Total Complaints
40 filings
FORD F-550 SD · model year
40 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003FORDF-550 SD carries 40 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 6 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. 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-550 SD is fuel system, diesel with 12 filings, followed by fuel system, diesel:storage:tank assembly (3) and engine and engine cooling:engine (2). 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 5 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-550 SD, 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.
Total Complaints
40 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | 12 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:HANGER/BRACKET | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS | 1 |
| WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS | 1 |
| WHEELS:RIM | 1 |
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
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
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.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-550 SD. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE FUEL TANK DISINTEGRATED. THE FLOAT FILTER AND FILTER WERE CLOGGED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (VISION FORD, 1500 S WHITE SANDS BLVD, ALAMOGORDO, NM 88310) AND WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,550.
Mileage: 107,550
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-550 SD. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE FUEL TANK DISINTEGRATED. THE FLOAT FILTER AND FILTER WERE CLOGGED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (VISION FORD, 1500 S WHITE SANDS BLVD, ALAMOGORDO, NM 88310) AND WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,550.
Mileage: 107,550
WATTER SEPERATOR VALVE DUMPED FUEL ON THE TURBO CAUSING A FIRE.
Mileage: 175,541
WATTER SEPERATOR VALVE DUMPED FUEL ON THE TURBO CAUSING A FIRE.
Mileage: 175,541
I HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS ENGINE FAILURES, OF WHICH I HAVE THE RECEIPTS, ON MY F500 FORD WITH THE 6.0 DIESEL ENGINE, AT A COST TO ME OF OVER $7,000. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURES, THE ENGINE WAS ONLY OUT OF WARRANTY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. BECAUSE A DIESEL SHOULD LAST FOR A RELATIVELY LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS, I ASKED FORD TO COVER THE BILL. IN SHORT, FORD WOULD NOT GIVE ME THE TIME OF DAY OR ADMIT TO ANYTHING. I AM VERY CONCERNED AS I DON' T MAKE THE KIND OF MONEY IT TAKES TO CONTINUALLY INVEST IN AN ENGINE THAT SHOULD STILL RUN FINE. I HAVE ALSO DISCUSSED THIS WITH OTHERS THAT OWN THE SAME ENGINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THE TYPE OF PROBLEMS THAT I'VE HAD ARE QUITE COMMON WITH THE 6.0 ENGINE. I HAVE ALL THE RECEIPTS AND EXPECT FORD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT IS CLEARLY A POORLY BUILT ENGINE. I'M ALSO HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER FOR YEARS AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I AWAIT YOUR REPLY AND CAN SEND YOU A COPY
Mileage: 80,687
I HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS ENGINE FAILURES, OF WHICH I HAVE THE RECEIPTS, ON MY F500 FORD WITH THE 6.0 DIESEL ENGINE, AT A COST TO ME OF OVER $7,000. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURES, THE ENGINE WAS ONLY OUT OF WARRANTY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. BECAUSE A DIESEL SHOULD LAST FOR A RELATIVELY LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS, I ASKED FORD TO COVER THE BILL. IN SHORT, FORD WOULD NOT GIVE ME THE TIME OF DAY OR ADMIT TO ANYTHING. I AM VERY CONCERNED AS I DON' T MAKE THE KIND OF MONEY IT TAKES TO CONTINUALLY INVEST IN AN ENGINE THAT SHOULD STILL RUN FINE. I HAVE ALSO DISCUSSED THIS WITH OTHERS THAT OWN THE SAME ENGINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THE TYPE OF PROBLEMS THAT I'VE HAD ARE QUITE COMMON WITH THE 6.0 ENGINE. I HAVE ALL THE RECEIPTS AND EXPECT FORD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT IS CLEARLY A POORLY BUILT ENGINE. I'M ALSO HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER FOR YEARS AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I AWAIT YOUR REPLY AND CAN SEND YOU A COPY
Mileage: 80,687
NORCOLD CORP. ISSUED SAFETY RECALL # 10E-049 ON/ABOUT OCTOBER 21, 2010 FOR REFRIGERATOR UNITS IN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES FOR A POTENTIAL "FIRE" IN THE COOLING UNIT(S). A CERTIFIED RV DEALER CONFIRMED FIRE DAMAGE TO UNIT OWNED AND OPERATED BY COMPLAINANT . NORCOLD CORP. HAS REFUSED TO HONOR SAFETY RECALL(S) AND REPAIR SAID DAMAGED UNITS. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO THE REFRIGERATOR UNIT ONLY HOWEVER ITS A TOTAL LOST. THERE ARE MILLIONS OF SIMILAR DEFECTIVE REFRIGERATOR UNITS BEING USED ON THE NATIONAL'S HIGHWAYS BY UNSUSPECTING RV OWNERS POSING A SERIOUS SAFETY AND HAZARDOUS POTENTIAL FOR A CATASTROPHIC EVENT THAT WILL ENDANGER THE TRAVELING PUBLIC. *TR
Mileage: 25,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK INNER LINING WAS DE-LAMINATING AND BEING DRAWN INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY, THE CONTACT DECIDED TO DE-LAMINATE THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD DELAMINATED AND CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO CLOGGED UP. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND STALL WHILE DRIVING UPHILL. THE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $900 TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK SINCE THERE WERE NO WARRANTIES OR RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Mileage: 75,000
I HAVE 2 FORD F550 TRUCKS (2001,2003). BOTH TRUCKS WITH VERY LOW MILEAGE (37K, 56K MILES). BOTH DIESEL ENGINES. BOTH HAVE ONLY HAD EITHER SHELL OR CHEVRON FUEL PUT IN THEM. NO BIO FUELS. THE INTERIOR OF BOTH MY TRUCKS FUEL TANKS ARE DELAMINATING AND CAUSING THE VARIOUS FUEL FILTERS TO CLOG WITH A METALLIC DEBRIS AND RUST. FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS BLAMING THE DELAMINATING ON THE FUEL USED IN THE TRUCKS. MY DEALER (WESTLIE FORD, CAMAS, WASHINGTON) WHERE I PURCHASED THESE TRUCKS CANNOT WARRANTY THE REPLACEMENT TANKS NEEDED TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC FOR FORD MOTOR COMPANY! WORD HAS IT FORD HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH THE NEW COATING ON THE NEW TANKS BUT, I CAN FIND NO ANNOUNCEMENT FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAYING SO. AVERAGE COST TO REPLACE THIS TANK RUNS BETWEEN $1,500 - $2,500 DOLLARS. HOW MANY PEOPLE MUST DIE WHEN THEIR FUEL SYSTEMS GET CLOGGED BY THE DELAMINATING PARTICLES OF THE FUEL TANK AND STOP DEAD ON A FREEWAY OR FOGGY NIGHT? FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD FIX T
Mileage: 37,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SEVERE LOSS OF POWER AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE, DUE TO THE UNISON RINGS FAILING. THE RINGS ARE A PART OF THE TURBO CHARGER ON THE ENGINE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED TWICE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN FAILURE AND THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER PLACED NICKEL PLATED RINGS INSTEAD OF THE STEEL RINGS ON THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE RESOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1038 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9500.
Mileage: 1,038
HERCULES S-209 TIRE BLEW ALL TREAD LOST MAJOR SEPARATIONS OTHER TIRES NOTICE WIDESPREAD MINOR CRACKING. *TR
FUEL TANK DELAMINATION. CLOGS FUEL SYSTEM, AND TRASHES INJECTORS AND PUMPS. NEW TANK, INJECTORS, PUMP. CLEAN FUEL SYSTEM. FORD SAYS BIOFUEL, NEVER USE BIOFUEL. *TR
Mileage: 110,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F550 SD. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE SHAKING AND WOULD LOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE INSIDE LINING OF THE FUEL TANK WAS PEELING AND CLOGGING THE FUEL LINES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 48,000.
Mileage: 48,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-55O. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD-WAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED AN INTERNAL OIL LEAK FROM THE PUMP. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED UNDER WARRANTY. SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR AN IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK DELAMINATED DUE TO THE DIESEL FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102000.
Mileage: 101,000
ENGINE FAILED AND VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. THE CULPRIT WAS THE FORD FUEL TANK THAT HAD DELAMINATED. THE TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST: $2223.41. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF REVENUE AS THIS VEHICLE IS USED FOR PRODUCTION PURPOSES. FORD DENIED RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DEFECTS OF THEIR FUEL TANKS. WITH NO OTHER CHOICE, WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THESE VEHICLES ARE USED FOR COMMERCIAL USAGE DAILY. THIS IS ALSO A FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT HAS BEEN FORCED ONTO US UNFAIRLY. THEY NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL THESE FUEL TANKS. *TR
Mileage: 57,493
ENGINE FAILED AND VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. THE CULPRIT WAS THE FORD FUEL TANK THAT HAD DELAMINATED WHICH CAUSED DEBRIS TO MOVE THROUGH THE FUEL FILTER AND ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAD O BE REPLACED. THE TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST: $10,345.00. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF REVENUE AS THIS VEHICLE IS USED FOR PRODUCTION PURPOSES. FORD DENIED RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DEFECTS OF THEIR FUEL TANKS. WITH NO OTHER CHOICE, WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THESE VEHICLES ARE USED FOR COMMERCIAL USAGE DAILY. THIS IS ALSO A FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT HAS BEEN FORCED ONTO US UNFAIRLY. THEY NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL THESE FUEL TANKS. *TR
Mileage: 54,500
ENGINE FAILED AND VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. THE CULPRIT WAS THE FORD FUEL TANK THAT HAD DELAMINATED WHICH CAUSED DEBRIS TO MOVE THROUGH THE FUEL FILTER AND ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAD O BE REPLACED. THE TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST: $10,345.00. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF REVENUE AS THIS VEHICLE IS USED FOR PRODUCTION PURPOSES. FORD DENIED RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DEFECTS OF THEIR FUEL TANKS. WITH NO OTHER CHOICE, WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THESE VEHICLES ARE USED FOR COMMERCIAL USAGE DAILY. THIS IS ALSO A FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT HAS BEEN FORCED ONTO US UNFAIRLY. THEY NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL THESE FUEL TANKS. *TR
Mileage: 54,500
VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. THE CULPRIT WAS THE FORD FUEL TANK THAT HAD DELAMINATED. THE TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST: $1600.00. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF REVENUE AS THIS VEHICLE IS USED FOR PRODUCTION PURPOSES. FORD DENIED RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DEFECTS OF THEIR FUEL TANKS. WITH NO OTHER CHOICE, WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THESE VEHICLES ARE USED FOR COMMERCIAL USAGE DAILY. THIS IS ALSO A FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT HAS BEEN FORCED ONTO US UNFAIRLY. THEY NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL THESE FUEL TANKS. *TR
Mileage: 60,506
VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. THE CULPRIT WAS THE FORD FUEL TANK THAT HAD DELAMINATED. THE TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST: $1600.00. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF REVENUE AS THIS VEHICLE IS USED FOR PRODUCTION PURPOSES. FORD DENIED RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DEFECTS OF THEIR FUEL TANKS. WITH NO OTHER CHOICE, WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THESE VEHICLES ARE USED FOR COMMERCIAL USAGE DAILY. THIS IS ALSO A FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT HAS BEEN FORCED ONTO US UNFAIRLY. THEY NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL THESE FUEL TANKS. *TR
Mileage: 78,892
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
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.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.