2003 Ford F-150
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 464 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 F-150 model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 45 involved a crash and 39 involved a fire. 39 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assembly, mountingJul 29, 2011
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD DEICING CHEMICALS MAY CAUSE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH SECURE THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE.
AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY FAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL LINES TO SEPARATE FROM THE TANK, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSING THE TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND. EITHER SCENARIO MAY RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD.
FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS REPLACED WITH STRAPS THAT HAVE INCREASED CORROSION PROTECTION. EARLY IN THIS CAMPAIGN, IF REPLACEMENT STRAPS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, DEALERS MAY INSTALL A CABLE SUPPORT UNDER THE STRAP AS AN INTERIM REPAIR OR A STEEL REINFORCEMENT OVER THE EXISTING STRAP AS A PERMANENT REPAIR. ANY REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332. FORD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 11S21
Campaign 11V385000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsAug 11, 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Campaign 08E050000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electricalAug 28, 2007
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.
IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.
ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
Campaign 07E066000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed controlAug 3, 2007
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Campaign 07V336000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed controlMar 6, 2007
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE, BURN, OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017, 05V388, AND 06V286)
Campaign 07V078000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsAug 1, 2006
CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 331-1129L-ASN AND 331-1129R-ASN, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.
Campaign 06E067000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineJun 13, 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
Campaign 06E056000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsJun 12, 2006
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, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABRY LEE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER FULL CREDIT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLAMP. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JUNE 14, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABRY LEE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT 1-866-467-2279.
Campaign 06E052000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, gear box, shaft pitmanSep 22, 2003
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE PITMAN ARM TO STEERING GEAR RETAINING NUT WAS NOT FULLY TIGHTENED TO THE REQUIRED SPECIFICATION.
IF THE PITMAN ARM TO GEARBOX ATTACHMENT NUT LOOSENS, A NOISE AND A LOOSE FEEL IN THE STEERING COULD OCCUR. IF THE CONDITION PROGRESSED AND SERVICE WAS NOT SOUGHT, THE NUT COULD BACK OFF COMPLETELY AND THE PITMAN ARM COULD SEPARATE FROM THE GEAR CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING. IF THE WARNING IS NOT HEEDED AND STEERING IS LOST, A CRASH MAY RESULT.
DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE PITMAN ARM RETAINING NUT TO SPECIFICATIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 1, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 03V349000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
102 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 17, 2010
BLOW OUT OF SPARK PLUG ON 2003 FORD F-150 4.6L TRITON V8. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 15, 2010
2003 FORD F-150 CREW CAB , 4.6 TRITON ENGINE. SPARK PLUG BLEW WHILE ON HIGHWAY. NORMAL DRIVING WITH NO LOAD IN TRUCK. NO WARNING BEFORE FAILURE. THE TRUCK HAS JUST OVER 100,000 MILES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 22, 2010
NORMAL DRIVING WHEN THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE MOTOR LEAVING ME AND MY KIDS STRANDED STILL TRYING TO CORRECT PROBLEM THIS IS THE SECOND TIME REPAIR BILL APPROXIMATELY $3000. *DT
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 26, 2010
I OWN A FORD F150 WITH A TRITON V8 ENGINE. ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE ON 2/25/10 WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. AFTER LOOKING AT THE PROBLEM THEY SENT ME TO A FORD DEALER. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME IT IS A $1000 FIX AND THAT IT WAS POSSIBLY DUE TO THE PERSON WHO REPLACED THE PLUGS FOR ME. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 12, 2010
2003 FORD F150 5.4L #3 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF ENGINE'S HEAD AND STRIPPED OUT ALL THREADS. INSERT WAS PUT IN TO REPLACE DAMAGED THREADS AT A COST OF $500 FROM FORD DEALERSHIP. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 15, 2009
WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING AND ENTERING ONTO INTERSTATE 80 AT A SPEED OF 50MPH I HEARD A LOUD POP AND LOST POWER. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN BUT WITH A GREAT LOSS OF POWER. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT A MODERATE SPEED UNTIL I COULD GET TO A MONROE SERVICE CENTER APPROX. 20 MILES. THE #7 PLUG FOR THE SECOND TIME BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD. THE REPAIR COST THIS TIME WAS $294.38 AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. IT'S BEEN EIGHT MONTHS SINCE I HAD IT REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME. THE #7 CYLINDER IS NOW MISFIRING EVEN THOUGH THE PLUG HAS BEEN REPLACED. MILEAGE TO DATE IS 200,892. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 22, 2009
I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY TRUCK FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES AND AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE ENGINE SPARK PLUG BLEW. I GOT MY TRUCK TO START UP AND DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE THIS OCCURRED AGAIN. THIS REPEATED UNTIL I MANAGED TO GET TO MY HOME WHICH WAS ABOUT TWO MILES AWAY WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED. THEN I CALLED VENUS, A TOWING AND REPAIR SHOP, TO HAVE MY TRUCK TOWED FROM MY HOUSE TO THEIR SHOP. THE TOWING SERVICE COST $80.00. WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME WHAT HAPPENED. THEY FIXED MY TRUCK AND CHARGED $250.00. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 16, 2009
ON APRIL 20, 2009, SPARK PLUG #7 BLOWOUT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT. APPROX. SPEED 25 TO 35 MPH. ENGINE LOST COMPRESSION, DAMAGED THE IGNITION COIL, BUT I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A FIRESTONE REPAIR GARAGE WITHIN 10 MILES. THE SPARK PLUG #7 WAS REPLACED WITH THE HELI COIL AND THE IGNITION COIL DAMAGE WAS ALSO REPLACED. TOTAL COST OF LABOR AND PARTS WAS $352.81. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 28, 2009
1. NORMAL OPERATION, NO INDICATION OF PROBLEM 2. SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE AS MY WIFE PARKED THE VEHICLE IN OUR DRIVEWAY; 1ST OF 2 OCCURRENCES; REPAIRED WITH HELICOILED PLUG. APPROX $400 REPAIR EXPENSE. I'M NOW TOLD THAT A BULLETIN WAS ISSUED ADVISING NOT TO USE THIS REPAIR METHOD. HAVING TROUBLE VERIFYING IF THAT IS FACT OR FICTION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 28, 2009
1. NORMAL OPERATION 2. SPARK PLUGS ARE BLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE HEAD; THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE; ENGINE FAILURE. HAD THE OCCURRENCE BEEN 200 MILES EARLIER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE MIDDLE OF PEAK TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ON I405 NEAR BELLVUE WASHINGTON STATE, HEAVY RAIN WITH POOR VISIBILITY - CONSEQUENCES WOULD HAVE BEEN DIRE. 3. FORD ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD A "TON" OF THESE REPAIR JOBS. AT $400+ PER OCCURRENCE, I QUESTION WHY THEY HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER? WHY NO NOTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM. I'M TOLD THERE HAVE BEEN SERVICE ADVISORY'S ISSUED, BUT SHOPS AND SERVICE COUNTERS SHARE NONE OF THIS WITH ME. NOW THAT MY VEHICLE IS 5 YRS OLD WITH 129K MILES, WHAT WILL THE FREQUENCY OF THIS PROBLEM BE. AS THE F150 FLEET AGES, HOW MANY MORE OCCURRENCE WILL THERE BE PRIOR TO FOOD ISSUING A SOLUTION? I'M TOLD BY DEALERSHIPS THAT THE SPARK PLUG SEAT ONLY CONSISTS OF A FEW THREAD TO HOLD THE SPARK PLUG IN. PLUGS DO NOT HAVE A SEAT RING (COMPRESSION RING) TO ASSIST IN THE PLUG TO STAY SEATED. AS THE PLUG LOOSENS, BLOW BY OCCURS AND EVENTUALLY BLOWING THE PLUG OUT THROUGH THE TREADS IN THE ENGINE HEAD. I'VE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM, LET ALONE HAVING THIS OCCUR TO MY TWICE. PARTS HOUSES HAD CONCURRED THAT THE PROBLEM IS PREVALENT AND THEY LAUGH ABOUT IT. WHO IS GOING TO LAUGH WHEN THIS KNOWN UNSAFE ENGINEERING FLAW CAUSES DEATH OR INJURY? THEIR REPAIR HAS NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM, NOR DID THEY GIVE UP THIS INFORMATION WITHOUT ME FIRST SEEKING FACTUAL INFORMATION. THE PUBLIC IS BEING DECEIVED! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 6, 2009
I HAD A SPARKPLUG BLOW OUT ON MY 03 F150.....WHICH AT FIRST SOUNDED LIKE A NOISY LIFTER. I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIRS AT THE FORD DEALER AND IT COST ME $1180.00 TO INSTALL A HELI COIL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 29, 2009
THE SPARK PLUG IN ME FORD F-150 5.4LTR ENGINE BLEW OUT OF THE #2 CYLINDER. ALL ENGINE REBUILDING SHOPS AND REPAIR CENTERS SAY THIS IS COMMON IN FORDS. THEY FINISHED MY SENTENCE WHEN DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM. PLEASE ENACT A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. AS I READ THIS IS AN ISSUE. COST ME 500.00 DOLLARS TO FIX AND I WORRY ABOUT THE OTHER 7 PLUGS...$3,500 TO REPAIR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 23, 2009
I HAVE A 2003 F150 V8 5.4 L AND I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HEARD A POP, AND I CHECKED MY ENGINE AND NOTICED THE IGNITION COIL WAS LOOSE AND THE SPARK PLUG WAS ATTACHED TO THE IGNITION COIL, SO NOW THE THREADS IN THE HEAD ARE STRIPPED AND I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE!! THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED THAT THIS IS NOT RECALL ISSUE IT SHOULD BE!!! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 6, 2009
WHILE TRAVELING @ 65 MILES PER HOUR DOWN A HIGHWAY, THE NUMBER 3 SPARK PLUG & COIL BLEW OUT FROM THE HEAD CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE COIL & SPARK PLUG ITSELF. OUR 2003 FORD F150 SUPERCREW LARIOT PICK-UP TRUCK, WHICH IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, HAD TO BE TOWED. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OUR VEHICLE. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED A QUICK FIX OF A SPARK PLUG INSERT AFTER THE PLUG HOLE WAS RETAPPED WHILE STATING SEVERAL TIMES THAT THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WOULD WORK. ANOTHER OPTION WAS TO REPLACE THE HEADS COSTING APPROXIMATELY $2500. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO ADVISED US THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM & HAS SEEN IT HAPPEN ON A VARIETY OF FORD VEHICLES. WE'RE EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT OUR VEHICLE DIDN'T CATCH FIRE, AS THE COIL THAT BLEW HIT THE FUEL RAIL, WHICH IS HELD IN PLACE BY TWO 8MM BOLTS. THIS EXPERIENCE IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING & CONCERNING TO US AS IF WE SPEND MONEY GOING THE ROUTE OF THE INSERT, IT MAY LAST FOR ONE TRIP DOWN THE ROAD & GIVE OUT. IT'S DISAPPOINTING THAT FORD ISN'T STANDING BY THEIR PRODUCT & FIXING IT APPROPRIATELY. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT BRINGS WITH IT SEVERE SAFETY ISSUES. WE WILL NOT BE PURCHASING A FORD VEHICLE IN THE FUTURE.
Engine and engine cooling, May 31, 2009
THE SPARK PLUG ON MY 2003 FORD F-150 WAS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE TRUCK HAS 42,000 MILES ON IT. THERE WAS A HUGE BANG FROM THE ENGINE, AND THE GAS VAPORS FLOODED THE CAB. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND MY FAMILY WAS NOT INJURED. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE WELL-DOCUMENTED ONLINE, AND I WILL BE FOLLOWING UP TO SEE WHERE THE NHTSA IS ON THIS ISSUE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 5, 2009
BLOWING OUT SPARK PLUGS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 8, 2008
MY 2003 FORD F-150 WITH 5.4 TRITON ENGINE SPIT OUT THE NUMBER 3 SPARK PLUG. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THE SAME PLUG. FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS REFUSED TO EVEN DISCUSS THE MATTER WITH ME, SAYING THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH ITS PRODUCT! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 13, 2008
ON 10/1/08 I WAS COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND. LOSS OF POWER AND RAN ROUGH . IT WAS ALMOST DARK SO I COULD NOT SEE WHAT WAS WRONG SO I DROVE IT THE TWO MILES HOME, ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NEXT MORNING I TOOK THE TRUCK TO HOLDER FORD IN LAKEPORT, CALIFORNIA AND THEY SAID I HAD BLOWN OUT THE REAR PLUG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THEY REPAIRED IT FOR $715.00 AND I GOT IT BACK ON MONDAY 10/6/08. AGAIN ON 10/11/08 SATURDAY THE SAME PLUG BLEW OUT. THIS TIME I WAS IN THE FAST LANE OF THE FREEWAY IN SAN RAFAEL HEADING FOR SAN FRANCISCO. THE TRUCK LOST POWER AND EVERY TIME I BACKED OFF THE GAS THE ENGINE DIED. I FOUGHT WITH THE TRUCK TO GET IT STARTED AND KEEP IT RUNNING TO GET IT ACROSS THREE LANES OF BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC TO AN OFF RAMP. WHEN I STOPPED AND RAISED THE HOOD I SAW IT WAS THE SAME PLUG THAT WAS JUST REPAIRED. I CALLED HOLDER FORD AND THEY SAID SERVICE WAS CLOSED AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME UNTIL MONDAY. I DROVE THE CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALER ONLY TO FIND THE FORD DEALER HAD GONE OUT OF BUSINESS THERE SO I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND RENTED A CAR. I WAS 150 MILES FROM HOLDER FORD AND MY TOWING WOULD ONLY ALLOW 100 MILES. BESIDES THIS BLOWN SPARK PLUG ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT IT COST ME $400.00 FOR THE TOW AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH FOR A RENTAL CAR. NOW I FIND OUT THERE ARE ONLY THREE THREADS IN THE HEAD TO HOLD THE PLUGS IN, AND THE HEADS ARE ALUMINUM. THE TRUCK IS A 2003 FORD F150 LIGHTNING 5.4 TRITON V8 WITH 70,000 MILES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 21, 2008
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY WIFE HAD A SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF THE ENGINE, FORTUNATELY THE 2003 FORD F150 SUPERCREW PICKUP TRUCK DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE, I DROVE THE VEHICLE ANOTHER 15 MILES TO THE MECHANIC NOT KNOWING WHAT IS WRONG , I THOUGHT THE IT WAS JUST A BAD EXHAUST LEAK BUT I FOUND OUT THE NEXT MORNING THE GRIM NEWS THAT IN FACT THE SPARK PLUG WAS THE PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD THE REPAIR WOULD RUN BETWEEN 700.00 TO 2,000.00, SHOCKED BY THE COST OF REPAIR AND THE PROBLEM OF WHICH I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF I WENT ONLINE TO CHECK IT OUT. TO MY SURPRISE I FOUND THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE FORD TRITON ENGINES, SO I THOUGHT FORD WOULD DO THE RIGHT THING I CALLED FORD AND EXPLAINED MY PROBLEM, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IT WAS MY PROBLEM AND FORD WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM, IN FACT IF YOU DO ANY RESEARCH ONLINE YOU WILL SEE THAT HUNDREDS AND PERHAPS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM, I WOULD HOPE THAT MAYBE YOU CAN HELP ME AND THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM, THANKS IN ADVANCE TIM WALSH *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 14, 2008
2003 F150 4,2 ENGINE, UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS FAILURE, STARTED LEAKING AT 75,200 MILES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 12, 2008
SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT STRIPPING THREADS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 26, 2007
SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE, STRIPPING ALL THE THREADS IN THE CYLINDER HEAD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Sep 11, 2007, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN HIS GARAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 10 HOURS EARLIER. THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED OR LOCATE ANY DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS DAMAGED, HOWEVER, THE MOST EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WAS ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. FORD WAS NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FIRE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 12,000. UPDATED 3/5/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED ALL 3 INVESTIGATORS STATED THE FIRE WAS A DEFECT IN THE TRUCK. FIRE DEPT AND INSURANCE REPORT. UPDATED 03/04/08 *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2007
IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, THE SENDER ASSEMBLY IN MY FORD F150 FAILED TO SEND A MESSAGE TO THE GAUGE THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. BECAUSE OF THAT FAILURE, BOTH HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN ALLOWING WATER TO GO INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE SENDER ASSEMBLY WAS NOT WORKING SO IT DID NOT SEND A SIGNAL TO THE OIL GAUGE THAT THE PRESSURE WAS LOW. THIS CAUSED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. COST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WAS $5,405.12 + 20 DAYS OF A RENT CAR $672. ALL OF THIS OUT OF MY POCKET AND FORD REFUSES TO REIMBURSE ME AS DOES THE DEALERSHIP WHO DID THE REPAIR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 5, 2007
WE OWN A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH A 5.4 L, V-8 TRITON ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING WE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THEN IT SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE WAS BACK FIRING. WE SMELLED GAS AND A BURNING SMELL. WE HAD OUR EXPEDITION TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WERE INFORMED THAT SPARK PLUG #7 HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE HEAD, STRIPPING THE THREADS. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THAT THE HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $3,500. WE HAD PREVIOUSLY TAKEN THIS EXPEDITION INTO FORD AT 72,723 MILES BECAUSE THE ENGINE LACKED POWER AND SURGED. WE WERE TOLD THAT SPARK PLUG #7 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS PRIOR TO THE FORD'S RECOMMENDATION OF A TUNE UP TO BE DONE AT 100,000. THEY REPLACED SPARK PLUG #7 UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WE WERE CHARGED TO REPLACE THE OTHER SPARK PLUGS. THIS IS THE SAME SPARK PLUG THAT BLEW OUT AT 108,411 MILES. WE HAVE CONTACTED MANY MECHANICS TO SEE WHAT OTHER OPTIONS WERE AVAILABLE. WE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE OUR EXPEDITION REPAIRED BY PLACING A RECOMMENDED PERMANENT THREAD REPLACEMENT INSERT PUT INTO THE #7 CYLINDER; WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS LOW COMPRESSION IN #7 CYLINDER AND NEEDS A NEW ENGINE AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $6,000. THE MECHANIC SHOPS THAT WE CONTACTED HAVE INFORMED US THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THE ALUMINUM HEADS ON THE FORD EXPEDITION AND SOME OTHER FORD TRUCKS. A REVIEW OF THE COMPLAINTS FILED WITH NHTSA SHOWS THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE FORD ENGINES. WE ARE REQUESTING THAT A DEFECT INVESTIGATION BE COMPLETED AND THAT FORD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECT IN THEIR FORD EXPEDITION ENGINES/HEADS. *JB