2003 Ford F-150 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (29) · Engine And Engine Cooling (23) · Engine (20)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford F-150 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
326 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting 2011-07-29 · campaign 11V385000 · 1,100,000 vehicles
Defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK,
Risk: AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY FAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL LINES TO SEPARATE FROM THE TANK, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSING THE TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND. EITHER SCENARIO MAY RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD.
Fix: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS REPLACED WITH STRAPS THAT HAVE INCREASED CORROSION PROTECTION. EARLY IN THIS CAMPAIGN, IF REPLACEMENT STRAPS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, DEALERS MAY INSTALL A CABLE SUPPORT UNDER THE STRAP AS AN INTERIM REPAIR OR A STEEL REINFORCEMENT OVER THE EXISTING STRAP AS A PERMANENT REPAIR. ANY REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. OWNERS
Service bulletins (94)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2024-05-27 · TSB 24-2165 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this article supersedes tsb 21-2175 to update the tsb service procedure. some 2016 mks, 2016-2017 navigator, 2016-2018 f-150/focus/c-max/edge/fiesta/mkx/transit connect/mustang, 2017-2018 continental/fusion/mkz, 2017-2019 explorer, 2016-2019 escape/mkc/flex/mkt/taurus/transit/expedition/f-super duty
Engine And Engine Cooling 2020-02-07 · DOR-N3Z7B-03 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sku is an oil dipstick. the customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the dipstick tube. the dipstick tube inner diameter may be small enough that it prevents installation of the oe dipstick.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2016-04-21 · TSB160073 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
safety recall 11s21 - fuel tank strap fracture - requests for recall service action
Fuel System, Gasoline 2016-04-21 · 16-0073 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
for 1997-2003 f-150, 2004 f-150 heritage, 1997-1999 f-250 light duty, or 2002-2003 blackwood vehicles safety recall 11s21 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where one or both fuel tank straps could potentially fracture. strap fracture may r
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly 2014-09-09 · TSB-14-0164 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford/lincoln: safety recall regarding high corrosion areas for operating, for an extended time, vehicles where both or one strap of fuel tank can fracture, after contacting ground. model 1997-99 f250 ld, 1997-03 f150, 2004 f150 heritage, 2002-03 blackwood. *pe
Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:mounting 2014-08-11 · TSB-14-0147 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford/lincoln: safety recall issued due to one or both fuel tank straps fracturing due to being in high corrosion areas for an extended period and dislodging fuel tank. model 1997-99 f250, 1997-03 f150, 2004 f150 heritage, 2002-2003 blackwood. *pe
Showing the 6 most recent of 94 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-18 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“i moved my vehicle from driveway to park on the street so my husband could park in the driveway. i then turned my vehicle off and roughly 2 hours later, a lady came screaming "fire fire fire!" i went to see where she was talking about and my truck was smoking under the hood, i then called the fire department and they came to extinguish the fire. i …”
2026-08-04 · Tires · 277,144 mi“the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150 equipped with firestone tires, tire line: firestone, tire size: 265/70/r17, dot number: (n/a). the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, there was a burning rubber odor coming from the outside of the vehicle. the contact exited the vehicle to inspect the tires and became aware that the tre…”
2026-06-09 · Wheels“unknown - however there were no warning lights or any other indication of malfunction or to service the truck. i took the truck to an independent service center & they did a full inspection & i did receive an estimate for repairs. …”
2026-01-28 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“my husband was shoveling snow off of our vehicles and seen smoke coming from under the hood of his truck. when he opened the hood the truck was on fire on the right side. the truck was turned off when this happened. he threw snow on top of it to put the fire out and unplugged the battery to prevent further fire damage. …”
2025-09-12 · Seat Belts · 💥 crash“well the passenger side in front seat seat belt needs replaced due to getting stuck after front airbags in dash and steering wheel after deployment from barley tapping a vehicle in front of the truck …”
2025-08-06 · Electrical System:ignition:coil:spark Plugs“the engine continues to shoot out the spark plugs. this is continued to happen with different cylinders. i’ve had it at the mechanic most of the time i’ve owned it.…”
2025-03-17 · Steering · 175,000 mi“the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. there was no warning light illuminated. the contact stated that the steering wheel felt very loose and was difficult to turn. the vehicle was restarted. the dealer was not contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed …”
2024-06-25 · Latches/Locks/Linkages“the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. the contact stated that upon attempting to enter the vehicle, the contact became aware that the driver’s and passenger’s side rear doors failed to open after several attempts. no warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. the vehicle was not repaired. the …”
2024-01-20 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i purchased this f150 in november, 2023. the only code shown was a lean code, p0171. i removed the bed first to begin my inspection. upon removing the original fuel tank, i discovered a gash in the top of the tank,about 1/8" wide by 3" long. it should have set a code like a missing gas cap would, but there was none. the gash appeared to be severa…”
2023-10-17 · Visibility/Wiper“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 gl…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.