RoadVitals

2003 Ford F-350 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.
10
Latest Jul 13, 2026
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.
11%
of 90 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.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

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 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 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

BrakesElectrical
Filed Jul 13, 2026
1 injury reported

I was under the truck working on it and the truck was on I had the emergency brake on and the truck went into reverse and ran me over

NHTSA ID
11750135
Incident
Jun 29, 2026
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Sep 20, 2021

The wires for the camshaft position sensor are failing just like they have in others models of the f series and cause the truck to suddenly die while driving. There was already a recall in place but it doesn't cover this vin and so I would like to request the recall be extended to this trucks vin

NHTSA ID
11433730
Incident
Sep 16, 2021
Electrical
Filed Apr 10, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OPERATE ERRONEOUSLY. AFTER REINSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE KEY WOULD SPORADICALLY BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH OR SHE WOULD BE UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ID
10579010
Incident
Apr 4, 2006
Mileage
40,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 31, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE AFTER MARKET RADIO COULD HAVE POSSIBLY CAUSED OTHER ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA ID
10433708
Incident
Jun 30, 2011
Mileage
155,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 10, 2005
Fire reported

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10107097
Incident
Dec 25, 2004
Mileage
43,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 16, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. DEALER REPLACED COMPUTER AND A COUPLE OF SENSORS, HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10067265
Incident
Apr 16, 2004
Electrical
Filed Sep 12, 2003
Fire reported

VEHICLE FIRE FROM UNDERNEATH DASHBOARD.*MR PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE FIRE, THE SIX DISC CD CHANGER WAS REPLACED DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED THROUGH NO FAULT OF THE OWNER, WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL/MECHANICAL FAILURE, WHICH IS WHY THE OWNER WOULD LIKE FORD TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE. FORD DID AGREE BUT THE PROCESS HAD TAKEN AN EXTRAORDINARILY LONG TIME AND CONTINUED TO MOVE AT A UNACCEPTABLY SLOW PACE. THE CONSUMER HAS INCURRED MAJOR TRAVEL EXPENSES AS A RESULT OF FORD NOT SUPPLYING A RENTAL VEHICLE COMPATIBLE TO THE FORD F350. *PH *JB

NHTSA ID
10040254
Incident
May 24, 2003
Electrical
Filed Jul 22, 2003

ENGINE JUST STOPPED RUNNING. COASTED TO SIDE OF RODE, TURNED IGNITION OFF THEN BACK ON AND THE TRUCK STARTED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10028879
Incident
Jul 22, 2003
Mileage
14,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 10, 2003
Fire reported

VEHICLE FIRE-2003 FORD 350 VAN-FIRE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN ENGINE PER FIRE ANALYSIS-VIN 1FTSS34LXHA27785. *AK

NHTSA ID
10025812
Incident
May 6, 2003
Mileage
3,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 7, 2003
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE WAS SHOOTING OUT FLAMES FROM THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL AREA. *NLM....*AK

NHTSA ID
10015305
Incident
Apr 7, 2003
Mileage
16,000 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

Engine26Driver assistance13Fuel system10Brakes8

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .