an estimate for repairs.

TRANS WENT OUT A MONTH AFTER INTAKE CRACK HAD TO BE REPLACE ALMOST $1,650 TOGETHER ALSO BALL JOINTS AND TIEROD ENDS NO GOOD SHOCK NO GOOD BRAKE ARE FALLING AND REAR END IS GRINDING THIS TRUCK SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN SOLD HELP AND THERE'S "MORE".

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE ENGINE REVVED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MATHEWS FORD NEWARK (500 HEBRON RD, NEWARK, OH 43056, (740) 522-2181) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY UNIT WAS REPLACED BY THE SAME DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,950. *JS *JS

SIMILAR TO OTHER COMPLAINT, I DISCOVERED THAT MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS NOT ENGAGING WHEN I TURN IT ON USING THE SWITCH ON THE DASH. MY INDEPENDENT EXCELLENT MECHANIC (I WOULD NEVER USE THE FORD DEALER HERE) FOUND THAT A WIRE ON THE TRANSMISSION CASE HAD BEEN SIMPLY DISCONNECTED. HE RECONNECTED IT - NO CHARGE. WORKS FINE. P.S. I TEST THE OPERATION EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS NOW TO MAKE SURE IT IS WORKING JUST IN CASE I NEED IT. *TR

Well the passenger side in front seat seat belt needs replaced due to getting stuck after front airbags in dash and steering wheel after deployment from barley tapping a vehicle in front of the truck

ON NOVEMBER 01,2020 I WAS INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE ROLLOVER IN MY FORD F150 2003 WHICH THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND SEATBELT LOCKED I WAS ENTERTAINING INTERSECTION AND ALMOST THROUGH IT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN THE STOP LIGHT CAUSING ME TO ROLLOVER ONE IN HALF TIMES. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND SEAT ALMOST DETACHED FROM CAB.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel felt very loose and was difficult to turn. The vehicle was restarted. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.

DROVE TO OUR CABIN IN UPPER WISCONSIN AND THE PSF TIRE THE MIDDLE OF IT BLOW OUT. IT HAD PROBABLE A 4 INCH CUT FROM WHEN IT BLUE. THE TIRES ARE LESS THEN A YEAR OLD WITH 3,600 MILES ON THEM. THE TIRES WON'T CHEAP BUT THERE JUNK AND THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME I BUY GOOD YEAR OF ANY TYPE.

TRANS WENT OUT A MONTH AFTER INTAKE CRACK HAD TO BE REPLACE ALMOST $1,650 TOGETHER ALSO BALL JOINTS AND TIEROD ENDS NO GOOD SHOCK NO GOOD BRAKE ARE FALLING AND REAR END IS GRINDING THIS TRUCK SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN SOLD HELP AND THERE'S "MORE".

MY FORD F 150 FRAME AND SPRING HOLDERS ARE RUSTING BAD, I'M AFRAID THE SPRINGS MAY FALL OFF OR THE FRAME MAY BREAK WHILE I'M DRIVING. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS HAPPENS. THE BODY OF THE TRUCK HAS NO RUST, I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND ONLY HAVE 62,000 MILES ON IT. JUST WONDERING IT OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM IM HAVING WITH MY FRAME AND WHAT MY OPPTIONS ARE. *TR

The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon attempting to enter the vehicle, the contact became aware that the driver’s and passenger’s side rear doors failed to open after several attempts. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

MY VEHICLE IS A 2003 F150 XL. I AWOKE THIS MORNING TO FIND THE CAB OF MY TRUCK FULL OF SMOKE AND THE SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC. I NOTICED A TRAIL OF SMOKE ORIGINATING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I IMMEDIATELY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND REMOVED THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. I FOUND EXPOSED WIRING AND MELTED COMPONENTS LEADING INTO THE HIGH-BEAM SELECTOR LEVER. *NM

MY 2003 F-150 V8, 4.6L 2WD TRUCK RECEIVED WATER DAMAGE TO THE GEM (GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE) CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON A FOGGY/DEW MORNING AFTER A RAINSTORM. THE WATER DAMAGE WAS DUE TO A LEAK ON THE LOOSE WINDSHIELD THAT CAUSED WATER TO RUN DIRECTLY TO THE FUSEBOX & GEM THAT CONTROLS ALL ELECTRONICS IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER LOOKING SEEKING AN ANSWER FOR THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT AT LEASE A HUNDRED OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME WINDSHIELD LEAK IN THE '97-'03 F SERIES VEHICLES. THE GEM COULD AND HAS CAUSED VEHICLES TO SHUT OFF AND ON AND HAVE LIGHTS GO OFF AND ON AT A RANDOM TIME IF IT RECEIVED WATER DAMAGE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY. THE WINDSHIELD IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND MANY OTHERS HAVE SUFFERED FROM THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT ACTIVATE UNTIL THE STEERING WHEEL WAS RAISED INTO A HIGHER POSITION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS NEARLY INVOLVED IN A CRASH AFTER THE CONTACT ALMOST LOST CONTROL WHILE TURNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WIRING IN THE SIGNAL LEVER WAS NOT CONNECTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN WHENEVER THE COLUMN WAS SHIFTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS DEFECTIVE. WHEN THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND PLACED IT ON HIGH, A POPPING NOISE EMITTED AND SMOKE RELEASED FROM THE VENTS. MOMENTS LATER, FLAMES EMITTED FROM THE VENT AREA. THE CONTACT AND DRIVER WERE UNINJURED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE FAILED TO DISENGAGE. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN SERVICED BY SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS FOR THIS ISSUE. THEY ALL GAVE DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT NONE OF THE SOLUTIONS RELATED TO WHAT WAS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. *PH THE VEHICLE DID NOT DISENGAGE OR SHIFT OUT OF 4X4 INTO 4X2 UNDER A LOAD OR IN A BIND. THE BRAKES PUSHED TO THE DRIVERS SIDE AND A MADE NOISE, AND THE A/C DIDN'T SWITCH FROM DEFROST TO VENT DUE TO THE RADIO AND BEZEL VACUUM TO THE A/C SYSTEM. THE A/C SELECTOR SWITCH WAS REPLACED. *SC *JB