2003 Ford F-150 Visibility Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11550463

Incident

Oct 17, 2023

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

NHTSA ID

11191148

Incident

Mar 21, 2019

Mileage

95,000 mi

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".

NHTSA ID

10936142

Incident

Nov 7, 2016

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

NHTSA ID

10643313

Incident

Oct 8, 2014

Mileage

112,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE WINDSHIELD, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE GEM MODULAR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE GEM MODULAR AND THE WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE WINDSHIELD PRIMER HAD BECOME LOOSE ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ID

10428255

Incident

Sep 26, 2011

Mileage

74,000 mi

PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE ON 2003(2004 BODY STYLE) F150 LARIAT. REGULATOR FAILED ON ROAD TRIP IN 95 PLUS DEGREE WEATHER IN EASTERN NC ON JUNE 26, 2010. THIS IS THE SECOND ONE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10340259

Incident

Jun 26, 2010

Mileage

61,500 mi

I HAVE A 2003 FORD F150, WITH A 5.4L ENGINE. I FOUND OUT THAT MY WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING AND SEEPING WATER ONTO MY GEM/CJB AND MAKING IT SO IN RAIN MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS SHUT OFF, MY HEATER BLOWER TO STAY ON OR GO ON WHEN THE KEY IS NOT IN THE IGNITION, AND HAS DRAINED MY BATTERY. HERE IS A COPY OF THE NOTICE FORD SENT TO THERE DEALERSHIPS IN 2004, *FORD SPECIAL MESSAGE #15773 VARIOUS ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS RESULTING FROM WATER INTRUSION INTO THE GEM/CJB SOME 1997-2002 EXPEDITION AND 1998-2002 NAVIGATOR VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VARIOUS UNUSUAL ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: FRONT OR REAR BLOWER OR EATC STAYING ON WITH KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, RADIO STAYING ON AFTER DOORS OPENED AND KEY OUT OF IGNITION, WIPER CIRCUIT FAILURE CODES, AND MULTIPLE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS WITH 'SHORT TO POWER' OR 'LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE' DTCS. THESE SYMPTOMS MOST OFTEN OCCUR AFTER A RAIN OR SNOW. THIS MAY BE DUE TO GEM/CJB WATER INTRUSION RESULTING FROM A WINDSHIELD WATER LEAK. TO SERVICE, REMOVE THE GEM AND CJB FROM THE VEHICLE, SEPARATE THEM AND INSPECT FOR WATER CONTAMINATION OR CORROSION. IF FOUND IN EITHER COMPONENT, REPLACE BOTH COMPONENTS AND COMPLETELY RESEAL THE WINDSHIELD. EFFECTIVE DATE: 04/05/2002 SO THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THEY ARE CHARGING BETWEEN $900 - $1500+ FOR REPAIRS AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT CHARGING FOR THE WINDSHIELD TO BE REPLACED. THE HAZARDS OF THIS POTENTIALLY SHORTING OUT AND HAVING A FIRE IS A RISK THAT I THINK SHOULD BE ADDRESSED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CONSUMERS. HAVING MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP ON ME IN HEAVY RAIN ON THE HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10327880

Incident

Apr 26, 2000

Mileage

162,566 mi

WINDSHIELD LEAKS AND IS FRYING MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2003 F150. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS ARTICLES ON FORD NEEDING TO FIX THESE ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10291622

Incident

Oct 31, 2009

Mileage

93,864 mi

WATER LEAKED INTO THE CAB TROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND SHORTED OUT THE GEM MODULE AND CORRODED THE FUSE BOX. NO LEAK WAS EVIDENT BEFORE THE SHORT OUT OF VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10225949

Incident

Apr 28, 2008

Mileage

130,000 mi

RECENTLY, THE HEADLIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS, AUTO LIGHT FUNCTIONS, DOOR LOCKS, EXC., ALL BEGAN PERFORM ERRATICALLY; INCLUDING THE DASH LIGHTS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT! THE NEXT DAY I WENT GREAT LAKES FORD IN LUDINGTON, MI. AS SOON AS I MENTIONED ONE OF THE SYMPTOMS, THE TECH IMMEDIATELY KNEW THE PROBLEM: HE TOLD ME THAT THE OEM ADHESIVE ON THE WINDSHIELD HAD FAILED CAUSING WATER TO LEAK DOWN BEHIND THE DASH AND DIRECTLY ONTO THE GEM MODULE AND FUSE PANEL. HE SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM OVER AND OVER WITH THIS YEAR F150 AND HAD PROBABLY FIXED MORE THAN 100 OVER THE LAST YEAR OR TWO. THE LOCAL WINDSHIELD SHOP, DUNESIDE AUTO GLASS; THE OWNER TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE DONE MORE THAN 25 WINDSHIELDS THIS YEAR AT GREAT LAKES FORD FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I CHECK THE FORD WEBSITES AND ALSO FOUND THAT THERE IS A TSB LISTED FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $1200 WHICH INCLUDED $500 IN PARTS FOR THE BOX ASY, MODULE AND NEW LIGHT SWITCH,$351 IN LABOR AND $325 FOR A NEW WINDSHIELD PLUS TAXES. HOW CAN THERE NOT BE A RECALL FOR THIS? IF THE PROBLEM IS THAT PREVALENT AT A NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN FORD DEALER, IT HAS TO BE EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10208172

Incident

Oct 16, 2007

Mileage

7,200 mi

ON SEPT 31 ALL WAS WELL. THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED DOWN TO 40+ DEGREE'S THAT NIGHT. WELL MUCH TO MY SURPRISE I WENT TO GET IN MY 03 F150 TO GO TO THE STORE, AND THE REAR GLASS WAS ALL SHATTERED. NOTHING HIT, NOTHING AROUND IT. THE TEMP ONLY GOT UP TO 78 TODAY OCT.1-2006. WE HAVE HAD STRANGER WEATHER THEN THIS WHY WOULD THE GLASS JUST SHATTER LIKE THAT. THERE HAS TO BE SOME DEFECT IN THE GLASS TO DO THAT?I LIVE OFF A BUDGET AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR REPLACING THE GLASS. SO WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP ME REPLACE THE REAR GLASS,I SURE CAN'T DRIVE TO WORK WITH NO REAR GLASS. MY 03 F150 IS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. SO PLEASE HELP ME REPLACE THE GLASS. *NM

NHTSA ID

10169695

Incident

Oct 1, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENTIRE FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS SLIPPED OUT OF PLACE WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. ALTHOUGH THE WINDSHIELD GLASS BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE MOLDING, THE GLASS DID NOT CRACK OR BREAK. THE GLASS RESTED BETWEEN THE HOOD SLIT AND THE GLASS MOLDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONTACTED A GLASS COMPANY IN REFERENCE TO THE ISSUE. THE GLASS COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND REINSTALLED THE WINDSHIELD GLASS WITH NEW GLUE AROUND THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING. UPDATED 3/17/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID

10149223

Incident

Jan 28, 2006

Mileage

64,000 mi

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WINDSHIELD LEAKED. AS A RESULT OF THE LEAK THE VEHICLE SUFFERED ELECTRICAL DAMAGE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. THE WINDSHIELD WAS BEING REPAIRED ALONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. HE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORD, AND THEY OFFERED NO FREE SOLUTION. *AK

NHTSA ID

10141632

Incident

Nov 1, 2005

2004 EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER WITH 45K MILES WINDSHIELD BUBBLED MAKING VIEWING DIFFICULT AND DRIVING DANGEROUS. THIS STARTED SMALL AND THEN WENT ON TO INVOLVE MOST OF THE WINDSHIELD IN LITTLE OVER A WEEK. DEALER REPLACED WINDSHIELD FOR $150.00. WINDSHIELD DEFINITELY DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS NEEDS REPORTING. *JB

NHTSA ID

10140270

Incident

Oct 19, 2005

Mileage

45,000 mi

AFTER HEARING AN ANNOYING WHISTLE AND/OR WIND SOUND IN OUR 2003 FORD F150 SUPER CREW FX4 TRUCK FOUND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE UPPER PART OF THE CAR (WE COULD SEE DAYLILGHT). WE TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP THE NEXT DAY WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT ATTACHED BY ANY SEALANT, IT WAS BEING HELD IN BY THE MOLDING ONLY. A AUTO GLASS COMPANY WAS CALLED AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE POLY THAT IS SUPPOSE TO BE ON THE WINDSHIELD WAS ON THE RUBBER MOLDING.

NHTSA ID

10129928

Incident

Jul 22, 2005

Mileage

66,882 mi

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10096920

Incident

Oct 14, 2004

THE CONSUMER FEELS, "THAT THE POSITION OF THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH POSES A SAFETY RISK. A CHILD OR AN ANIMAL CAN ACTIVATE THE SWITCH JUST BY STICKING THEIR HEAD OUT OF THE WINDOW." THE CONSUMER'S DOG WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE SWITCH AND ALMOST CRUSHED HIS HEAD IN THE WINDOW. *LA THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS DISCONTINUED IN THE 2003 MODEL. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10083261

Incident

Jul 20, 2004

Mileage

55,000 mi

WHILE PARKED REAR WINDOW SHATTERED INTO PIECES WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ID

10059158

Incident

Jan 15, 2004

Mileage

5,000 mi

VEHICLE DOESN'T COME EQUIPPED WITH A REAR DEFOGGER SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, DRIVER IS UNABLE TO SEE OUT THE REAR IN RAINY OR SNOWY WEATHER. *AK

NHTSA ID

10047963

Mileage

3,000 mi

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE DOESN'T REACH OUT ENOUGH IN ORDER FOR THE CONSUMER TO SEE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PH *TS

NHTSA ID

10002141

Incident

Jan 1, 2003