Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford F-250, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling24
- Tires20
- Engine13
- Electrical system13
- Power train12
- Steering11
- Service brakes8
- Vehicle speed control8
- Service brakes, hydraulic7
- Suspension6
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 4 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 112 2003 F-250 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 42 people died inside them, and 39 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-250 failed the safety check 1.00% of the time — 52% less often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 155,864 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 2003 Ford F-250.
| 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 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.
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.
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-250: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10014086 | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT |
| 10014083 | MEMONTARY RETURN TO IDLE DURING AGGRESSIVE ACCELERATION - DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0123. *TT |
| 10013413 | VEHICLE LEAN SAG WHEN OBSERVED FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. *EH |
| 10013369 | GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT |
| 10013316 | A COLD WEATHER REVERSE ENGAGEMENT STALL. *TT |
| 10013116 | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED - SYSTEM LEAN DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) - SERVICE TIPS. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2004 F-SERIES. *TT |
| 10012965 | SERVICE TIPS BEFORE ARC WELDING ON THE FRAME OR BODY OF A UNIT. *TT |
| 10012958 | LACK OF POWER, SURGE, AND/OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P2263 OR P0299. *TT |
| 10011181 | LOW POWER AND/OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0299 OR P2263 - TURBOCHARGER DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE TIP. *TT |
| 10010734 | VACUUM PUMP INOPERATIVE OR RUNS CONTINUOUSLY - CLIMATE CONTROL DEFAULTS TO DEFROST. OASIS. TO ALSO INCLUDE 2005 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES, EXCURSION, AND F650/750. *TT |
| 10010731 | MULTIPLE VEHICLES - FUEL LEVEL INDICATION CONCERNS - SERVICE TIP. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2005 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES, EXCURSION, EXPEDITION, EXPLORER, MOUNTAINEER AND AVIATOR. *TT |
| 10008594 | EQUIPPED WITH 100I DUAL MEDIA RADIO - SPEED ADJUST VOLUME FUNCTION NOT SUPPORTED. *MJ OWNER GUIDE UPDATE. *TT |
| 10008581 | COOLING SYSTEM-MOTORCRAFT PREMIUM GOLD ENGINE COOLANT-SERIVCE TIPS. *MJ |
| 10008341 | 6.0L DIESEL ENGINE POWER MODULE (DEPM) FUEL INJECTOR CONTROL MODULE MONITOR TRAILER TOW WIRING IS NOT REIMBURSABLE. *MJ |
| 10008334 | ENGINE-LIGHT TICK OR RATTLE TYPE NOISE FROM ENGINE AFTER COLD START. *MJ |
| 10008310 | ENGINE-CYLINDER HEAD DECK LEAK-4.6 AND 5.4L ENGINES-NEW SERVICE-ONLY GASKET AND CYLINDER HEAD KITS AVAILABILITY. *MJ |
| 10008255 | NO START OR CONSTANT ENGINE MISFIRE - FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE (FICM) DIAGNOSIS - 6.0L DIESEL. *TT |
| 10008201 | WARNING INDICATORS-PARKING AID-REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM (RSS) AND FORWARD SENSING SYSTEM (FSS)-FALSE ACTIVATION OF WARNING TONE-SERVICE TIPS. *MJ UPDATE. *TT |
| 10008119 | OIL/DUST FILM AT CAC CONNECTIONS. *MJ |
| 10008118 | LOW CHARGING SYSTEM VOLTAGE WHILE SNOW PLOWING. *MJ |
| 10008109 | HARSH ENGAGEMENT OR SHIFT ISSUES WITH PULSATING COOLER LINES AND ERRATIC LINE PRESSURE. *MJ |
| 10008107 | LACK OF POWER AND/OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0103 - AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM WATER/SNOW DEFLECTOR KIT. *MJ |
| 10008106 | WATER IN FUEL LIGHT ON, WHICH DOES NOT TURN OFF AFTER WATER HAS BEEN DRAINED FROM THE HORIZONTAL FUEL CONDITIONING MODULE (HFCM). *MJ |
| 10007425 | CLIMATE CONTROL DEFAULTS TO DEFROST. *TT |
| 10007424 | OIL LEAK FROM FRONT OR REAR OF ENGINE. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
ENGINE STALLING
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation