NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Ford F-350 SD Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 Ford F-350 SD has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 132 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-350 SD. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2003 Ford F-350 SD owner complaints

Owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford F-350 SD, describing incidents dated February 28, 2003 to August 18, 2018.

Most-cited components

Engine 55 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 24 complaints
Electrical System 15 complaints
Tires 15 complaints
Power Train 13 complaints
Steering 7 complaints

Of the 132 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 132 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11166045 · Filed January 9, 2019
FUEL TANK DELAMINATION LEADING TO STALLING AND EVENTUAL REPLACEMENT OF THE TANK AT MY COST
ODI #11141798 · Filed October 22, 2018
WHILE PREPARING FOR A CAMPING TRIP THIS PASS SUMMER, I WENT TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL. WHEN I WENT TO REMOVE THE OIL DIPSTICK, THE DIPSTICK TUBE BROKE, DUE TO CORROSION. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN MY 25 YEARS OF OWNING A VEHICLE FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. IT WOULD BE ALRIGHT, BUT IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE TUBE…
ODI #11005857 · Filed July 17, 2017
I PURCHASED LT265/75/16 BF GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A TIRES FOR MY TRUCK EXACTLY 5 YEARS AND JUST OVER 21K MILES LATER I HAD 2 SEPARATE TIRE FAILURES LESS THAN A FEW HUNDRED MILES APART. FIRST TIRE A BELT SLIPPED. HAD A GIANT BULGE IN THE TREAD. I PUT MY SPARE ON AND INSPECTED THE OTHER TIRES. ALL…

Read all 132 complaints

Owner-reported

2003 Ford F-350 SD mileage at failure

109 of the 132 complaints on file for the 2003 Ford F-350 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 30,000 miles	Middle half 9,000–70,000 miles	Based on 47 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-350 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.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2003 Ford F-350 SD. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

132 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Ford F-350 SD.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11166045

Incident: February 20, 2017 · Filed: January 9, 2019

FUEL TANK DELAMINATION LEADING TO STALLING AND EVENTUAL REPLACEMENT OF THE TANK AT MY COST

Power Train; Unknown or Other; Engine

ODI #11141798

Incident: August 18, 2018 · Filed: October 22, 2018

WHILE PREPARING FOR A CAMPING TRIP THIS PASS SUMMER, I WENT TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL. WHEN I WENT TO REMOVE THE OIL DIPSTICK, THE DIPSTICK TUBE BROKE, DUE TO CORROSION. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN MY 25 YEARS OF OWNING A VEHICLE FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. IT WOULD BE ALRIGHT, BUT IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE TUBE, IT IS REQUIRED TO REMOVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO PROPERLY REPLACE IT. IN TURN IT COST MORE MONEY TO REPLACE A PRODUCT THAT SHOULD NOT BREAK. I WAS FUELING MY TRUCK AND WANTED TO CHECK ALL MY FLUIDS.

Wheels

ODI #11005857

Incident: July 16, 2017 · Filed: July 17, 2017

I PURCHASED LT265/75/16 BF GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A TIRES FOR MY TRUCK EXACTLY 5 YEARS AND JUST OVER 21K MILES LATER I HAD 2 SEPARATE TIRE FAILURES LESS THAN A FEW HUNDRED MILES APART. FIRST TIRE A BELT SLIPPED. HAD A GIANT BULGE IN THE TREAD. I PUT MY SPARE ON AND INSPECTED THE OTHER TIRES. ALL OK. NO CRACKS NO DRY ROT. I HAVE PICS. TIRE PRESSURE SET EQUALLY AT 78 PSI. I WAS AWAY CAMPING AND PULLING A 9000 LB TRAILER. LOCAL TIRE STORE DIDN'T HAVE A REPLACEMENT SO I HEADED HOME FIGURED I WOULD REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER MATCHING TIRE AT HOME. ABOUT 100 MILES LATER WE HAD A SECOND TIRE FAIL. THIS ONE BLEW OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED, CAUSING A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK AND LEFT ME STRANDED WITH NO SPARE. AFTER DOING SO RESEARCH AND READING BFG RECALLS FOR TIRES SIMILAR TO THIS ONE BUT DIFFERENT SIZES, I AM LEFT TO WONDER IF ALL OF THESE SIZES SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL TIRES FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER AS MINE THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED ONLY BECAUSE OF THE SIZE AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. I HAD MY WIFE AND 3 KIDS IN THE TRUCK AND IT WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE PA TURNPIKE. 65 MPH WHILE TOWING A HEAVY TRAILER. SUNNY. 85* DAY. THE BULGED TIRE HAPPENED A LOW SPEED. 25 MPH ON BACK ROADS. ALL OF THESE TIRES SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL IT IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE THEM ON THE ROAD.

Tires

ODI #10874730

Incident: June 12, 2016 · Filed: June 16, 2016

TIRE FAILURE. DESTROYED MY OUTER FENDER ON 2003 F350 DUALLY DAMAGED INCLUDED, OUTER FENDER, INNER FENDER, DAMAGE TO THE BED OF THE TRUCK, AND DAMAGE TO THE SUPPORT BRACKETS. BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED ABOUT A MONTH AGO. NOT SURE WHEN THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED. MILEAGE ON TIRES IS AN ASSUMPTION

Tires

ODI #10726093

Crash

Incident: May 28, 2015 · Filed: June 18, 2015

TRUCK STARTS TO HAVE A VIBRATION AND AT HIGHER SPEED GETS WORSE BY THE TIME YOU THINK IT MAY BE A BAD TIRE YOU MAY GET PULLED OVER BEFORE IT BLOWS OUT OR IT BLOWS DOING EXTENSIVE VEHICLE DAMAGE BEFORE YOU GET STOPPED. BETWEEN 04/15/09 TO 08/16/12 I PURCHASED 6 UNIROYAL LAREDO 265/75R16 TIRES FOR 2003 F-350 FORD TRUCK. ON 9/15/2910 A TIRE SEPARATED AND HAD A HUGE KNOT AND ADJUSTED WITH A NEW TIRE. ON 8/16/2012 ANOTHER TIRE SEPARATED AND HAD A KNOT IT WAS REPLACED AND ADJUSTED WITH A NEW TIRE. SINCE 2012 EVERY ONE OF THE 6 TIRES HAS SEPARATED AND HAD A KNOT. 2 BLEW COMPLETELY BEFORE I COULD GET STOPPED DOING EXTENSIVE VEHICLE DAMAGE. THE LEFT FRONT BLEW OUT IN MAY OF THIS YEAR TAKING ME DIRECTLY INTO INCOMING TRAFFIC AND ALMOST HITTING A COUPLE HEADON ON A MOTORCYCLE AND THEN ENDING UP IN THE INCOMING VECHICLES ROAD DITCH AT 65 MPH. THE TIRE STORE RECCOMENDED TO NOT USE THE UNIROYAL LAREDOS BECAUSE THIS HAS BECOME A COMMON QA ISSUE WITH THIS TIRE. THE TECHNICIAN SHOWED ME WHERE THE TIRES START TO COME APART. I LEFT 2 UNIROYAL LAREDOS ON THE REAR WHEELS AND THE TIRE TECHINICIAN LOOKED AT THE TIRES AND HE SAID THEY STILL LOOKED OPERABLE IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS LEFT REAR STARTED VIBRATING AND IT HAD A KNOT ON IT. SO NOW ALL UNIROYAL LAREDOS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH BFG TIRES. 6 OUT OF 6 TIRES ALL WENT BAD AND THE TIRE STORES KNOW THESE UNIROYAL TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE AND YET UNIROYAL HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR RECALLED THE TIRE. THIS IS A EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE WHEN A TIRE BLOWS ON THE FRONT YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE TRUCK YOUR JUST A BOMB HEADING TO INCOMING TRAFFIC.

Engine

ODI #10598413

Incident: June 1, 2010 · Filed: June 15, 2014

I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON MY 2003 FORD F350 SD. SC. 4X4 5.4 ENG. WITH THE PROBLEM WITH BOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLDS ROTTING AWAY & THE STUDS & NUTS ROTTING , THEY TOLD ME WE WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM FOR FREE . I WOULD LIKE FOR YOUR HELP TO MAKE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FIX THIS PROBLEMS FOR FREE BECAUSE I TALKED TO MANY FORD DEALERS THEY ARE REPLACING THIS SAME PROBLEMS ON ALL 5.4 ENG. ON FORD TRUCKS AND HAVE TO CHARGE FOR THESE PROBLEMS . PLEASE INVESTAGATE THIS PROBLEMS BEFORE ALL THESE TRUCKS WILL CATCH ON FIRE AND PEOPLE WILL BE INJURY OR FATALITY WILL HAPPEN . PLEASE HELP ME AND MANY PEOPLE CAN GET THESE PROBLEMS FIX FOR FREE FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY THANKS. *JS

Engine

ODI #10523043

Fire

Incident: May 31, 2013 · Filed: July 3, 2013

ON 05/31/2013 AFTER DRIVING APROX 50 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRUCK WAS PARKED AND A SMALL FIRE STARTED DUE TO LEAKING OIL ON THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM FROM A RUSTED OIL PAN. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BEFORE IT CONSUMED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRUCK WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THE COST TO REPAIR 1500.00 TO 2000.00 WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. I AM DISABLED AND ON SOCIAL SECURITY WITH A VERY FIXED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD THE COST OF THIS REPAIR. FROM LOOKING AT ALL THE OTHER POSTS AND LIVING IN MICHIGAN WITH WINTER SALT, FORD HAS RECALLED MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION OF VARIOUS COMPONENTS THAT COULD CAUSE A ACCIDENT OR DEATH. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MAJOR PROBLEM WITH FORD TRUCKS AND OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE 7.3 LITER DIESEL ENGINE. I HAVE CONTACTED MY DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. THE TRUCK IS CURRENTLY PARKED AND UNDRIVEABLE. *TR

Wheels

ODI #10512230

Incident: May 14, 2013 · Filed: May 15, 2013

BOUGHT TRUCK IN 2009 . ABS LIGHT IS ON WANTED TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON HUBS AND IF SO WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT IF TRUCK WAS SERVICED , AND IF NOT HOW WOULD I PROCEED TO DO RECALL . THANK YOU *TR

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10488604

Incident: December 3, 2012 · Filed: December 12, 2012

VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING ONTO ON-RAMP TO INTERSTATE 90 WEST BOUND AT PINES ROAD IN SPOKANE VALLEY WA. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BY MY WIFE. AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THEIR WAS A LOUD BANG AND NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXHAUST LEAK. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT OFF. MY WIFE CALLED ME AND I CAME TO INVESTIGATE WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I TURNED THE ENGINE OVER AND DETERMINED IT WAS NOT AN EXHAUST LEAK BUT THAT A SPARK PLUG HAD BEEN BLOWN OUT OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. IT WAS THE NUMBER 4 SPARK PLUG FROM THE FRONT ON MY V-10 GAS ENGINE. I LOCATED THE BENT SPARK PLUG AT THE APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF WHERE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. OTHER THAN BEING BENT THE THREADS ON THE PLUG WERE INTACT AND DID NOT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN CROSS THREADED. I HAD THE PLUGS REPLACED AT JUST OVER 100,000 MILES AS PER THE OWNERS MANUAL. I CHECKED WITH THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP I USED, (AAFES AUTO HOBBY SHOP ON FAIRCHILD AFB), AND INFORMED THEM OF WHAT HAD OCCURRED. THEY INFORMED ME THAT FORD HAD A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS VERY SUBJECT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THAT REPLACING SPARK PLUGS SHOULD NOT LEAD TO AN EXPLOSIVE EVENT STRONG ENOUGH TO DENT MY HOOD FROM THE INSIDE. I AM NOW EXPECTING TO HAVE 9 MORE LITTLE TIME BOMBS JUST WAITING TO GO OFF UNDER THE HOOD OF MY TRUCK. I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT MY WIFE HADN'T YET GOTTEN UP TO THE SPEED LIMIT OF 60MPH. *TR

Wheels

ODI #10482186

Incident: August 13, 2012 · Filed: October 25, 2012

MY WIFE AND I WERE TAKING OUR SON BACK TO COLLEGE. THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE THAT SOUNDED LIKE THE WARNING FOR YOUR BRAKE PADS, EXCEPT WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES IT DIDN'T STOP. SOUNDED LIKE MY BRAKE ROTOR WAS GRINDING. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC TO HAVE MY BRAKES AND ROTORS CHECKED. THEY WERE FINE, BUT I WAS SURPRISED WHEN MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WASN'T MY BRAKES BUT INSTEAD IT WAS MY ALUMINUM ALLOY RIM (FACTORY RIMS) HAD CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH ONE OF THE SPOKES ON THE RIM AND HAD STARTED CRACKING ABOUT AN 1 1/2" THROUGH ANOTHER! I TOLD MY MECHANIC THAT I HAD NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE IN MY LIFE. MY MECHANIC REPLIED THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS SAME THING ON 5 OR 6 OF THE SUPER DUTY'S. SO, I BROWSED THE INTERNET TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. COME TO FIND OUT THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE EXACT PROBLEM NOT ONLY WITH THE ALUMINUM ALLOY RIMS BUT THE STEEL RIMS AS WELL AND NOT SPECIFIC TO ANY YEAR. FROM FLORIDA TO CALIFORNIA ALL OVER THE U.S. INFORMED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS OF MY FINDINGS AND THERE RESPONSE WAS TO HOLD ON TO MY RECEIPT IN CASE THERE IS A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM (CSP) OR A RECALL EVER PUT IN PLACE. *TR

Other Ford F-350 SD model years

Check your 2003 Ford F-350 SD VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford F-350 SD at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Ford VIN