VehicleVerdict

2003 Ford F-350 Sd problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 164 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.4 times the median F-350 Sd year — the 2003 model ranks #6 of 34 F-350 Sd years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 56 reports (34% of the total).

164

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

5

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other F-350 Sd years?

See all F-350 Sd years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Ford F-350 Sd problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine5634%
Fuel System2515%
Tires & Wheels1912%
Electrical System1610%
Transmission138%
Brakes85%
Steering74%
Speed Control74%
Other32%
Lighting32%
Body & Structure32%
Suspension21%
Seat Belts11%
Airbags11%

Does the 2003 Ford F-350 Sd have recalls?

5 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)

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

ON 05/31/2013 AFTER DRIVING APROX 50 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRUCK WAS PARKED AND A SMALL FIRE STARTED DUE TO LEAKING OIL ON THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM FROM A RUSTED OIL PAN. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BEFORE IT CONSUMED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 31, 2013 · fire

SLUGGISH, CHUGGING, STALLING OF VEHICLE. HAD INJECTOR CHANGED BY FORD. PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN ON 1/19/2007 THEY SAID LINING IN TANK WAS COMING APART IN THE FUEL TANK. FORD CHANGED 3 INJECTORS, FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTERS AND FUEL TANK. IS HAS NOW HAPPENED AGAIN 11/7/2008 AND IS NO LONGER UNDER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 20, 2006

TRUCK STARTS TO HAVE A VIBRATION AND AT HIGHER SPEED GETS WORSE BY THE TIME YOU THINK IT MAY BE A BAD TIRE YOU MAY GET PULLED OVER BEFORE IT BLOWS OUT OR IT BLOWS DOING EXTENSIVE VEHICLE DAMAGE BEFORE YOU GET STOPPED. BETWEEN 04/15/09 TO 08/16/12 I PURCHASED 6 UNIROYAL LAREDO 265/75R16 TIRES FOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 28, 2015 · crash

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. CONSUMER PLUGGED THE FRONT VEHICLE HEATER IN AND WENT INTO THE HOUSE. LATER, THE DOG STARTED TO BARK. CONSUMER LOOKED OUT, AND THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 21, 2004 · fire

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO PARK, THERE IS A VERY LOUD CLANKING, METAL TO METAL NOISE. THERE IS A METALLIC SOUND THAT OCCURS ALL THE TIME, BUT IS VERY NOTICEABLE WHILE SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO PARK. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS. ALL THREE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 17, 2006

2003 Ford F-350 Sd — common questions

Is the 2003 Ford F-350 Sd reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 164 complaints put the 2003 model at #6 of 34 F-350 Sd years. It is one of the F-350 Sd years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 F-350 Sd problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (56 complaints), fuel system (25 complaints), tires & wheels (19 complaints).

Does the 2003 Ford F-350 Sd have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Ford F-350 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-350 Sd under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Ford F-350 Sd years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-350 Sd years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2001, 2000, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2022, 2008, 2002, 2017, 2010, 2011, 2024, 2023, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2018, 2020. The cleanest record among F-350 Sd years belongs to 1996.

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.