2003 Ford F-350 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (10) · Engine And Engine Cooling (6) · Tires:tread/Belt (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford F-350 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
58 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 (36)
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.
Structure:body 2005-02-01 · 18406 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service tips before arc welding on the frame or body of a unit. *tt
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2005-02-01 · 18397 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lack of power, surge, and/or diagnostic trouble codes p2263 or p0299. *tt
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2005-01-01 · 18376 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
a cold weather reverse engagement stall. *tt
Electrical System 2004-12-31 · 0471 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
warning indicators-parking aid-reverse sensing system (rss) and forward sensing system (fss)-false activation of warning tone-service tips. *mj update. *tt
Vehicle Speed Control 2004-12-13 · 042411 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
memontary return to idle during aggressive acceleration - diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0123. *tt
Suspension 2004-11-29 · 04236 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle lean sag when observed from rear of vehicle. *eh
Showing the 6 most recent of 36 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-29 · Power Train“when the 03 ford f350 dually, is placed in park, it will just roll away! …”
2026-07-13 · Unknown Or Other“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 …”
2021-09-20 · Steering“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…”
2021-01-05 · Steering · 110,000 mi“as i am sure you must be aware of this issue: i purchased used a 2003 ford -f350. i had many issues and had worked most of them out. there were many issues that were possible i was clearly unaware of. one being of utmost safety to myself and others. my high pressure oil pump located inside the engine of my 2003 ford f-350 6.0 diesel failed. whe…”
2019-11-12 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 160,000 mi“just driving on highway 41 and it just stopped. engine went dead. pulled over to side of road and tried starting again and it wouldnt start. had to get it towed. its been in shop for 20 days. needs a new fuel tank because the inner lining is peeling and particles are going through engine! need help i purchased this truck in 2015 and its been in sho…”
2019-07-16 · Exterior Lighting · 123,000 mi“my dome and running board lights on my 2003 ford f350 super duty, 4 door truck, stay on when i am driving and when the vehicle is turned off and locked. also while driving, the dash vehicle light is red showing that all 4 doors are open. ican be parked or moving, the lights stay on. both my batteries drain. so i hav to carry jumper cables.…”
2019-06-27 · Wheels · 63,800 mi“i am interested in the history of bf goodrich rugged terrain t/a tires made in 2014. i bought a set of four lt 265/75-16 lre for my f350 on 31 may, 2014. they came with a 6 year/50k mile warranty. i had tires rotated per warranty. on 11 april, 2019, i experienced a drivers rear tire failure on the florida turnpike (with cruise control set @ 77m…”
2017-10-03 · Unknown Or Other · 250,000 mi“the passenger side rear spark plug blew out of the socket…”
2017-08-31 · Air Bags · 147,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-350. while driving 50 mph, the contact crashed into another vehicle. none of the air bags deployed. the vehicle was towed to a collision center and the dealer was not contacted as of yet. a police report was filed. the contact sustained a neck fracture that required medical attention. the manufacturer was not cont…”
2017-08-04 · Unknown Or Other · 95,000 mi“for several years, we have had exhaust gases going into our truck cab. we do not drive the truck due to this reason. one year ago, we took the truck to diesel specialists here in las vegas. they said that there was a problem with the manifold. they tried to fix it and it was good for about a week until it started to force exhaust gases back int…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.