Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2003 Ford F-250
NHTSA data on file today
The 2003 Ford F-250 has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 116 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 #09E025000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E066000 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS/TOW ASSEMBLIE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E052000 FMVSS 108/INSUFFICIENT LIGHTING VISIBILITY NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E049000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V327000 FORD/BATTERY TERMINAL TO ENGINE BLOCK CONNECTION NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 24 complaints
- Tires 20 complaints
- Electrical System 13 complaints
- Engine 13 complaints
- Power Train 12 complaints
- Steering 11 complaints
Of the 116 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 8 a fire; across all 116 complaints, owners report 4 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$10,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2003 Ford F-250 has a below-average reliability rating primarily due to recurring complaints about engine cooling and electrical issues. The vehicle also had a safety recall related to battery connections, further supporting the electrical system's susceptibility to failure. Owners frequently report problems with the brakes and tires, adding to maintenance concerns.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine cooling system | 70,000–100,000 miles | $800–$1,500 | common |
| electrical system | 60,000–90,000 miles | $300–$750 | common |
| service brakes | 50,000–80,000 miles | $400–$900 | common |
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 change
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission fluid change
- Coolant flush
- Tire rotation and alignment
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine overheating
- Dim or flickering lights
- Unusual braking noises
- Check engine light
- Frequent battery issues
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2003 Ford F-250 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.