2003 Ford F-250 Sd problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel (22) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (13) · Tires (12)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford F-250 Sd model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
157 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights 2011-07-13 · campaign 11V352000 · 26,715 vehicles
Defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQU
Risk: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Service bulletins (87)
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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2023-09-07 · SSM 51909 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
when performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving mercon sp, mercon lv has replaced all versions of mercon sp and can be used going forward. mixing mercon lv and mercon sp in the same transmission is acceptable. after 30-jun-2023, mercon sp atf will no longer be manufactured and wi
Power Train 2021-02-10 · RFI20210210_624- · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sku is a transmission line. the customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the connector. the transmission line connector may have an incorrect thread size, which will prevent it from being installed.
Equipment 2020-01-13 · DOR-U2J7Y-02 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sku is a spare tire hoist. test results identified that the pull force parameter was not within specification, as a precautionary measure unsold inventory was requested to be returned for testing and containment. we don't have evidence that these test results have contributed to a product fai
Equipment 2020-01-13 · DOR-C2C6H-02 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sku is a spare tire hoist. test results identified that the pull force parameter was not within specification, as a precautionary measure unsold inventory was requested to be returned for testing and containment. we don't have evidence that these test results have contributed to a product fai
Electrical System 2019-09-02 · SSM 48157 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2002-2008 f-super duty, f-150 and mark lt vehicles may exhibit concern during or after programing the vsm. the programming may fail or vehicle symptoms such as inoperative door locks, dome lamps, door ajar indicators or auto lamps may occur after successful programing. to ensure the vsm is conf
Steering 2018-10-02 · DOR-B8H4Z-11 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sku is a front upper ball joint. the customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. excessive friction in the ball joint assembly may cause a perceptible increase in steering effort.
Showing the 6 most recent of 87 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-07-10 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 49,000 mi“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 …”
2018-11-11 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 113,000 mi“the rear fuel tank strap failed while traveling on a state highway.…”
2016-12-14 · Wheels · 120,000 mi“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 el…”
2016-06-01 · Unknown Or Other · 160,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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…”
2016-02-09 · Vehicle Speed Control · 85,000 mi“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: 09v3990…”
2015-12-13 · Engine · 102,000 mi“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.…”
2015-06-23 · Engine · 108,000 mi“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.…”
2015-05-14 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 120,000 mi“1 of the tank straps busted off and the tank began sagging and almost touching the ground, thus causing a severe fire hazard.…”
2015-05-12 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel · 81,000 mi“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 an…”
2014-11-05 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump · 89,919 mi“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 d…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.