Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford F-550 SD, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Fuel system, diesel15
- Engine and engine cooling6
- Suspension2
- Engine2
- Power train2
- Equipment2
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Air bags1
- Seat belts1
- Vehicle speed control1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
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.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
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-550 SD: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 636163 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A REPEAT STARTER FAILURE CONDITION. *TT |
| 10243490 | When performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV has replaced all versions of MERCON SP and can be used going forward. Mixing MERCON LV and MERCON SP in the same transmission is acceptable. After 30-Jun-2023, MERCON SP ATF will no longer be manufactured and will only be available until inventory depletes. |
| 10189008 | This SKU is a Transmission Line. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the connector. The transmission line connector may have an incorrect thread size, which will prevent it from being installed. |
| 10171326 | This SKU is a Spare Tire Hoist. Test results identified that the pull force parameter was not within specification, as a precautionary measure unsold inventory was requested to be returned for testing and containment. We don't have evidence that these test results have contributed to a product failure. |
| 10171325 | This SKU is a Spare Tire Hoist. Test results identified that the pull force parameter was not within specification, as a precautionary measure unsold inventory was requested to be returned for testing and containment. We don't have evidence that these test results have contributed to a product failure. |
| 10165713 | Some 2002-2008 F-Super Duty, F-150 and Mark LT vehicles may exhibit concern during or after programing the VSM. The programming may fail or vehicle symptoms such as inoperative door locks, dome lamps, door ajar indicators or auto lamps may occur after successful programing. To ensure the VSM is configured correctly, use the Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) scan tool and select the blue ball and socket icon in the upper left corner. Select the utility knife in the bottom left corner. Select Update/Special Function and enter 53061 in the blue box then press the tick mark. The screen will go |
| 10056196 | FORD: WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN PARK, REVERSE AND/OR DURING 2-3 SHIFT, AN INTERMITTENT CLUNK OCCURS WITH A TORQSHIFT TRANSMISSION. MODEL 2003-2014 F-SUPER DUTY, E SERIES, EXCURSION, F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS, LOW CAB FORWARD. *PE |
| 10055648 | FORD: THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM) WHEN USING VCM II, WOULD HAVE AN ERROR CODE 35 AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) B1035, AND DIFFICULTY ATTEMPTING PROGRAMMABLE MODULE INSTALLATION (PMI). MODEL 2001-2004 F-SUPER DUTY. *PE |
| 10055629 | FORD: ON SOME TRUCKS, THERE IS A NO CRANK SITUATION AND IF VOLTAGE ON TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR AT PIN 21, IS LESS THAN 5 VOLTS, DISCONNECT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CLUTCH, ELECTRONICALLY, AND RECHECK VOLTAGE. MODEL 2003-2007 F SUPER DUTY, 2004-2010 E SERIES, 2003-2005 EXCURSION. |
| 10024325 | 6.0L TURBOCHARGER CARBON DEPOSIT DIAGNOSTICS AND SERVICE TIPS. *NJ UPDATED 5/29/08. *NJ |
| 10023855 | 6.0L--MIL ON--P0401, P0402, P0404, P1335--LACK OF POWER OR SURGE WITH SOME 2003-2007 F-SUPER DUTY, 2003-2005 EXCURSION AND 2004-2008 E-SERIES VEHICLES. *NJ |
| 10023653 | 1999-2008 F250-F550 SUPER DUTY 4X4 WITH ELECTRONIC SHIFT TRANSFER CASE NOT ENGAGING 4X4. *NJ |
| 10022295 | DTC'S P006A OR P132B - LACKS POWER, SURGE, OR FLUTTER AFTER FIELD SERVICE ACTION 06E17. *KB |
| 10020069 | MISFIRE, LACK OF POWER, BUCK/JERK, EXCESSIVE SMOKE OR CRANK/NO START. *TT |
| 10019949 | WATER-IN-FUEL (WIF) LAMP ON. *TT |
| 10019945 | VOLUNTARY EMISSION RECALL 06E17 SUPPLEMENT #1: CONTROL MODULE RECALIBRATION. CORROSION MAY EXIST AT THE ELECTRODE SURFACE ON THE EXHAUST PRESSURE (EP) SENSOR; FUEL DELIVERY TIMING DURING COLD WEATHER MAY NOT BE OPTIMAL; AND/OR EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) SYSTEM OPERATION AT IDLE MAY NOT BE OPTIMAL. *TT |
| 10019808 | EXHAUST PRESSURE SENSOR INPUT NO LONGER USED IF PCM IS REPROGRAMMED - SERVICE TIP. *TT |
| 10019795 | P0404 SERVICE TIP. *TT |
| 10019385 | COOLANT DEGAS BOTTLE OVERFLOW - 6.0L. *TT |
| 10019380 | WHITE SMOKE, LACKS POWER, EXHAUST ODOR, SURGES, RUNS ROUGH, OR NO START - 6.0L. *TT |
| 10018939 | COOLANT DEGAS BOTTLE OVERFLOW. *TT |
| 10018070 | TORQSHIFT TRANSMISSION - INTERMITTENT CLUNK WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE GEAR OR DRIVE GEAR TO PARK. MULTIPLE VEHICLES. FORD OASIS. TO INCLUDE 2006 FORD F-53. *TT |
| 10018067 | VACUUM PUMP INOPERATIVE OR RUNS CONTINUOUSLY - CLIMATE CONTROL DEFAULTS TO DEFROST MODE. *TT |
| 10018062 | COOLANT DEGAS BOTTLE OVERFLOW. *TT |
| 10018054 | SERVICE KIT AVAILABLE FOR WIPER MOTOR WIRING. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
ENGINE STALLING
ENGINE STALLING
ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (ETC)
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation