RoadVitals

2003 Ford F-250 Sd Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
178
Latest Jul 10, 2019
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
16
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 1, 2003

What this page shows

Our database holds 178 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Ford F-250 Sd. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 178 · page 1 of 8

Fuel system
Filed Jul 10, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11230742
Incident
Jun 26, 2019
Mileage
49,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 11, 2018

THE REAR FUEL TANK STRAP FAILED WHILE TRAVELING ON A STATE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID
11150844
Incident
Nov 7, 2018
Mileage
113,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Dec 14, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10935359
Incident
Dec 11, 2016
Mileage
120,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 1, 2016
Fire reported

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE SPARK PLUGS BLOWING OUT OF MOTOR AND BREAKING COIL CAUSING IT TOO LEAK FUEL VAPORS OUT POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THREE DIFFERENT CERTIFIED MECHANICS HAVE ADVISED THIS IS CAUSED TO DEFECT IN THE ALUMINUM HEADS FROM FACTORY NOT HAVING ENOUGH THREADS CAUSING THE SPARK PLUG TO BLOW OUT. POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR FIRE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS ADDRESSED AS IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. WE HAD A SMALL ENGINE FIRE CAUSING SLIGHT DAMAGE TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT HAD TO BE REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID
10871769
Incident
Apr 10, 2012
Mileage
160,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 9, 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.

NHTSA ID
10825075
Incident
Jan 4, 2016
Mileage
85,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 13, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10809880
Incident
Dec 9, 2015
Mileage
102,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 23, 2015

A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT WHILE ACELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN, THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. A SMELL OF UNBURNT FUEL WAS PRESENT WHILE DRIVING TO FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
10726943
Incident
May 12, 2010
Mileage
108,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 14, 2015

1 OF THE TANK STRAPS BUSTED OFF AND THE TANK BEGAN SAGGING AND ALMOST TOUCHING THE GROUND, THUS CAUSING A SEVERE FIRE HAZARD.

NHTSA ID
10716410
Incident
May 1, 2014
Mileage
120,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 12, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY SMOKE RESULTING IN A FIRE. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V553000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 7/1/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO FIRE, JUST EXCESSIVE PRESSURE IN THE CRANKCASE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BLOW OIL OUT THE GLOW PLUG. UPDATED 03/31/16.*JB

NHTSA ID
10715929
Incident
Feb 5, 2014
Mileage
81,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 5, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN TO DRIVE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESUME NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,919.

NHTSA ID
10652834
Incident
Nov 5, 2006
Mileage
89,919 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 20, 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

NHTSA ID
10626658
Incident
Jun 1, 2014
Mileage
85,150 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 28, 2014

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

NHTSA ID
10615461
Incident
Jul 1, 2014
Brakes
Filed Jan 14, 2014
Crash reported

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

NHTSA ID
10559952
Incident
Dec 18, 2013
Mileage
198,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 4, 2013

TRUCK IS LIGHTLY USED. TODAY I HOOKED UP THE HORSE TRAILER TO HAUL HORSES AND WHEN I WAS HEADED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND USED THE BRAKES THEY COMPLETELY FAILED. I ENGAGED THE TOW MODE ON THE TRANSMISSION AND USED THE E-BRAKE TO STOP. THERE WAS NO WARNING JUST BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR FAILURE. IF THIS FAILURE OCCURRED 2 MINUTES LATER I WOULD OF BEEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THERE WAS A LARGE LEAK ON THE MAIN BRAKE LINE ABOVE THE REAR FUEL TANK. I INSPECTED THE MAIN BRAKE LINE AND EVERY PLACE THE BRAKE LINE IS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME THERE IS SIGNIFICANT CORROSION OF THE BRAKE LINE . 2 INCHES FROM THE ATTACHMENT THE BRAKE LINE LOOKS BRAND NEW. LOOKS LIKE THE ENGINEERS USED A DISSIMILAR METAL AND CAUSED A CORROSION CELL. 10 YEAR OLD TRUCK AND I AM SPENDING $800.00 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MAIN BRAKE LINE. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE ON A $50,000 TRUCK SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. DEALER SAYS HE HAS NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY FAILURE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10541910
Incident
Sep 4, 2013
Mileage
24,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 24, 2013

THREAD SEPARATION , THIS IS THE SECOND BFG TIRE THAT HAS SEPARATED REFER TO ODI NUMBER 10508448. *TR

NHTSA ID
10531692
Incident
Jul 19, 2013
Mileage
179,946 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed May 28, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 228,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10513728
Incident
May 5, 2010
Mileage
170,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 16, 2013

TIRE TREAD CAME OFF THE TIRE AT THE STEEL BELTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10508448
Incident
Apr 13, 2013
Mileage
18,788 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 31, 2012
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN REDUCTION IN THE ENGINE POWER AND THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. A CHEMICAL BURNING ODOR EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY AND WHENEVER THE FUEL TANK LEVEL REGISTERED QUARTER OF A TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE FUEL TANK LINING WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10482692
Incident
Feb 8, 2012
Mileage
140,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 15, 2012

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.

NHTSA ID
10480130
Incident
Oct 11, 2012
Mileage
125,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 25, 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

NHTSA ID
10477054
Incident
Sep 18, 2012
Mileage
58,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 12, 2012

ON FRIDAY, JUNE 8TH 2012, ON MY 2003 FORD F250, THE FRONT LEFT (DRIVERS SIDE) TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. THE TIRE IS A DICK CEPEK FUN COUNTRY 2 PURCHASED IN JULY 2007. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE TIRE HAD 60,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS PROPERLY INFLATED, THERE WAS ADEQUATE TREAD ON IT. MY 15 1/2 YEAR OLD SON, WHO HAS HIS PERMIT, WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, BUT WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE ENOUGH TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND REMOVE THE TRUCK FROM THE ROADWAY; WE WERE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH AT THE TIME. THE TIRE SIZE IS 315/75/16. *TR

NHTSA ID
10461299
Incident
Jun 8, 2012
Mileage
106,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 6, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 80 MPH WHEN THE SMELL OF FUEL EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE STEEL FUEL LINE WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,780.

NHTSA ID
10460796
Incident
May 15, 2012
Mileage
62,400 mi
Steering
Filed May 3, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE PITMAN ARM. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (16515) FOR THE PITMAN ARM AND THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ID
10457351
Incident
Nov 8, 2011
Mileage
85,000 mi
Body & structureTransmission
Filed Nov 28, 2011

VEHICLE HAS 7.3 LITER DIESEL ENGINE AND THE FORD 4R100 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE. TRANSMISSION FAILED AT ABOUT 88,000 MILES DESPITE PROPER SERVICING SINCE NEW. IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STOP SHIFTING IN NORMAL USE AND BEGAN TO SLIP BADLY. ONLY SECOND GEAR WAS STILL WORKING WHEN I GOT IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE ($3500+). THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION FAILED IN A SIMILAR WAY AT ABOUT 135,000 MILES DESPITE BEING SERVICED AS REQUIRED BY THE DEALER. THEY ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN A VALVE BODY FOR THIS TROUBLESOME ASSEMBLY AND IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR NEARLY TWO WEEKS. THIS MODEL OF TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE TOWING AND LOSE ENGINE BRAKING DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING. FORD NO LONGER USES THIS TRANSMISSION AS IT HAS A HIGH FAILURE RATE. THE BODY HAS RUSTED THROUGH AT ONE OF THE CAB CORNERS AND OVER BOTH REAR WHEEL WELLS. FORD REPAIRED THE RUST THROUGH ONCE UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE RUST THROUGHS CONTINUE AND HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON THE INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE STRUCTURE AND PROTECTION OF IT'S OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. A RUSTED BODY WOULD NOT PROTECT OCCUPANTS AS WELL AS AN AN UNRUSTED ONE. *KB

NHTSA ID
10437474
Incident
Apr 14, 2010
Mileage
88,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 21, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F250 SD WITH BIG O BIG FOOT HT TIRES, SIZE LT265/75R16, DOT NUMBER: UPW8T264005. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THREE OF THE TIRES EXHIBITED TREAD SEPARATION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS 948. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,988. UPDATED 10/04/11*BF

NHTSA ID
10426597
Incident
Jun 12, 2010
Mileage
50,988 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Narrow this down by component

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .