NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Ford F-550 SD Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 Ford F-550 SD has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 33 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-550 SD. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2003 Ford F-550 SD owner complaints

Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford F-550 SD, describing incidents dated January 21, 2003 to December 31, 2016.

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System 19 complaints
Engine 8 complaints
Equipment 2 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints
Suspension 2 complaints
Air Bags 1 complaint

Of the 33 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 5 a fire; across all 33 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11061627 · Filed January 10, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-550 SD. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE FUEL TANK DISINTEGRATED. THE FLOAT FILTER AND FILTER WERE CLOGGED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (VISION FORD, 1500 S WHITE SANDS BLVD, ALAMOGORDO, NM 88310) AND WAS ADVISED TO…
ODI #10946265 · Filed January 18, 2017
WATTER SEPERATOR VALVE DUMPED FUEL ON THE TURBO CAUSING A FIRE.
ODI #10481643 · Filed October 11, 2012
I HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS ENGINE FAILURES, OF WHICH I HAVE THE RECEIPTS, ON MY F500 FORD WITH THE 6.0 DIESEL ENGINE, AT A COST TO ME OF OVER $7,000. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURES, THE ENGINE WAS ONLY OUT OF WARRANTY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. BECAUSE A DIESEL SHOULD LAST FOR A RELATIVELY LONG…

Read all 33 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2003 Ford F-550 SD in 3 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
Engineering Analysis EA05-003: ENGINE STALLING
Closed November 2, 2005
- Recall 05V-270
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> .

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.

FORD/BATTERY TERMINAL TO ENGINE BLOCK CONNECTION

NHTSA #04V327000 · Electrical System — 12V/24V/48V Battery · NHTSA notice

Reported July 7, 2004 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 83,687 vehicles

Ford campaign 04S15 · Owners notified July 22, 2004 · Vehicles built December 1, 2002 – March 31, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 04S15.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2003 Ford F-550 SD. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

33 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Ford F-550 SD.

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11061627

Incident: January 1, 2015 · Filed: January 10, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-550 SD. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE FUEL TANK DISINTEGRATED. THE FLOAT FILTER AND FILTER WERE CLOGGED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (VISION FORD, 1500 S WHITE SANDS BLVD, ALAMOGORDO, NM 88310) AND WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,550.

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10946265

Fire

Incident: December 31, 2016 · Filed: January 18, 2017

WATTER SEPERATOR VALVE DUMPED FUEL ON THE TURBO CAUSING A FIRE.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Equipment

ODI #10481643

Incident: May 18, 2009 · Filed: October 11, 2012

I HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS ENGINE FAILURES, OF WHICH I HAVE THE RECEIPTS, ON MY F500 FORD WITH THE 6.0 DIESEL ENGINE, AT A COST TO ME OF OVER $7,000. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURES, THE ENGINE WAS ONLY OUT OF WARRANTY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. BECAUSE A DIESEL SHOULD LAST FOR A RELATIVELY LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS, I ASKED FORD TO COVER THE BILL. IN SHORT, FORD WOULD NOT GIVE ME THE TIME OF DAY OR ADMIT TO ANYTHING. I AM VERY CONCERNED AS I DON' T MAKE THE KIND OF MONEY IT TAKES TO CONTINUALLY INVEST IN AN ENGINE THAT SHOULD STILL RUN FINE. I HAVE ALSO DISCUSSED THIS WITH OTHERS THAT OWN THE SAME ENGINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THE TYPE OF PROBLEMS THAT I'VE HAD ARE QUITE COMMON WITH THE 6.0 ENGINE. I HAVE ALL THE RECEIPTS AND EXPECT FORD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT IS CLEARLY A POORLY BUILT ENGINE. I'M ALSO HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER FOR YEARS AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I AWAIT YOUR REPLY AND CAN SEND YOU A COPY OF THE BILLS AND MY CORRESPONDENCE WITH FORD.

Equipment

ODI #10461248

Fire

Incident: March 12, 2012 · Filed: June 11, 2012

NORCOLD CORP. ISSUED SAFETY RECALL # 10E-049 ON/ABOUT OCTOBER 21, 2010 FOR REFRIGERATOR UNITS IN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES FOR A POTENTIAL "FIRE" IN THE COOLING UNIT(S). A CERTIFIED RV DEALER CONFIRMED FIRE DAMAGE TO UNIT OWNED AND OPERATED BY COMPLAINANT . NORCOLD CORP. HAS REFUSED TO HONOR SAFETY RECALL(S) AND REPAIR SAID DAMAGED UNITS. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO THE REFRIGERATOR UNIT ONLY HOWEVER ITS A TOTAL LOST. THERE ARE MILLIONS OF SIMILAR DEFECTIVE REFRIGERATOR UNITS BEING USED ON THE NATIONAL'S HIGHWAYS BY UNSUSPECTING RV OWNERS POSING A SERIOUS SAFETY AND HAZARDOUS POTENTIAL FOR A CATASTROPHIC EVENT THAT WILL ENDANGER THE TRAVELING PUBLIC. *TR

Fuel System, Diesel

ODI #10418001

Incident: August 2, 2011 · Filed: August 8, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK INNER LINING WAS DE-LAMINATING AND BEING DRAWN INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY, THE CONTACT DECIDED TO DE-LAMINATE THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

Fuel System, Diesel

ODI #10389840

Incident: November 23, 2010 · Filed: March 11, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD DELAMINATED AND CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO CLOGGED UP. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND STALL WHILE DRIVING UPHILL. THE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $900 TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK SINCE THERE WERE NO WARRANTIES OR RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Fuel System, Diesel

ODI #10360708

Incident: October 13, 2010 · Filed: October 15, 2010

I HAVE 2 FORD F550 TRUCKS (2001,2003). BOTH TRUCKS WITH VERY LOW MILEAGE (37K, 56K MILES). BOTH DIESEL ENGINES. BOTH HAVE ONLY HAD EITHER SHELL OR CHEVRON FUEL PUT IN THEM. NO BIO FUELS. THE INTERIOR OF BOTH MY TRUCKS FUEL TANKS ARE DELAMINATING AND CAUSING THE VARIOUS FUEL FILTERS TO CLOG WITH A METALLIC DEBRIS AND RUST. FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS BLAMING THE DELAMINATING ON THE FUEL USED IN THE TRUCKS. MY DEALER (WESTLIE FORD, CAMAS, WASHINGTON) WHERE I PURCHASED THESE TRUCKS CANNOT WARRANTY THE REPLACEMENT TANKS NEEDED TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC FOR FORD MOTOR COMPANY! WORD HAS IT FORD HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH THE NEW COATING ON THE NEW TANKS BUT, I CAN FIND NO ANNOUNCEMENT FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAYING SO. AVERAGE COST TO REPLACE THIS TANK RUNS BETWEEN $1,500 - $2,500 DOLLARS. HOW MANY PEOPLE MUST DIE WHEN THEIR FUEL SYSTEMS GET CLOGGED BY THE DELAMINATING PARTICLES OF THE FUEL TANK AND STOP DEAD ON A FREEWAY OR FOGGY NIGHT? FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM! *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10353454

Incident: September 21, 2004 · Filed: September 2, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SEVERE LOSS OF POWER AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE, DUE TO THE UNISON RINGS FAILING. THE RINGS ARE A PART OF THE TURBO CHARGER ON THE ENGINE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED TWICE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN FAILURE AND THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER PLACED NICKEL PLATED RINGS INSTEAD OF THE STEEL RINGS ON THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE RESOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1038 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9500.

Tires

ODI #10351117

Incident: March 1, 2010 · Filed: August 22, 2010

HERCULES S-209 TIRE BLEW ALL TREAD LOST MAJOR SEPARATIONS OTHER TIRES NOTICE WIDESPREAD MINOR CRACKING. *TR

Fuel System, Diesel

ODI #10334114

Incident: July 15, 2009 · Filed: June 1, 2010

FUEL TANK DELAMINATION. CLOGS FUEL SYSTEM, AND TRASHES INJECTORS AND PUMPS. NEW TANK, INJECTORS, PUMP. CLEAN FUEL SYSTEM. FORD SAYS BIOFUEL, NEVER USE BIOFUEL. *TR

Other Ford F-550 SD model years

Check your 2003 Ford F-550 SD VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford F-550 SD at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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