RoadVitals

2003 Ford F-350 Sd Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
16
Latest Aug 9, 2011
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
12%
of 132 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Ford F-350 Sd submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Electrical
Filed Aug 9, 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.

NHTSA ID
10418180
Incident
Jun 9, 2011
Mileage
60,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 14, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-350 6.0L DIESEL SD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE ICP SENSOR WAS REPLACED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO DAYS FOLLOWING THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS INSTALLED A FLAT RECORD ON THE VEHICLE BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING) WHICH INCLUDED THE 2005 MODEL FORD 350 DIESEL AND STATED THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ID
10376669
Incident
Sep 15, 2010
Mileage
23,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 9, 2010

FORD F350 EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINE EXPERIENCED STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND/OR WHILE APPLYING BRAKES. THIS LOOKS TO BE THE SAME ISSUE THAT AFFECTED VEHICLES IN THE 2004-2005 RECALL. ICP SENSOR LIGHT IS LIT AND MOST LIKELY WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. SEPARATE OR RELATED ISSUE? : ENGINE WILL "REV-UP" WHILE DRIVING AND PRODUCE ACCELERATION WITHOUT GAS PEDAL BEING APPLIED. ENGINE WILL REV-UP AND/OR IDLE HIGH WHILE IN PARK AND WHEN STOPPED/BRAKES APPLIED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10324699
Incident
Apr 9, 2010
Mileage
90,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 4, 2010

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I OWN A 2003 FORD F-350 TRUCK. THE MOTOR WOULD SURGE WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CAUSING THE TRUCK TO TRAVEL AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (BRAKING WOULD SLOW IT DOWN). OTHER TIMES WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS THE MOTOR WOULD SURGE PUSHING THE TRUCK FORWARD (IT WAS HARD TO HOLD IN PLACE USING BRAKES). I TOOK THE TRUCK TO FORD AND THEY SAID SENSORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE SERIAL NUMBER IS [XXX] . THE SURGING ACCURED APPROX. 15 TIMES WITHIN 5 DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10316584
Incident
Dec 15, 2009
Mileage
154,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemTransmission
Filed Sep 8, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION; ALTHOUGH, THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE INJECTION CONTROL PUMP (ICP); INJECTION PRESSURE REGULATOR (IPR) AND THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH WERE REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS 3,400. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ID
10283324
Incident
Dec 10, 2008
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 23, 2006

MY 2003 FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY TRUCK SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER QUICK WORKING AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IT TOOK MONTHS TO GET A REPLACEMENT UNIT FROM FORD BECAUSE (ACCORDING TO THE DEALER) THE UNITS WERE SO BACK-ORDERED DUE TO THE HIGH RATE OF FAILURE OF THIS PARTICULAR ASSEMBLY. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT UNIT. DURING THE MONTHS I DROVE WITHOUT A SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER, THERE WAS NO WAY TO DETERMINE HOW FAST I WAS DRIVING NOR ANY ACCURATE MEANS OF KEEPING TRACK OF THE ACTUAL MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER KEPT THE FAULTY UNIT. A VEHICLE WITHOUT A SPEEDOMETER SHOULD BE OUTLAWED. A VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY METHOD OF DETERMINING THE ACTUAL MILEAGE BY WHICH TO MONITOR EPA COMPLIANCE SHOULD ALSO BE OUTLAWED. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, MANY FORD TRUCKS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THIS WAS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10169038
Incident
Jan 10, 2006
Mileage
38,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 18, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE OPERATING AT A REDUCED SPEED. THIS WAS INTERMITTENT IN NATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION FOR A MOMENT, THE ENGINE RESTARTED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ENGINE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE STALLING PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ID
10168536
Incident
Sep 18, 2006
Mileage
110,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 12, 2006

2003 FORD F-350 DIESEL STALLING. VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. CONDITION STARTED WITHIN THE FIRST 7000 MILES. DEALER SEEMED TO REMEDY AS THE CONDITION NEVER RECURRED UNTIL 37K MILES; NOW, 42K MILES. COMMENCED STALLING IN FEB 2006 AND HAS STALLED 6 TIMES FROM FEB 2006 TO AUGUST 2006. THE SECOND TIME IT STALLED, WE WERE IN FREEZING RAIN IN 4X4 DRIVING MY WIFE TO WORK (SHE DIDN'T WANT TO DRIVE IN THOSE CONDITIONS) THE VEHICLE STALLED ON TOP OF TALL BRIDGE 300 FT OVER THE WILLAMETTE RIVER IN ICE CONDITIONS. LOST STEERING, HAD TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL WHILE STILL MOVING AND RE-START THE VEHICLE TO RE-GAIN CONTROL. NORMALLY, THE VEHICLE SIMPLY STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND WHILE THIS IS A MAJOR DISTRACTION, I'VE MANAGED TO RE-START WITHOUT INCIDENT. DEALER/FORD HAS BEEN EXCRUCIATING RELUCTANT TO REMEDY. EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE RECALLED 180,000 2004-2005 VEHICLES UNDER RECALL 05V27000 7/22/05 FOR THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOM, ENGINE, VEHICLE MODEL, THEY CLAIM TO BE UNAWARE OF THE ABOVE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR NUMEROUS TIMES (6 TIMES) SINCE FEBRUARY 2006. A FLIGHT RECORDER HAS BEEN INSTALLED TWICE TO RECORD COMPUTER DATA. ONCE THEY INDICATED IT WAS AN EGR PROBLEM AND PRESUMABLY REMEDIED. STILL STALLS. GOT ANOTHER STALLING INCIDENT RECORDED ON THE FLIGHT RECORDER (TWICE NOW) BUT APPARENTLY NO GOOD READING. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE (REGIONAL) THREE TIMES NOW AND THEY HAVE SEEMED TO BE MODERATELY HELPFUL, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND CUSTOMER SERVICE COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY. AS IT STANDS NOW, THE DEALER/FORD SERVICE IS IGNORING THE RECALL EXISTS FOR SIMILAR VEHICLES (MY VEHICLE IS AN F-350 6.0 DIESEL WITH THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS, BUT IT IS A 2003 MODEL). THEY WANT ME TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO CONNECT THE FLIGHT RECORDER YET A 3RD TIME AND ALLOW THEM TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AROUND THE 700 OR SO MILES IT TAKES TO GET A READING (PROBABLY A MONTH) AND I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LIABILITY. *NM

NHTSA ID
10167949
Incident
Feb 15, 2006
Mileage
37,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 22, 2006

2003 FORD F350 CREW CAB TRUCK WITH 6.0 DIESEL POWERED ENGINE LOOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. CAUSE: FUSE #22 BLOWS AND THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN A NINE MONTH PERIOD - LAST INCIDENT WAS ON DATE BELOW. TRUCK PURCHASED JUNE 30, 2003 AND HAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000 MILES ON IT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10155862
Incident
Apr 15, 2006
Mileage
17,700 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 14, 2005

WIRING HARNESS MELTED, HAD TO BE REPLACED. DEALER AT FIRST ATTEMPTED TO SAY IT WAS A LOOSE OIL CAP THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM, THEN AFTER A WEEK FOR REPAIR SIMPLY SAID THE WIRING HARNESS MELTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS IN SHOP OVER AT 4,000 MILES, BECAUSE THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL CAP FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT LOST ALL OF ITS OIL, NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE SHOP FOR INJECTORS, FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO FIX THE TRUCK. SO NEEDLESS TO SAY IT IS A FAULTY PRODUCT, IT HAS LOST ALL OF ITS OIL ONCE, ITS PARTS WERE MELTED, WHICH SAYS TO ME UNSAFE. I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY INFORMATION ON A RECALL FOR THE ENGINE. MY FATHER WAS DRIVING IT TO THE SHOP WHEN THE RADIO WAS GOING IN AND OUT, HE THOUGHT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY. WHILE IT MELTED THE HARNESS IT COULD HAVE MELTED MY FATHER. THE TRUCK NO LONGER RUNS AND SITS BECAUSE IT IS TO COSTLY TO REPAIR EVERY 10,000 MILES. I DO NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT MONTH I HAVE A STACK OF REPAIR ORDERS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10145192
Incident
Apr 1, 2005
Mileage
90,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 29, 2005

DT: THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING FAILED BECAUSE OF THIS. THE FIRST TIME THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WAS ON 7-1-05. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS, AND THEY REPLACED A BLOWN FUSE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN ABOUT 36 MILES AFTER HE PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD HIM THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH HIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. HE WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2004 MODELS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SECOND DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE WIRING HARNESS. ALSO, THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE PROBLEM OCCURRED BECAUSE OF CHAFFING OR RUBBING OF THE WIRES. SO FAR THIS HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10134667
Incident
Jul 1, 2005
Mileage
60,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 20, 2005
Crash reported

DT: CONSUMER HAS PREVIOUSLY FILED A COMPLAINT FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON OCTOBER 22, 2004, AT THAT TIME HE SPOKE WITH FRANK BORIS AND STEVE CHAN. THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, AND STEERING/ BRAKES GO OUT. THE CONSUMER WAS TRANSPORTING A 11000 POUND BOAT, THE BRAKES ON THE TRAILER ACTUALLY STOPPED THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE FORD HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE LAST TIME NORRIS FORD WORKED ON IT, AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED, THEY SAID IT NEEDED 8 NEW INJECTIONS ,AND WOULD COST $2500. CONSUMER 'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DITCH BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED THIS LAST TIME,HE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY WON'T START, AND HASN'T STARTED SINCE THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE PROBLEM STARTED WITHIN THE LAST 5,000 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ID
10125784
Incident
Jun 18, 2005
Electrical
Filed Jan 31, 2005
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. CONSUMER PLUGGED THE FRONT VEHICLE HEATER IN AND WENT INTO THE HOUSE. LATER, THE DOG STARTED TO BARK. CONSUMER LOOKED OUT, AND THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10109228
Incident
Nov 21, 2004
Mileage
75,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Dec 28, 2004

TOOK TRUCK IN TO GET COMPUTER UPDATES (132000 MI). DEALER DISCOVERED 12 QUARTS OF FUEL IN CRANKCASE. HAD TO GET INJECTOR SEALS REPLACED ($1200). I KNOW OF AT LEAST 4 OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IN AUGUST 2004 HAD TO HAVE FRONT END REBUILT EVEN THOUGH I HAD DONE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE ($450)VEHICLE LOST POWER (12/20/04)(182000 MI). STOPPED TO CHECK FOR PROBLEM. ENGINE RESTARTED. I SHUT IT OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART. IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START. HAD TOWED TO DEALER. THEY HAD 20 DIFFERENT CODES COME UP ON COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC. AS OF 12/28/04 IT STILL WILL NOT START AND DEALER STILL HAS NO IDEA WHY. MOST RECENT ESTIMATE FOR THIS REPAIR AT LEAST $1200 AN HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK SINCE BREAKDOWN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10104678
Incident
Dec 20, 2004
Mileage
182,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jan 15, 2004

6.0 LITRE DIESEL ROUGH IDLE, DEAD ACCELERATOR AT TIMES, LOW POWER, EXCESSIVE SMOKE, POOR FUEL MILAGE 8 TO 12 MILES PER GALLON. HAVE 30,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, POOR ENGINE RESPONSE WHEN COLD, ENGINE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, HAS BEEN TO SELLING DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR REPAIRS, RE-FLASH OF COMPUTER FOR UPDATED INFO FROM FORD BUT PROBLEMS TILL PRESENT! DEALER HAS HAD VEHICLE FOR THE PAST FOUR DAYS ,SAID ITS FIXED! PICKED UP LAST NITE, ALMOST DID NOT MAKE IT HOME! THEY NOW HAVE BACK TO LOOK AT..HAVE BEEN AROUND DIESELS FOR THE PAST THIRTY YEARS; THIS ONE IS A DUD!! MOST ALL PROBLEMS STILL PRESENT, NOW FUEL ODOR IN CRANKCASE, DEALER DID REPLACE I.P.C. SENSOR AND DOWNLOADED LATEST CALIBRATIONS TO NO HELP!

NHTSA ID
10070997
Incident
Oct 15, 2003
Mileage
29,900 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 13, 2003

2003 F350 6.0L DIESEL - SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER.DISPLAY LIGHTS COME ON BUT WON'T START, DOES NOT CRANK OVER AT ALL. HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. ONLY HAVE 5124 MILES ON IT. FIRST BREAKDOWN HAPPENED AT 900 MILES, SITTING STILL. 2ND BREAKDOWN HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED. THIRD BREAKDOWN HAPPENED TODAY 10/12/03 AT 75 MPH. STUCK IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC WITH FAMILY WAITING FOR TOW.GIVEN DIFFERENT REASON AT EACH REPAIR BY DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS. EACH DEALERSHIP SAID FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT CAN'T FIND A FIX.THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR THAT THESE 6.0 LITER ENGINES CAME OUT. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FOR SAME PROBLEM LISTED ON "THEDIESELSTOP.COM" WEB SITE. MANY PEOPLE ARE STUCK WITH THESE UNSAFE VEHICLES. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT RECALLED THESE TRUCKS, MAYBE YOU CAN FORCE THEM TO DO SOMETHING. *LA

NHTSA ID
10041682
Incident
Oct 12, 2003
Mileage
900 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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .