FORD F-250 · model year

2003 FORD F-250

148 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003FORDF-250 carries 148 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 10 fires, 5 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 F-250 is tires with 14 filings, followed by engine (13) and electrical system (11). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2003 F-250, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

148
Complaints
7
Crashes
10
Fires
5
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

148 filings

Crashes Reported

7 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
TIRES14
ENGINE13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING10
SERVICE BRAKES7
STEERING6
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION5
SUSPENSION5
TIRES:TREAD/BELT5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM3

Recalls (7)

07E06600028/08/2007

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.

06E04900024/05/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.

11V35200013/07/2011

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

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 TH

06E05200012/06/2006

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, REFLEC

09E02500011/05/2009

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

04V32700007/07/2004

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

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.

09E01200007/04/2009

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

Recent Complaints

20250501ENGINE

The contact owned a 2003 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while her husband was driving home, there was black smoke coming from the exhaust, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence and turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 171,000.

Mileage: 171,000

20241006FireENGINE

Truck had no check engine light then caught on fire going down the road and burned to ground within seconds Incident report 46-24-05039 08_30-74 US-30 - PA 74 30 W

20241006FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Truck had no check engine light then caught on fire going down the road and burned to ground within seconds Incident report 46-24-05039 08_30-74 US-30 - PA 74 30 W

20241006FireSERVICE BRAKES

Truck had no check engine light then caught on fire going down the road and burned to ground within seconds Incident report 46-24-05039 08_30-74 US-30 - PA 74 30 W

20240216FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Speed control sensor allows brake fluid leak through the plug connector and run down the wiring harness, allowing brake fluid to splash on the exhaust manifold and cause a fire.

20220929ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-250. The contact stated that both turn signals and the windshield wipers would intermittently fail to operate as needed. Over time, the failure worsened and the components failed to operate. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20220630FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Fuel tank straps corrode causing fuel tank to fall off A recall was issued for other similar ford trucks, but this model was not included

20220419UNKNOWN OR OTHER

When the truck accelerates and reaches about 40-5mph the truck begins to wobble sideways. This wobbling sensation shakes the steering wheel violently and as the speed increases so does the shake. I have not had the truck over 65mph as it becomes unmanageable and is very hard to keep in its lane. The tyres are wearing funny as a result. All 4 wheels are wearing a band around both the inside and outside of the tyres.

20220203ENGINE

I have been trying to get the exhaust manifold bolts replaced by several machine shops and did my own checking on the Ford F-250 Web site and everyone tells me the same thing! Ford knows about the problem but is doing nothing to correct! I have finally found a shop that will fix the broken exhaust manifold blots ! But I would like to know what ford truly knows about this problem . To get it fixed they have to replace all the bolts do to the bolts being so rusted ! Now I only have 121, + miles on my2003 and with the bolts broken it starts admitting gas fumes into the cab . I did check your site and could only find but 1 complaint , so if this is an issue with the exhaust manifold bolts braking and all the ford forums are full of complaints where are they being filed at on your site ? And I do believe it is an issue because I have spoken to 5 different shoppes and 1 ford dealer , they all say the same thing SORRY but it is your problem ! ford knows but will not do anything about it ! I

20201115ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS DO NOT WORK

Mileage: 92,000

20191028ENGINE

I HAVE PAID OVER $6.000 DOLLARS TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER TO FIX MY TRUCK JUST TO HAVE THEM TELL ME THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM, ITS A DESIGN FLAW FROM FORD THAT CAN NOT BE FIXED. I HAVE BEEN BACK AND FORTH WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY, I HAVE BEEN LIED TO, STRONG ALONG, CALLS NOT RETURNED AND SO ON. THE DESIGN FLAW HAS TO DO WITH THE EGR. AND TODAY ITS SEEMS THE 3RD NEW TURBO STOPPED WORKING AND THE MOTOR HAS STARTED TO HAVE A BAD VIBRATION. THIS HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE AND EVEN THOUGH FORD KEPT TELLING ME THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF ME, NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. WHEN THE TURBO FAILED AS I WAS TRYING TO GET ONTO THE FREEWAY I HAD NO POWER AND NEARLY WAS REAR ENDED BY AN 18 WHEELER WHO WAS EXTREMELY ANGRY. I HAD TO STAY OFF THE FREEWAY ON OTHER ROADS TILL I COULD GET HOME. THE TRUCK DEVELOPED A BAD VIBRATION AND I WAS NOT SURE I WOULD GET IT HOME. IF I WOULD HAD BEEN TOLD BY FORD THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN OF THE DESIGN FLAW AND THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX IT, I WOULD HAVE NEVER POURED SO MUCH MONEY I

20191028FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I HAVE PAID OVER $6.000 DOLLARS TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER TO FIX MY TRUCK JUST TO HAVE THEM TELL ME THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM, ITS A DESIGN FLAW FROM FORD THAT CAN NOT BE FIXED. I HAVE BEEN BACK AND FORTH WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY, I HAVE BEEN LIED TO, STRONG ALONG, CALLS NOT RETURNED AND SO ON. THE DESIGN FLAW HAS TO DO WITH THE EGR. AND TODAY ITS SEEMS THE 3RD NEW TURBO STOPPED WORKING AND THE MOTOR HAS STARTED TO HAVE A BAD VIBRATION. THIS HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE AND EVEN THOUGH FORD KEPT TELLING ME THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF ME, NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. WHEN THE TURBO FAILED AS I WAS TRYING TO GET ONTO THE FREEWAY I HAD NO POWER AND NEARLY WAS REAR ENDED BY AN 18 WHEELER WHO WAS EXTREMELY ANGRY. I HAD TO STAY OFF THE FREEWAY ON OTHER ROADS TILL I COULD GET HOME. THE TRUCK DEVELOPED A BAD VIBRATION AND I WAS NOT SURE I WOULD GET IT HOME. IF I WOULD HAD BEEN TOLD BY FORD THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN OF THE DESIGN FLAW AND THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX IT, I WOULD HAVE NEVER POURED SO MUCH MONEY I

20191002ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PENSKE FORD (LOCATED AT 8970 LA MESA BLVD, LA MESA, CA 91942, (619) 464-7777), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

Mileage: 72,000

20190711SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE LINES COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS THE SECONDED TIME.

Mileage: 144,287

20190111TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-250 EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH ALL TERRAIN KO TIRES, SIZE: 265/75/16. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT. THE TIRE WAS RETURNED TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER (DISCOUNT TIRE, 11881 MAGNOLIAM AVE, RIVERSIDE, CA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN, DOT NUMBER, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

20190111TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-250 EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH ALL TERRAIN KO-II TIRES, SIZE: 265/75/16. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND SHOOK. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER (DISCOUNT TIRE, 11881 MAGNOLIAM AVE, RIVERSIDE, CA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE DOT NUMBER, VIN, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

20180828FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST ASSOCIATED WITH THE FUEL STRAPS, WHICH FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO HANG. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11S21, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

20180726FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A DRAGGING NOISE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEANING TO THE GROUND. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE RUSTED. THE CONTACT CALLED OLIVER FORD-LINCOLN (1001 E JEFFERSON ST, PLYMOUTH, IN 46563, (800) 448-8292) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 23,000.

Mileage: 23,000

20180515SERVICE BRAKES

MY FRONT END SHAKES IT'S NOT THE HIGH SPEED WOBBLE MY TRAILER BRAKES THEY DO NOT WORK I'M BLOWING FUSES IN MY FUSE BOX VIA TRAILER MY TRUCK MAKES A MOANING SOUND KIND OF SOUNDS LIKE A FOGHORN THIS IS WHEN I STARTED OR I COME TO A STOP AND WHEN IT'S IDLING DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME MY SHIFTER ON MY COLUMN CAME LOOSE AND WON'T GO INTO PARK

Mileage: 155,000

20180515ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY FRONT END SHAKES IT'S NOT THE HIGH SPEED WOBBLE MY TRAILER BRAKES THEY DO NOT WORK I'M BLOWING FUSES IN MY FUSE BOX VIA TRAILER MY TRUCK MAKES A MOANING SOUND KIND OF SOUNDS LIKE A FOGHORN THIS IS WHEN I STARTED OR I COME TO A STOP AND WHEN IT'S IDLING DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME MY SHIFTER ON MY COLUMN CAME LOOSE AND WON'T GO INTO PARK

Mileage: 155,000

Compare 2003FORDF-250 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 FORD F-250 have?
The 2003 FORD F-250 has 148 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 10 fires, 5 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 FORD F-250?
Yes, the 2003 FORD F-250 has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 FORD F-250?
The most-complained component for the 2003 FORD F-250 is TIRES with 14 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2003 FORD F-250 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.