RoadVitals

2003 Ford F-550 Sd Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
33
Latest Jan 10, 2018
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
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.
6

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Ford F-550 Sd, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine820.5%
  • Suspension25.1%
  • Other / unspecified25.1%
  • Powertrain (other)12.6%
  • Seat belts12.6%
  • Tires & wheels12.6%
  • Airbags12.6%
  • Transmission12.6%
  • Heating & air conditioning12.6%
  • Driver assistance12.6%
  • Electrical12.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

19
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-550 SD. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE FUEL TANK DISINTEGRATED. THE FLOAT FILTER AND FILTER WERE CLOGGED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (VISION FORD, 1500 S WHITE SANDS BLVD, ALAMOGORDO, NM 88310) AND WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,550.

NHTSA ID 11061627 · filed Jan 10, 2018

WATTER SEPERATOR VALVE DUMPED FUEL ON THE TURBO CAUSING A FIRE.

NHTSA ID 10946265 · filed Jan 18, 2017
All 19 reports naming fuel system

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-550 SD. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE FUEL TANK DISINTEGRATED. THE FLOAT FILTER AND FILTER WERE CLOGGED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (VISION FORD, 1500 S WHITE SANDS BLVD, ALAMOGORDO, NM 88310) AND WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,550.

NHTSA ID 11061627 · filed Jan 10, 2018

WATTER SEPERATOR VALVE DUMPED FUEL ON THE TURBO CAUSING A FIRE.

NHTSA ID 10946265 · filed Jan 18, 2017
All 8 reports naming engine

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HIS 2003 FORD F550 WITH A TRAILER ATTACHED (FAILURE MILEAGE 61000) AT 60 MPH, THE TRACK ROD HANGER BRACKETS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWING FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE TRAILER BRAKES TO GAIN CONTROL IN ORDER TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A FORD DEALER WHO DIRECTED THE CONTACT TO THE FONTAINE MODIFICATION COMPANY. THE FONTAINE MODIFICATION COMPANY SUPPLIED THE HANGER BRACKET REPLACEMENT PARTS FREE OF CHARGE, BUT THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE LABOR INVOLVED IN THE REPAIR.*JB

NHTSA ID 10179032 · filed Jan 18, 2007

COMPLAINT: THE FRONT AXLE TRAVERSE ROD MOUNTING PLATE THAT IS WELDED TO THE FRONT AXLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS CRACKING AND HAS IN SOME CASES COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF. CAUSE: UNKNOWN CORRECTION: REPLACE ENTIRE FRONT AXLE. RE-USE ALL HUBS AND PARTS. *JB

NHTSA ID 10162670 · filed Jul 17, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

NORCOLD CORP. ISSUED SAFETY RECALL # 10E-049 ON/ABOUT OCTOBER 21, 2010 FOR REFRIGERATOR UNITS IN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES FOR A POTENTIAL "FIRE" IN THE COOLING UNIT(S). A CERTIFIED RV DEALER CONFIRMED FIRE DAMAGE TO UNIT OWNED AND OPERATED BY COMPLAINANT . NORCOLD CORP. HAS REFUSED TO HONOR SAFETY RECALL(S) AND REPAIR SAID DAMAGED UNITS. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO THE REFRIGERATOR UNIT ONLY HOWEVER ITS A TOTAL LOST. THERE ARE MILLIONS OF SIMILAR DEFECTIVE REFRIGERATOR UNITS BEING USED ON THE NATIONAL'S HIGHWAYS BY UNSUSPECTING RV OWNERS POSING A SERIOUS SAFETY AND HAZARDOUS POTENTIAL FOR A CATASTROPHIC EVENT THAT WILL ENDANGER THE TRAVELING PUBLIC. *TR

NHTSA ID 10461248 · filed Jun 11, 2012

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F550 SUPER DUTY. THE DEALER NOTICED THAT THE LUG NUTS HOLLOWED OUT THE STEEL RIMS DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION. THE THREE RIMS AND REAR STUDS OF THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ID 10204691 · filed Oct 2, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

COMPLAINT: THE FRONT AXLE TRAVERSE ROD MOUNTING PLATE THAT IS WELDED TO THE FRONT AXLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS CRACKING AND HAS IN SOME CASES COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF. CAUSE: UNKNOWN CORRECTION: REPLACE ENTIRE FRONT AXLE. RE-USE ALL HUBS AND PARTS. *JB

NHTSA ID 10162670 · filed Jul 17, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT LOCKED AROUND HIS CHEST LIMITING MOVEMENT TO THE POINT OF CAUSING SLIGHT WHIPLASH. THE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO GET A DIET PEPSI POSITIONED IN A CUP HOLDER TRAY. WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS RESTRICTED, HE HAD BECOME INFURIATED WITH THE PROBLEM AND TRIED TO GET THE SEAT BELT OFF AND IT HAD GOTTEN TOO CLOSE TO A NARROW BRIDGE GUARD RAIL AND THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A $500,000 ACCIDENT. THIS INCIDENT WAS PLACED ON THE CONSUMERS DRIVING RECORD, BUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE CONSUMER HAD BEEN DRIVING COMMERCIALLY SINCE 1967 AND HAS NOT HAD ANY MAJOR WRECKS THAT CAUSED INJURIES. WHEN THE CONSUMER RETURNED HOME, HE CALLED FORDS SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND THEY GAVE HIM THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS IRRITATION ON THE TOP OF THE CONSUMER'S PER PICTURES. SINCE THE ACCIDENT THE CONSUMER SPOKE WITH SOME FORD EXPLORER AND EXPEDITION OWNERS THAT EXPERIENCED THE SAME SEAT BELT PROBLEMS AND DO NOT WEAR THEIR SEAT BELTS. THE CONSUMER ASSUMED THAT THIS ACCIDENT WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IF HE DID NOT WEAR THE SEAT BELTS BUT THIS IS AGAINST THE LAW. *AK (11/16/05) THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *SC

NHTSA ID 10138150 · filed Sep 29, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

HERCULES S-209 TIRE BLEW ALL TREAD LOST MAJOR SEPARATIONS OTHER TIRES NOTICE WIDESPREAD MINOR CRACKING. *TR

NHTSA ID 10351117 · filed Aug 22, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT LOCKED AROUND HIS CHEST LIMITING MOVEMENT TO THE POINT OF CAUSING SLIGHT WHIPLASH. THE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO GET A DIET PEPSI POSITIONED IN A CUP HOLDER TRAY. WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS RESTRICTED, HE HAD BECOME INFURIATED WITH THE PROBLEM AND TRIED TO GET THE SEAT BELT OFF AND IT HAD GOTTEN TOO CLOSE TO A NARROW BRIDGE GUARD RAIL AND THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A $500,000 ACCIDENT. THIS INCIDENT WAS PLACED ON THE CONSUMERS DRIVING RECORD, BUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE CONSUMER HAD BEEN DRIVING COMMERCIALLY SINCE 1967 AND HAS NOT HAD ANY MAJOR WRECKS THAT CAUSED INJURIES. WHEN THE CONSUMER RETURNED HOME, HE CALLED FORDS SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND THEY GAVE HIM THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS IRRITATION ON THE TOP OF THE CONSUMER'S PER PICTURES. SINCE THE ACCIDENT THE CONSUMER SPOKE WITH SOME FORD EXPLORER AND EXPEDITION OWNERS THAT EXPERIENCED THE SAME SEAT BELT PROBLEMS AND DO NOT WEAR THEIR SEAT BELTS. THE CONSUMER ASSUMED THAT THIS ACCIDENT WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IF HE DID NOT WEAR THE SEAT BELTS BUT THIS IS AGAINST THE LAW. *AK (11/16/05) THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *SC

NHTSA ID 10138150 · filed Sep 29, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F550 SUPER DUTY. WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND LUNGES FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ALMOST LUNGED INTO TRAFFIC WHILE AT IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT ON ONE OCCASION. A COMPONENT WAS REPLACED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT A CRASH COULD OCCUR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

NHTSA ID 10273607 · filed Jun 12, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS ENGINE FAILURES, OF WHICH I HAVE THE RECEIPTS, ON MY F500 FORD WITH THE 6.0 DIESEL ENGINE, AT A COST TO ME OF OVER $7,000. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURES, THE ENGINE WAS ONLY OUT OF WARRANTY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. BECAUSE A DIESEL SHOULD LAST FOR A RELATIVELY LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS, I ASKED FORD TO COVER THE BILL. IN SHORT, FORD WOULD NOT GIVE ME THE TIME OF DAY OR ADMIT TO ANYTHING. I AM VERY CONCERNED AS I DON' T MAKE THE KIND OF MONEY IT TAKES TO CONTINUALLY INVEST IN AN ENGINE THAT SHOULD STILL RUN FINE. I HAVE ALSO DISCUSSED THIS WITH OTHERS THAT OWN THE SAME ENGINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THE TYPE OF PROBLEMS THAT I'VE HAD ARE QUITE COMMON WITH THE 6.0 ENGINE. I HAVE ALL THE RECEIPTS AND EXPECT FORD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT IS CLEARLY A POORLY BUILT ENGINE. I'M ALSO HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER FOR YEARS AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I AWAIT YOUR REPLY AND CAN SEND YOU A COPY OF THE BILLS AND MY CORRESPONDENCE WITH FORD.

NHTSA ID 10481643 · filed Oct 11, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID 10109477 · filed Feb 1, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F550 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ASKED THE DEALER IF HE COULD SEE THE DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY THREW IT AWAY. THE REPAIR COST $1,273.35. THERE WERE NO FAILURES PRIOR TO THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,201 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,100. UPDATED 05/12/08 *BF THE FAILURE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PLUG. THE DEALER STATED THE TRUCK HAD A SENSOR WHICH WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE NEW CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR.

NHTSA ID 10224611 · filed Apr 15, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .