2003 Ford F-350

Routine

Owners filed 90 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the vehicle speed control. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

58 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 10,00020,000 miles; the median is 43,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control10
102
Engine and Engine Cooling6
010
Electrical System6
011
Tires › Tread/Belt5
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel5
000
Engine5
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal3
100
Unknown or Other3
101
Fuel System, Diesel3
010
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine3
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights11V352000
Filed Jul 13, 201126,715 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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 EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Risk. NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. 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.

Equipment › Electrical07E066000
Filed Aug 28, 2007175 vehiclesCequent Electrical Products

Defect. CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.

Risk. IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.

Remedy. ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery04V327000
Filed Jul 7, 200483,687 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES, THE ENGINE GROUND STUD THAT ATTACHES THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL EYELET TO THE ENGINE BLOCK MAY BE LOOSE.

Risk. IF THE GROUND WIRE IS LOOSE, ELECTRICAL CURRENT MAY FLOW TO THE RADIO SUPPRESSION STRAP CAUSING IT TO HEAT AND POTENTIALLY MELT OR IGNITE ADJACENT COMPONENTS WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE GROUND STUD AND THE RADIO SUPPRESSION STRAP AND ADJACENT COMPONENTS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND REPLACED, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Jul 29, 2026PA

When the 03 Ford F350 dually, is placed in Park, it will just roll away!

Electrical System1 injured
Filed Jul 13, 2026CA

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

Electrical System
Filed Sep 20, 2021OR

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

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 5, 2021110,000 milesCA

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. WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE ENGINE STOPS. THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL PUMP PROVIDES NEEDED PRESSURE TO THE INJECTORS IN ORDER TO HAVE A RUNNING ENGINE. BEING PARKED AND THE HPOP FAILING IS ONE THING HOWEVER DRIVING 55MPH ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY AGAINST ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON A TURN IS A VERY BAD SITUATION. I AM FORTUNATE THAT I AM STILL VERY STRONG AT THE AGE OF 54. MY HPOP FAILED GOING 55MPH ON A LONG LEFT HAND TURN. AS THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN BY BRAKES ARE LIMITED TO A SMALL AMOUNT OF STORAGE AND THEN THEY FAIL. THE STEERING HOWEVER FAILS IMMEDIATELY. I WAS HEADING STRAIT HEAD ON I TO A TRACKTOR TRAILER RIG. IT TOOK EVERY OUNCE OF STRENGTH TO ATTEMPT TO STEER THIS VEHICLE OUT OF THE OTHER LAND AND BRAKE GETTING IT OFF THE ROAD ASAP. IF THE BIG RIG HAD NOT MADE AN ATTEMPT TO MISS ME, I WOULDNT BE SENDING THIS LETTER. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAD NOT THE STRENGTH TO STEER OUT OF A SITUATION OR HAVE TIME TO STOP AND WERE KILLED. THE REPORT MOST LIKELY SAID" DRIVER FELL ASLEEP." OR SOMETHING TO THAT AFFECT. THERE IS NO WAY THIS ENGINE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE OPERATION ON THE ROAD PERIOD. FORD SHOULD HONOR ALL CURRENT OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE WITH A VER

Engine
Filed Nov 12, 2019160,000 milesCA

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 SHOP 7 DIFFERENT TIMES.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 16, 2019123,000 milesCO

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.

Tires
Filed Jun 27, 201963,800 milesFL

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 @ 77MPH) CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE. CONTACTED DEALER WHO SAID "ROAD HAZARD" NOT COVERED. CONTACTED BFG WHO REQUESTED TIRE REMAINS BE SENT FOR ANALYSIS (TO PROVE ROAD HAZARD). ON 10 MAY DEPARTED FROM HOME TO GO TO VIRGINIA. 150 MILES UP I75 HAD TIRE VIBRATION AGAIN. PULLED OVER IN TIFTON, GA AND CHECKED TIRE TIME WITH IR GUN. ALL TIRES RUNNING BETWEEN 95-108 F. FELT TIRES AND HAD A BULGE IN DRIVERS FRONT. INSTALLED SPARE AND STARTED LOOKING FOR A BFG DEALER THAT HAD TWO TIRES IN INVENTORY (ONE TO INSTALL/ONE TO CARRY IN CASE OF FURTHER TROUBLE WITH SET). AS I APPROACHED MACON, GA, ANOTHER TIRE STARTED VIBRATING. WITHIN 5 MILES - IT BLEW HARD AT THE DRIVERS REAR POSITION AGAIN CAUSING OVER $3200 DAMAGE. CALLED EMERGENCY TIRE SERVICE AND REPLACED THE THREE REMAINING TIRES FROM THE 2014 SET. NOTIFIED BFG AND THEY ONLY WANTED THE THIRD FAILURE (SECOND BLOW) FOR ANALYSIS. CUSTOMER SERVICE REP STATED ALL TIRE BULGES ARE CAUSED BY "ROAD HAZARDS". IN SUMMARY - I EXPERIENCED THREE FAILURES IN JUST OVER 800 MILES ON A SET OF TIRES THAT ONLY HAVE 17,000 MILES ON THEM (REMAINING TREAD IS 11/32 PER DEALER INSPECTION). SINCE I STILL HAVE ALL OF THE TIRES - PHOT

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 3, 2017250,000 milesIL

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE SOCKET

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 31, 2017147,000 milesFL

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 CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 4, 201795,000 milesNV

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 INTO THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A LARGE RECALL OF FORD VEHICLES DOING THE SAME ISSUE. IT APPEARS THAT FORD IS STILL MAKING VEHICLES WITH FAULTY EQUIPMENT ON THEM. WE WOULD HAVE TAKEN OUR TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER BUT WE DO NOT HAVE A WARRANTY.

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed May 5, 2017150,000 milesME

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A TIRES, SIZE: 285/75/16. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SUSTAINED TREAD SEPARATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE DOWN TO THE FENDER AND FENDER WELL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS STILL FULLY INFLATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AAA WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE TIRE, BUT ALL OF THE REMAINING TIRES ALSO SHOWED EVIDENCE OF TREAD SEPARATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Engine
Filed Sep 26, 2016133,003 milesCA

DRIVING ALONG LOUD NOISE PULLED OVER TO FIND A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK TAKING THE THREADS WITH IT. NO FIRE THANK GOODNESS!

Engine
Filed May 26, 2015105,000 milesKY

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HEARD A LOUD POP. THE ENGINE HAD A VERY ABRUPT LOSS IN POWER AND BEGAN SHAKING AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE. I WAS ON A 2 LANE ROAD AND HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO TRY AND MAINTAIN MY SPEED TO PREVENT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT FROM BEING REAR ENDED. AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL MILES TO A PLACE I COULD SAFELY STOP, I CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AN A SPARK PLUG HAD BEEN SHOT FROM THE ENGINE. AFTER REVIEWING THIS ON THE WEB, THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE WHERE SPARK PLUGS WERE SHOT OUT OF ENGINES. NHTSA NEEDS TO EVALUATE THIS AS REVIEW. HAD THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN AND I HAD NO WHERE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THIS IS A RESULT OF AN CYLINDER HEAD WITH INADEQUATE THREADS FOR SPARK PLUGS TO THREAD INTO AND TAKE HOLD OVER TIME THE ALUMINUM WEAKENS AND THIS HAPPENS. IF THIS WASN'T A PROBLEM WHY DID FORD REDESIGN CYLINDER HEADS AFTER THESE MODEL ENGINES TO ACCOMMODATE MORE THREADING TO HOLD THE SPARK PLUGS IN THE ENGINE?

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 20, 2015248,000 milesVA

VEHICLE STALLED AT 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 11, 201480,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BED OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND CAUSED SHARP EDGES TO DEVELOP. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UTILIZE THE BED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 2, 2014MA

I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY MY 2003 FORD F350 SD. SC. 4X4 5.4 ENG. WITH THE PROBLEM WITH BOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLDS ROTTING AWAY & THE STUDS & NUTS THAT HOLD THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS TO ENGINE HEADS THAT THEY WERE ALL ROTTING AWAY , THEY TOLD ME WE WON'T FIX THE PROBLEMS FOR FREE . I WOULD LIKE FOR TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE MANY PEOPLE WILL GET INJURY OR MANY FATALITY WILL HAPPEN WHEN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS FALL OFF AND CATCH ON FIRE & BURN UP BECAUSE FIRE COMES OUT OF THE ENGINE TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS . I TALKED TO MANY FORD DEALERS THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED MANY OF THESE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS I HAVE & HAD TO CHARGE THE OWNER OF THESE TRUCKS & MANY OTHER YEARS OF THESE FORD TRUCKS . PLEASE HELP ME & MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THESE FORD TRUCKS TO MAKE FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECALL THIS PROBLEMS BEFORE PEOPLE WILL DIE & FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR FREE . THANKS *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 10, 201440,000 milesOK

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 27, 201415,000 milesMD

CRACKED "Y" PIPE IS LEAKING DIESEL EXHAUST FUMES INTO CAB OF TRUCK. THIS OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY WHEN THE TRUCK WAS UNDER WARRANTY BACK IN 2004 BUT NOW IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY NOR IS THERE A RECALL. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP TO SEVERAL DEALERS IN THE AREA BUT UNLESS IT IS UNDER WARRANTY THEY WON'T COVER THE REPAIR. HOWEVER, I FEEL IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD WHICH I FEEL SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY, AS DIESEL FUMES ARE LINKED TO CANCER OR COULD LEAK TO AN ACCIDENT IF SOMEONE IS OVERCOME BY THE FUMES, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A DEATH. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS HAZARD AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER. I DO KNOW FROM TALKING TO MECHANICS THAT THIS DOES OCCUR OFTEN IN THESE TRUCKS.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Jan 30, 2014283,000 milesVA

I THOUGHT MY FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE AND TAPED THE REAR END OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. SCRATCHED THE BUMPER OF THE CAR I TAPPED. I WAS ON I 95S TOWARDS FREDERICKSBURG, VA WHEN MY BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TAPED BRAKE AND THE PEDAL ALMOST WENT TO THE FLOOR, BUT I DID HAVE SOME BRAKING. GOT THE TRUCK TO THE REPAIR SHOP, DIAGNOSED WILL HOLE IN BRAKE LINE CAUSED BY RUST. REPLACED 18 FT OF LINE. *TR

Engine
Filed Oct 4, 2013130,000 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL WAS FOUND TO BE PREMATURELY LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE HEAD GASKET HEAD BOLTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

20 of 90 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201491010Routine
201376140Routine
2012149420Routine
2011136430Routine
20100100Routine
200928300Routine
2008131990Routine
200736510Routine
2006145641Fatalities reported
2005114530Routine
2004159352Fatalities reported
2003 — this page90380Routine
2002116372Fatalities reported
20011606111Fatalities reported
2000304590Above average
19994131393Fatalities reported
199812102Fatalities reported
19971554110Routine
19961304150Routine
19951343132Fatalities reported
199495760Routine
1993101950Routine
199252751Fatalities reported
199131740Routine
199039731Fatalities reported

Compare every F-350 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 13, 2011. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.