Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2003 Ford F-250 SD
NHTSA data on file today
The 2003 Ford F-250 SD has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 178 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #11V352000 STEERING COLUMN MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH/FMVSS 108 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V399000 SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E106000 REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07V553000 CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07V078000 SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/SUPPLEMENT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E026000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 72 complaints
- Power Train 20 complaints
- Tires 19 complaints
- Steering 15 complaints
- Electrical System 14 complaints
- Suspension 10 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).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2003 Ford F-250 SD has a moderate number of owner complaints and notable recall campaigns. The recalls suggest issues with speed control and exterior lighting. Complaints primarily involve engine cooling and powertrain systems, indicating a mixed reliability outlook. However, the data is insufficient to make a comprehensive judgment, suggesting an average rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine cooling | Unknown | $300–$1,200 | common |
| Powertrain | Unknown | $500–$2,500 | occasional |
| Vehicle speed control | Unknown | $200–$1,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid and pads
- Cooling system checks
- Transmission service
- Tire rotations and balance
- Steering system check
- Suspension inspection
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine coolant leaks
- Transmission slipping
- Warning lights on dash
- Steering vibrations
- Brake pedal softness
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2003 Ford F-250 SD at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.