Ford F-450 SD · model year

2003 Ford F-450 SD

18 NHTSA complaints, and 6 recall campaigns listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

Complaints
18
Recalls
6

The verdict

The 2003 Ford F-450 SD posts above-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.

35th pctile
complaint volume, own model years
6
recall campaigns

The 2003FordF-450 SD carries 18 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2003 F-450 SD is fuel system, diesel with 6 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (2) and tires:tread/belt (2). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA currently has 179 investigation files overlapping the 2003 F-450 SD, and 6 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

18
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2003 Ford F-450 SD

PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.

NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.

Total Complaints

18 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
TIRES:TREAD/BELT2
SUSPENSION1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1

Recalls (6)

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.

09V39900013/10/2009

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

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

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.

07V07800006/03/2007

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

07V55300005/12/2007

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

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.

Recent Complaints

20130506FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE AND LOSE POWER, EVENTUALLY NOT EVEN BEING ABLE TO STAY RUNNING. THE MECHANIC UPON REVIEW FOUND THE TANK LINER HAD DELAMINATED FROM INSIDE FUEL TANK AND HAD PLUGGED UP FUEL SENDER. BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACE AT A COST OF $2800, FORD DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *TR

Mileage: 119,311

20100720FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

THE EGR, FICM, AND INJECTORS ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE CAUSED TRAFFIC HAZARDS. WE CAN NOT PULL OUT WITHOUT THE ENGINE SPITTING AND SPUTTERING. WE HAVE REPLACE ALL OF THE ABOVE, SOME MORE THAN ONCE. LAST TIME IN TO THE FORD DEALER THEY SUGGESTED THAT WE USE A THINNER OIL TO LUBRICATE THE INJECTORS BETTER. THIS ALSO DOESN'T WORK. WE HAVE READ MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR DIESEL ENGINES SO WE KNOW IT'S NOT JUST OURS. WE PAID $8,000.00 TO REPAIR AND NOTHING IS BETTER. FORD REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP THOSE OF US THAT ARE STUCK WITH THESE TRUCKS. THE DATES OF INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN ONGOING. *TR

Mileage: 5,000

20100603FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

TRUCK HAS NO POWER WHEN FIRST STARTING AND THE FRONT END SHIMMIES SOMETHING TERRIBLE. HARD TO CONTROL. *TR

Mileage: 25,000

20100603SUSPENSION:FRONT

TRUCK HAS NO POWER WHEN FIRST STARTING AND THE FRONT END SHIMMIES SOMETHING TERRIBLE. HARD TO CONTROL. *TR

Mileage: 25,000

20100330FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

THE COATING ON THE INTERIOR OF FORD DIESEL FUEL TANKS CORRODES AND COLLECTS AS SEDIMENT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE SEDIMENT, COLLECTS AT THE BOTTON OF THE FUEL TANK AND IS SUCKED INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FUEL LINES BECOME FOULED, THE FUEL PUMPS BECOME CLOGGED AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. AS THE COATING CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE, THE ONLY RECOURSE IT TO CHANGE THE FUEL TANK, THE SENSORS, AND ENTIRE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM. WE HAVE HAD 3 FORD VEHICLES F SERIES EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. THE AVERAGE REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $2180 PER VEHICLE. WE ARE REPORTING THIS AS IT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN ALL THE FORD DIESEL FUEL SYSTEMS. AS THE FUEL SYSTEMS BECOME CLOGGED, THE VEHICLES LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING AND CREATE A SAFETY ISSUE AND DRIVING HAZARD NOT ONLY TO THE VEHICLE OPERATOR BUT OTHER MOTORISTS.

Mileage: 64,042

20090123FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

THE LINING OF THE FUEL TANK HAS BEEN FLAKING OFF INTO MY FUEL LINES, WHICH IS RESTRICTING MY FUEL FILTERS. BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF FUEL, 2 FUEL INJECTORS WENT BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AND THE TURBO WAS OVER COMPENSATING FOR THE LACK OF POWER, DUE TO FUEL SHORTAGE, SO THE TURBO HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. NOW THAT WE HAVE FOUND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM, THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP HAS TO BE REPLACED AS TOO. INTO THIS FOR $5000 ALREADY WITHOUT REPLACING THE TANK AND PUMP. NEED SOME HELP. *TR

Mileage: 136,000

20090123ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHEN DRIVING DOWN A HILL WITH LOTS OF TURNS. THE TRUCK STALLED (SHUT OFF) ALL OF THE SUDDEN RIGHT BEFORE A TURN. LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE TRUCK ON THE ROAD AND RESTART THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL. TOOK TRUCK STRAIGHT TO HANSEL FORD ASKED THEM TO TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. THEY CHECKED THE COMPUTER IN THE TRUCK, AND SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL ME. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

20081124FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

THE LINING OF THE DIESEL FUEL TANK FLAKED OFF WHICH CLOGGED THE FUEL FILTERS, WHICH RESULTED IN POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE. *TR

Mileage: 54,579

20080820TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F450 SUPER DUTY. THE VEHICLE HAS DOUBLE COIN RADIAL TIRES, SIZE 225/70/19.5 (NA). THE TIRES WERE SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT TIRE MECHANIC AND TREAD SEPARATION WAS DISCOVERED IN SIX TIRES. THERE WERE FIVE TIRES WITH THE SAME DOT NUMBER. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,773 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,343. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ THE TIRES WERE PRORATED. UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB

Mileage: 95,733

20080820TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F450 SUPER DUTY. THE VEHICLE HAS DOUBLE COIN RADIAL TIRES, SIZE 225/70/19.5 (NA). THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO ODI NUMBER 10239016 REGARDING THE OTHER FIVE DEFECTIVE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT TIRE MECHANIC AND TREAD SEPARATION WAS DISCOVERED IN SIX TIRES. THERE WAS ONE TIRE WITH A DIFFERENT DOT NUMBER. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,773 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,343. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/20/08. *JB

Mileage: 95,773

20060309ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE: TRUCK WAS PURCHASED ON 12-19-03 1.) ON 1-19-04 TRUCK HAD NO POWER, DEALER FOUND 2,3 INJECTOR SHORTED, DEALER REPLACED INJECTORS AND CHECKED BORE IN CYL HEAD PER HOTLINE. 2.)1-21-04 ENGINE WAS MISSING IN FIRE. DEALER REPLACED BOTH INJECTORS PER HOTLINE. O-RINGS BLOWN APART AND INJECTOR WONT SEAT, HOTLINE SUGGEST LOOKING AT BORE AND FOUND BURR IN BORE NOT ALLOWING INJECTOR TO SEAT . 3.) 2-23-04 ENGINE LOCKED UP ON HWY, FUEL COMING OUT OF EXHAUST. DEALER FOUND EXCESSIVE FUEL IN CYLINDERS AND TURBO, DEALER REMOVED ENGINE AND DISASSEMBLED. NO. 3 INJECTOR DAMAGED AND COPPER WASHER IN PIECES O-RING BLOWN APART. DEALER CHECKED DECK HEIGHT, REMOVED RODS AND PISTONS TO CHECK FOR BEING BENT, DEALER REPLACED NO. 3 PISTON AND ROD AND TURBO BEARINGS, WASHED OUT AND TESTED. 4.)10-26-04 STEERING FEELS FUNNY WHEN DRIVING DOWN HWY. DEALER INSPECTING STEERING AND STEERING STABILIZER LEAKING FLUID. DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED STABILIZER SHOCK. 5.)2-03-05 STEERING

Mileage: 500

20050616SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES IT IS DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. THE HARDER THE BRAKE IS PRESSED THE HARDER IT IS TO TURN THE WHEEL UNTIL THE STEERING IS LOCKED UP. EVENTUALLY THE STEERING GEAR STARTED LEAKING, LEADING TO REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING GEAR. THIS DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK

20050616STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES IT IS DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. THE HARDER THE BRAKE IS PRESSED THE HARDER IT IS TO TURN THE WHEEL UNTIL THE STEERING IS LOCKED UP. EVENTUALLY THE STEERING GEAR STARTED LEAKING, LEADING TO REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING GEAR. THIS DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK

20050527ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE SITTING ON THE SCENE OF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY WITH ENGINE IDLING, THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND THEM WOULD NOT TURN OVER TO START(LOCKED UP)

Mileage: 55,221

20050323ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE MOTOR WAS LEAKING NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF OIL BETWEEN THE BLOCK WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A NEW REPLACEMENT MOTOR, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

20031208WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, BOTH REAR WHEEL LUGS NUTS CAME OFF THE TIRES, CAUSING THE TIRES TO DETACH FROM VEHICLE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK

Mileage: 4,053

20030509UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PROBLEMS WITH THE ATTACK SETUP. MR THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP IN A SAFE WAY. AND THE PROBLEM ONLY OCCURRED WHEN IT WAS TOWING. SCC. *JB

20030423SUSPENSION

THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PROPERLY ALIGNED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT. TWO TIRES WERE ALSO RUINED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *NLM

Mileage: 4,000

Compare 2003FordF-450 SD to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 6 Open

View all investigations

Vehicle Safety Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 Ford F-450 SD have?
The 2003 Ford F-450 SD has 18 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 Ford F-450 SD?
Yes, the 2003 Ford F-450 SD has 6 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-450 SD?
The most-complained component for the 2003 Ford F-450 SD is FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and TIRES:TREAD/BELT.
Is the 2003 Ford F-450 SD 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.

Data vintage: August 2026. 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.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2003 Ford F-450 SD; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.