NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Ford F-250 SD Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 Ford F-250 SD has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 178 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Ford F-250 SD. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2003 Ford F-250 SD owner complaints

Owners have filed 178 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford F-250 SD, describing incidents dated June 5, 2002 to June 26, 2019.

Most-cited components

Engine 74 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 24 complaints
Power Train 20 complaints
Tires 19 complaints
Steering 15 complaints
Electrical System 14 complaints

Of the 178 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 10 a fire; across all 178 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11230742 · Filed July 10, 2019
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…
ODI #11150844 · Filed November 11, 2018
THE REAR FUEL TANK STRAP FAILED WHILE TRAVELING ON A STATE HIGHWAY.
ODI #10935359 · Filed December 14, 2016
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…

Read all 178 complaints

Owner-reported

2003 Ford F-250 SD mileage at failure

156 of the 178 complaints on file for the 2003 Ford F-250 SD give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Engine	Median 60,000 miles	Middle half 2,000–85,000 miles	Based on 65 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2003 Ford F-250 SD in 5 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA06-012: ENGINE STALLING
Closed December 7, 2007
- Recall 07V-553
Defect Petition DP05-005: SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
Closed January 4, 2006
Engineering Analysis EA05-003: ENGINE STALLING
Closed November 2, 2005
- Recall 05V-270
Preliminary Evaluation PE04-070: ENGINE STALLING
Closed February 15, 2005
Engineering Analysis EA04-006: ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (ETC)
Closed February 10, 2005

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

STEERING COLUMN MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH/FMVSS 108

NHTSA #11V352000 · Exterior Lighting — Tail Lights · NHTSA notice

Reported July 13, 2011 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 26,715 vehicles

Ford campaign 11C18 · Owners notified August 15, 2011

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD'S SAFETY RECALL NO. 11C18.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS

NHTSA #09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA notice

Reported October 13, 2009 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 4,500,000 vehicles

Ford campaign 09S09 · Owners notified October 27, 2009 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Safety consequence

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Manufacturer remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Notes

FORD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 09S09.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES

NHTSA #07E106000 · Wheels — Hub · NHTSA notice

Reported December 17, 2007 · FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 130,000 vehicles

Owners notified February 7, 2008

Defect description

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Safety consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO REPLACEMENT NATIONAL, CARQUEST WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS OR FORD.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR

NHTSA #07V553000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine — Diesel · NHTSA notice

Reported December 5, 2007 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 1,176,000 vehicles

Ford campaign 07S57 · Owners notified December 29, 2007 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 07S57.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/SUPPLEMENT

NHTSA #07V078000 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA notice

Reported March 6, 2007 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 155,584 vehicles

Ford campaign 05S28 · Owners notified March 12, 2007 · Vehicles built August 1, 2002 – January 6, 2003 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Safety consequence

OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE, BURN, OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017, 05V388, AND 06V286)

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 05S28. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E026000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported March 23, 2006 · PRO-A MOTORS, INC.

Potentially affected: 61,944 vehicles

Owners notified April 3, 2006

Defect description

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Safety consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO PRO-A MOTORS AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS."CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2003 Ford F-250 SD. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

178 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Ford F-250 SD.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11230742

Incident: June 26, 2019 · Filed: July 10, 2019

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 AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11150844

Incident: November 7, 2018 · Filed: November 11, 2018

THE REAR FUEL TANK STRAP FAILED WHILE TRAVELING ON A STATE HIGHWAY.

Wheels

ODI #10935359

Incident: December 11, 2016 · Filed: December 14, 2016

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 ELSE. MY TRUCK IS NOT A WORK TRUCK OR USED FOR MUDDING OR OFF ROAD, IT IS A PAVEMENT PRINCESS DRIVEN BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. I AM WORRIED THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND THAT THE WHEELS ARE NOT SAFE.

Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #10871769

Fire

Incident: April 10, 2012 · Filed: June 1, 2016

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. POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR FIRE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS ADDRESSED AS IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. WE HAD A SMALL ENGINE FIRE CAUSING SLIGHT DAMAGE TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT HAD TO BE REPAIRED.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10825075

Incident: January 4, 2016 · Filed: February 9, 2016

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: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Engine

ODI #10809880

Incident: December 9, 2015 · Filed: December 13, 2015

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.

Engine

ODI #10726943

Incident: May 12, 2010 · Filed: June 23, 2015

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10716410

Incident: May 1, 2014 · Filed: May 14, 2015

1 OF THE TANK STRAPS BUSTED OFF AND THE TANK BEGAN SAGGING AND ALMOST TOUCHING THE GROUND, THUS CAUSING A SEVERE FIRE HAZARD.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10715929

Incident: February 5, 2014 · Filed: May 12, 2015

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 AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V553000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 7/1/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO FIRE, JUST EXCESSIVE PRESSURE IN THE CRANKCASE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BLOW OIL OUT THE GLOW PLUG. UPDATED 03/31/16.*JB

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10652834

Incident: November 5, 2006 · Filed: November 5, 2014

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 DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,919.

Other Ford F-250 SD model years

Check your 2003 Ford F-250 SD VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford F-250 SD at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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