VehicleVerdict

2003 Ford F-150 transmission problems

The 2003 Ford F-150 has 63 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 12% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

63

Transmission complaints

12%

Share of year

6

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

F-150 transmission complaints by model year1,330 complaints1978: 2 complaints1985: 2 complaints1986: 2 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 10 complaints1989: 9 complaints1990: 15 complaints1991: 14 complaints1992: 30 complaints1993: 50 complaints1994: 64 complaints1995: 81 complaints1996: 29 complaints1997: 156 complaints1998: 88 complaints1999: 84 complaints2000: 47 complaints2001: 79 complaints2002: 53 complaints2003: 63 complaints2004: 245 complaints2005: 114 complaints2006: 48 complaints2007: 59 complaints2008: 51 complaints2009: 33 complaints2010: 123 complaints2011: 819 complaints2012: 673 complaints2013: 1,330 complaints2014: 408 complaints2015: 345 complaints2016: 522 complaints2017: 494 complaints2018: 940 complaints2019: 677 complaints2020: 310 complaints2021: 283 complaints2022: 150 complaints2023: 146 complaints2024: 51 complaints2025: 23 complaints
F-150 transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, SUDDENLY THE RIGHT REAR AXLE BROKE AND SNAPPED OFF. THIS RESULTED IN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE FLYING OFF FOLLOWED BY THE DRIVER LOSING CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND IMPACTING A DITCH . THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISES. *JB THE ENGINEER STATED THAT THE AXLE FLEW OFF ON IMPACT EVEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 7, 2004 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2003 Ford F-150 have?

NHTSA has 63 complaints about the 2003 Ford F-150 transmission — 12% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.