VehicleVerdict

2003 Ford F-250 Sd problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 229 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.5 times the median F-250 Sd year — the 2003 model ranks #8 of 36 F-250 Sd years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 80 reports (35% of the total).

229

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

5

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

14

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other F-250 Sd years?

F-250 Sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted381 complaints1991: 1 complaints1992: 3 complaints1993: 4 complaints1994: 2 complaints1995: 12 complaints1996: 11 complaints1997: 52 complaints1998: 1 complaints1999: 304 complaints2000: 277 complaints2001: 331 complaints2002: 282 complaints2003: 229 complaints2004: 345 complaints2005: 381 complaints2006: 353 complaints2007: 85 complaints2008: 175 complaints2009: 33 complaints2010: 48 complaints2011: 189 complaints2012: 97 complaints2013: 32 complaints2014: 37 complaints2015: 31 complaints2016: 15 complaints2017: 119 complaints2018: 23 complaints2019: 13 complaints2020: 4 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 5 complaints2023: 76 complaints2024: 52 complaints2025: 19 complaints2026: 13 complaints
F-250 Sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-250 Sd years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Ford F-250 Sd problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine8035%
Fuel System2410%
Tires & Wheels209%
Transmission209%
Electrical System177%
Steering167%
Brakes136%
Suspension125%
Speed Control104%
Other94%
Body & Structure42%
Lighting21%
Seats10%
Visibility & Wipers10%

Does the 2003 Ford F-250 Sd have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V352000LightingJuly 13, 2011 · 26,715 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

09V399000Speed ControlOctober 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

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.

07E106000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2007 · 130,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

07V553000EngineDecember 5, 2007 · 1,176,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

07V078000Speed ControlMarch 6, 2007 · 155,584 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence

OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE, BURN, OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

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)

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE TRUCK STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS OCCUR, THE TRUCK LOSES ALL POWER, INCLUDING BRAKES AND STEERING. THIS HAS RESULTED IN TWO ACCIDENTS. IN ONE OF THE ACCIDENTS, THE TRUCK WENT INTO A DITCH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 16, 2003 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN REDUCTION IN THE ENGINE POWER AND THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. A CHEMICAL BURNING ODOR EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 8, 2012 · fire

“ALL 4 TIRES HAD VERY POOR TRACTION WHICH RESULTED IN THE TRUCK SKIDDING ON WET ROADS. A TIRE SHOP INDICATED THE PROBLEM OCCURRED BECAUSE THE OUTSIDE RIBS OF THE TIRES HAD NO GROOVES IN THEM, SO THE RAIN, ETC., COULD DRAIN. THE LIQUID WAS TRAPPED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HYDRO-PLANE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 3, 2003

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF WITH THE SHIFTER IN PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF PARK AND INDEPENDENTLY BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY BACKWARD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE TO STOP IT BUT WAS KNOCKED TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 3, 2010 · crash

“F250 FORD DIESEL CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM AS OF DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN TUSCALOOSA, AL IN JANUARY FOR REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED FOR A BURNING SMELL AND SAID IT WAS THE FUEL FILTER. THEY REPLACED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 11, 2005 · fire

2003 Ford F-250 Sd — common questions

Is the 2003 Ford F-250 Sd reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 229 complaints put the 2003 model at #8 of 36 F-250 Sd years. It is one of the F-250 Sd years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 F-250 Sd problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (80 complaints), fuel system (24 complaints), tires & wheels (20 complaints).

Does the 2003 Ford F-250 Sd have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Ford F-250 Sd. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Ford F-250 Sd under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford F-250 Sd years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-250 Sd years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2004, 2001, 1999, 2002, 2000, 2003, 2011, 2008, 2017, 2012, 2007, 2023, 2015, 2018, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021. The cleanest record among F-250 Sd years belongs to 1998.

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.