What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2003 Ford F-150

Typical pattern

8.8% of complaints about the 2003 Ford F-150 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2003 vehicle — around the middle of the 228 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 7.1 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine cooling (69 complaints), typically at 6.8 yr or about 93,000 miles.

Complaints
501
Median age at failure
7.1 yr
Median mileage
66,879 n=378
Crash / fire / tow
20.8% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine cooling
69 reports · 93,000 mi
6.8 yr
1.4%
Power train
61 reports · 40,000 mi
2.5 yr
13.1%
Electrical system
47 reports · 60,000 mi
5.6 yr
34%
Structure
33 reports · 70,000 mi
9.8 yr
12.1%
Speed control
31 reports · 85,000 mi
7.6 yr
29%
Air bags
28 reports · 90,000 mi
9.0 yr
89.3%
Engine
28 reports · 139,652 mi
13.8 yr
25%
Service brakes, hydraulic
20 reports · 16,000 mi
1.8 yr
5%
Tires
20 reports · 61,000 mi
5.8 yr
15%
Fuel system
20 reports · 105,000 mi
8.7 yr
10%
Fuel / propulsion
20 reports · 160,000 mi
14.1 yr
15%
Other
18 reports · 56,700 mi
13.9 yr
50%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

11V385000 2011-07-29
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY FAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL LINES TO SEPARATE FROM THE TANK, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSING THE TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND. EITHER SCENARIO MAY RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD.

09E025000 2009-05-11
Exterior lighting:headlights

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

09E012000 2009-04-07
Exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

08E050000 2008-08-11
Exterior lighting:headlights

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

07E066000 2007-08-28
Equipment:electrical

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.

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

07V336000 2007-08-03
Speed control

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

07V078000 2007-03-06
Speed control

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

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

06E067000 2006-08-01
Exterior lighting:headlights

CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 331-1129L-ASN AND 331-1129R-ASN, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

06E056000 2006-06-13
Fuel system

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

06E052000 2006-06-12
Exterior lighting:headlights

CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMPS, P/NOS. FR208-B101R, FR208-B101L, FR208-B001R, AND FR208-B001L, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

In owners’ own words

Other 1,600 mi 1.0 yr in service
I WAS WIPING THE INTERIOR OF MY TRUCK AND CUT MYSELF ON A SHARP EDGE. THE ITEM THAT CUT ME WAS A BADGE/LOGO WHICH IS AFFIXED TO A SOFT COVER ON THE CENTER CONSOLE OF MY TRUCK. MY TRUCK IS A 2003 FORD F-150 HARLEY DAVISON EDITION. I WOULD NOT NORMALLY COMPLAIN ABOUT A BUMP OR BRUISE I WOULD GET WORKING ON A VEHICLE. THIS DECORATIVE BADGE ON THE CONSOLE IS SO SHARP THAT IT CUT THROUGH THE TOWEL I WAS WIPING WITH AND THEN INTO MY FINGER. THIS BADGE IS IN AN AREA WHERE PEOPLE WOULD NORMALLY CONTACT THE VEHICLE TO OPEN THE CONSOLE, AND IT IS VERY UNSAFE. *JB
Other 24,000 mi 1.3 yr in service crash / fire / tow
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION . THEN, IT COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY POLE AND ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. CONSUMER SUSTAINED CRACKED RIBS AND WAS HOSPITALIZED. POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE. *AK *LA
Other mileage not reported 3.6 yr in service crash / fire / tow
2003 F150 TRUCK BED CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS *JB THE TRUCK BURNED TO THE FRAME. *NM
Engine cooling 6,998 mi 11 mo in service
I HAVE A 2003 SUPERCHARGED HARLEY TRUCK,THE CONCERN IS THAT ALL EIGHT SPARK PLUGS WERE DARK RED IN COLOR AND VEHICLE WAS MISSING HORRIBLY UNDER A LOAD WITH THE A/C ON OR OFF.THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT,AND VEHICLE FUEL ECONOMY DIPPED TO 11MPG ON HIGHWAY.IT ALMOST FELT LIKE A TORQUE CONVERTER GOING SOUTH.THE VEHICLE GETS SUNOCO ULTRA 94 ONLY AND IS BABIED.THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 7K ON IT.P.S IAM ALSO THE FOREMAN AT A LARGE FORD DEALER.I HAE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE,UNLESS HIGH OCTANE ADDITIVES WERE USED.WHAT CAUSED THIS.NO ONE AT FORD KNOWS. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH MY 44K TRUCK*AK

Other F-150 model years

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