Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford F-150, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling69
- Power train62
- Electrical system47
- Vehicle speed control32
- Structure32
- Air bags29
- Engine28
- Tires21
- Fuel/propulsion system20
- Fuel system, gasoline20
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 36 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 257 2003 F-150 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 164 people died inside them, and 73 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 Ford F-150 failed the safety check 2.07% of the time — 2% less often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 153,437 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 12 variants: combined 14.3–18.9 L/100 km (about 12–16 mpg US), CO₂ 329–435 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-150 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.7 | 12.5 | 14.3 |
| F-150 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 16.3 | 12.3 | 14.5 |
| F-150 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 16.1 | 12.9 | 14.6 |
| F-150 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 16.9 | 12.7 | 15.0 |
| F-150 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.0 | 13.4 | 15.4 |
| F-150 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.2 | 13.5 | 15.5 |
| F-150 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.8 | 13.6 | 15.9 |
| F-150 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 18.2 | 13.5 | 16.1 |
| F-150 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 18.8 | 14.2 | 16.7 |
| F-150 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 19.0 | 14.4 | 17.0 |
| F-150 NGV · Pickup truck: Standard · Natural gas | 21.1 | 15.7 | 18.6 |
| F-150 # · Pickup truck: Standard · Premium gasoline | 21.4 | 15.9 | 18.9 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2003 Ford F-150.
| 2019420 21 Aug 2019 | Other Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempere… |
| 2011281 1 Aug 2011 | Fuel System On certain 1997-2003 F-150, 2004 F-150 Heritage, 1997-1999 F-250, and 2002-2003 Lincoln Blackwood vehicles that were originally sold in or are currently operate… |
| 2005028 14 Feb 2005 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The condition may occur ei… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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. PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD DEICING CHEMICALS MAY CAUSE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH SECURE THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE.
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.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE PITMAN ARM TO STEERING GEAR RETAINING NUT WAS NOT FULLY TIGHTENED TO THE REQUIRED SPECIFICATION.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 2003 Ford F-150: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 636417 | GUIDANCE FOR CNG TANK INSPECTION FOR VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER DECEMBER 2, 1996. *TT UPDATE. *TT |
| 636180 | SOME VEHICLES WITH 4-WHEEL DISC BRAKES MAY EXHIBIT A MOAN FROM THE REAR BRAKES ON LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATIONS. *TT |
| 625804 | DEDICATED CNG REGULATOR BOWL KIT AVAILABLE. *JG |
| 11001174 | This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019 Escape/MKC/Flex/MKT/Taurus/Transit/Expedition/F-Super Duty, and 2018-2019 EcoSport vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience various SYNC performance related concerns. related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns Phone connection issues Dropped phone connections Applink |
| 10205038 | Safety recall 11S21 - Fuel tank strap fracture - requests for recall service action |
| 10183774 | For 1997-2003 F-150, 2004 F-150 Heritage, 1997-1999 F-250 Light Duty, or 2002-2003 Blackwood vehicles Safety Recall 11S21 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where one or both fuel tank straps could potentially fracture. Strap fracture may result in the fuel tank contacting the ground. If the fuel tank contacts the ground and develops a leak while driving, there is a potential for fire. |
| 10172885 | This SKU is an Oil Dipstick. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the dipstick tube. The dipstick tube inner diameter may be small enough that it prevents installation of the OE dipstick. |
| 10058101 | FORD/LINCOLN: SAFETY RECALL REGARDING HIGH CORROSION AREAS FOR OPERATING, FOR AN EXTENDED TIME, VEHICLES WHERE BOTH OR ONE STRAP OF FUEL TANK CAN FRACTURE, AFTER CONTACTING GROUND. MODEL 1997-99 F250 LD, 1997-03 F150, 2004 F150 HERITAGE, 2002-03 BLACKWOOD. *PE |
| 10056624 | FORD/LINCOLN: SAFETY RECALL ISSUED DUE TO ONE OR BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURING DUE TO BEING IN HIGH CORROSION AREAS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD AND DISLODGING FUEL TANK. MODEL 1997-99 F250, 1997-03 F150, 2004 F150 HERITAGE, 2002-2003 BLACKWOOD. *PE |
| 10024865 | 1999-2008 7.3L/6.0L/6.4L/4.5L DIESEL F-SUPER DUTY - CLEAN THE CHARGE AIR COOLER (CAC) SYSTEM AFTER CERTAIN TURBO OR ENGINE FAILURES - SERVICE TIP. *NJ |
| 10023943 | SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR PROCEDURE--NOT COVERED UNDER NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY. *NJ THIS INCLUDES F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS. UPDATED 2/23/10. *PE |
| 10019949 | WATER-IN-FUEL (WIF) LAMP ON. *TT |
| 10018745 | WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT |
| 10018741 | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1131 AND/OR P1151 - 4.2L ENGINE. *TT |
| 10018062 | COOLANT DEGAS BOTTLE OVERFLOW. *TT |
| 10017892 | REAR AXLE NOISE REPAIR. *TT |
| 10016789 | REAR AXLE NOISE REPAIR. *SC |
| 10014685 | USE OF STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST STUDS IN SERVICE FOR 5.4L 2V ENGINE. *TT |
| 10014666 | INTERMITTENT ROUGH IDLE - NON-COMMANDED EGR (EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE) FLOW. *TT |
| 10014659 | AXLE WHINE HOWL. THIS INCLUDES 1997-05 FORD VEHICLES. *EH |
| 10014275 | A DRIVELINE CLUNK OR BUMP WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP. *TT |
| 10014165 | ALUMINUM CORROSION - SERVICE TIP. *TT |
| 10014138 | SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT |
| 10014086 | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT |
| 10013369 | GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion
CNG REGULATOR LEAK
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation