VehicleVerdict

2003 Ford F-550 Sd problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 40 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.0 times the median F-550 Sd year — the 2003 model ranks #6 of 34 F-550 Sd years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: fuel system issues account for 48% of all reports (19 of 40), far ahead of engine at 8.

40

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other F-550 Sd years?

See all F-550 Sd years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Ford F-550 Sd problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System1948%
Engine820%
Tires & Wheels38%
Suspension25%
Transmission25%
Speed Control13%
Other13%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)13%
Electrical System13%
Airbags13%
Seat Belts13%

Does the 2003 Ford F-550 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.

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)

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.

TRUCK WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND WAS LOOSING POWER. THEY REPLACED THE GAS TANK INJECTORS AND A PUMP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DIESEL WAS EATING AWAY AT THE LINER OF THE TANK. MY TRUCK IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. IT HAS COST HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX. THE TRUCK IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW FOR SAME PROBLEMS NO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 20, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F550 SUPER DUTY. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS DESCRIBED AS "VIOLENT" WITH FLAMES AT LEAST 70 FEET HIGH. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 9, 2008 · fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F550 SUPER DUTY. THE DEALER NOTICED THAT THE LUG NUTS HOLLOWED OUT THE STEEL RIMS DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION. THE THREE RIMS AND REAR STUDS OF THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 12, 2007

COMPLAINT: THE FRONT AXLE TRAVERSE ROD MOUNTING PLATE THAT IS WELDED TO THE FRONT AXLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS CRACKING AND HAS IN SOME CASES COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF. CAUSE: UNKNOWN CORRECTION: REPLACE ENTIRE FRONT AXLE. RE-USE ALL HUBS AND PARTS. *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 6, 2006

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F550 SUPER DUTY. WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND LUNGES FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ALMOST LUNGED INTO TRAFFIC WHILE AT IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT ON ONE OCCASION. A COMPONENT WAS REPLACED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CONTACT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 30, 2009

2003 Ford F-550 Sd — common questions

Is the 2003 Ford F-550 Sd reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 40 complaints put the 2003 model at #6 of 34 F-550 Sd years. It is one of the F-550 Sd years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 F-550 Sd problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (19 complaints), engine (8 complaints), tires & wheels (3 complaints).

Does the 2003 Ford F-550 Sd have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Ford F-550 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-550 Sd under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford F-550 Sd years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-550 Sd years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2015, 2021, 2020, 2017, 2019, 2016, 2018. The cleanest record among F-550 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.