VehicleVerdict

2003 Ford F-350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 100 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.6 times the median F-350 year — the 2003 model ranks #25 of 53 F-350 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 26 reports (26% of the total).

100

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other F-350 years?

F-350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted729 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 2 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 3 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 4 complaints1986: 17 complaints1987: 8 complaints1988: 34 complaints1989: 55 complaints1990: 63 complaints1991: 34 complaints1992: 74 complaints1993: 129 complaints1994: 126 complaints1995: 191 complaints1996: 167 complaints1997: 188 complaints1998: 16 complaints1999: 531 complaints2000: 367 complaints2001: 181 complaints2002: 140 complaints2003: 100 complaints2004: 216 complaints2005: 170 complaints2006: 206 complaints2007: 56 complaints2008: 176 complaints2009: 55 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 204 complaints2012: 252 complaints2013: 110 complaints2014: 150 complaints2015: 289 complaints2016: 290 complaints2017: 729 complaints2018: 304 complaints2019: 721 complaints2020: 234 complaints2021: 119 complaints
F-350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-350 years to avoid →

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

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2626%
Speed Control1313%
Fuel System1010%
Electrical System1010%
Brakes88%
Tires & Wheels88%
Steering66%
Airbags44%
Transmission33%
Other33%
Seat Belts22%
Body & Structure22%
Suspension22%
Seats11%
Lighting11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2003 Ford F-350 have recalls?

3 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.

07E066000Electrical SystemAugust 28, 2007 · 175 units

Defect

CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.

Consequence

IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.

Remedy

ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

04V327000Electrical SystemJuly 7, 2004 · 83,687 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES, THE ENGINE GROUND STUD THAT ATTACHES THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL EYELET TO THE ENGINE BLOCK MAY BE LOOSE.

Consequence

IF THE GROUND WIRE IS LOOSE, ELECTRICAL CURRENT MAY FLOW TO THE RADIO SUPPRESSION STRAP CAUSING IT TO HEAT AND POTENTIALLY MELT OR IGNITE ADJACENT COMPONENTS WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE GROUND STUD AND THE RADIO SUPPRESSION STRAP AND ADJACENT COMPONENTS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND REPLACED, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE CONSUMER TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE CONSUMER WAITED A COUPLE OF HOURS, WENT OUT AND THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. FOUR DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN, LATER ON, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 20, 2004 · fire

“WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING WHILE IN TRAFFIC VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, CAUSING A COLLISION WITH A TREE. THERE WERE MINOR INJURIES. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 15, 2003 · crash

“WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE DIESEL FUEL FLOWED INTO THE CRANK CASE. THERE HAS BEEN AN EXPLOSION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN FUEL FLOWED INTO THE CRANK CASE THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE SHUT OFF UNTIL THE FUEL WAS EXHAUSTED. THE DEALER HAS SINCE FIXED THE PROBLEM.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 12, 2003 · fire

“DT: WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO START THE VEHICLE IT WOULDN'T START. THE VEHICLE SAT FOR OVER 12 HOURS. IT HAD JUST COME OUT OF THE SHOP AND IT HAD A DOWN STRAP INSTALLED. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. ALL THE CONTENTS OF THE TRUCK WERE DESTROYED. BOTH THE POLICE AND FIRE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 1, 2004 · fire

“PLOW AND SALT TRUCK FOR ROAD DEPARTMENT. HAS DUMP BOX INSTALLED. ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE PREMATURLY, EXTREMELY POOR STOPPING IN SNOWY CONDITIONS. FRONT END FEELS LIGHT AND "SQUIRLY" EVEN WITH EMPTY BED. WORKERS REFUSE TO OPERATE. DEEMED "UNSAFE". TOOK TO DEALER TWICE, THEY SAY BRAKES ARE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 15, 2004 · crash

2003 Ford F-350 — common questions

Is the 2003 Ford F-350 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 100 complaints put the 2003 model at #25 of 53 F-350 years. It is one of the F-350 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 F-350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (26 complaints), speed control (13 complaints), fuel system (10 complaints).

Does the 2003 Ford F-350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Ford F-350. 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 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford F-350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-350 years to avoid are 2017, 2019, 1999, 2000, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2020, 2004, 2006, 2011, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2008, 2005, 1996, 2014, 2002, 1993, 1994, 2021, 2013, 2003. The cleanest record among F-350 years belongs to 2010.

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.