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: vehicle speed control
33 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Nov 22, 2006
ON 11-21-06, ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES, WAS ACCELERATING ONTO THE FREEWAY AND REALIZED THAT THE THROTTLE LINKAGE ON HIS 2003 FORD F150 WAS STUCK. HE HAD TO PUT THE F150 IN NEUTRAL AND PULL OVER TO SAFELY STOP (THE ENGINE WAS RACING UNTIL HE TURNED IT OFF). HE FOUND THAT THERE IS A PLASTIC, TWO-PIECE COVER AROUND THE THROTTLE LINKAGE THAT HAD COME UNSNAPPED ON ITS UNDERSIDE AND HAD APPARENTLY CAUSED THE PROBLEM. HE REPLACED THE COVER. THIS PROBLEM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A SEVERE, PERHAPS FATAL, DEFECT. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Oct 11, 2006
10/10/06 7:20 PM I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WITH MY DAUGHTER IN MY FORD F150 2003 TRUCK, WHEN IT BEGAN SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I PLACED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE, AND PUSHED THE BRAKE DOWN AS FAR AS IT WOULD GO TO TRY AND HOLD THE TRUCK IN PLACE. I COULD FEEL THE BRAKE PEDAL JUMPING UNDER MY FEET AS THE TRUCK WAS TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD. I DIDN'T THINK THE BRAKES WERE GOING TO HOLD THE TRUCK IN PLACE. I COULD HEAR THE TRUCKS MOTOR RACING LOUDER AND LOUDER FROM INSIDE THE CAB WITH ALL THE WINDOWS UP. THE TRUCKS RPM REGISTERED A 5. KEEPING BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. I FEEL VERY LUCKY NO ONE WAS INJURED. I CALLED THE FORD HOUSE IN THE NEAREST TOWN AND REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY ADVISED ME THEY HAVE NEVER HAD A REPORT OF THIS NATURE REGARDING FORD VEHICLES. I HAVE SINCE DONE RESEARCH REGARDING THIS MATTER AND THEIR VEHICLES APPEAR TO BE IN LITIGATION IN WHICH FORD HAS BEEN REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE DOCUMENTS THAT REVEAL THE BREADTH OF THE PROBLEM. (DEFECTS IN THE DESIGN OF THE ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL ("CRUISE CONTROL"). "THE REPORT I READ STATES ALMOST NO FORD VEHICLE IS EXEMPT!" IN ADDITION THERE ARE PRIOR CONSUMER COMPLAINTS WITH THE 2003 FORD F150 IN REGARDS TO THE SAME EXPERIENCE THAT I HAD. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS THE PROBLEM WITH MY TRUCK, BUT THE EXPERIENCES APPEAR TO BE THE SAME. I PLAN TO FOLLOW UP BY TAKING MY TRUCK TO THE FORD HOUSE I CALLED WITH MY COMPLAINT ALONG WITH COPIES OF THE REPORT I FOUND, "FORD: SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION & STUCK THROTTLES, AND RECENT FILED CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. HOPEFUL SOMEONE WILL LISTEN. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Sep 1, 2006, crash
WHILE DRIVING F-150 4X4, ACCELERATOR/THROTTLE STUCK AND CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND EVEN AFTER CRASH, WAS STILL STUCK AND KEPT TRYING TO GO WIDE OPEN. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Feb 1, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON DRY FREEWAY ROADS, THE ACCELERATOR FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN IT WAS PRESSED. THE ENGINE REVOLUTIONS PER MINUTE ROSE, BUT THE VEHICLE SPEED DID NOT GO BEYOND 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER FIVE TIMES, EACH TIME WITH A DIFFERENT PART BEING REPLACED TO TRY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS NOT MANAGED TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 30, 2005
IN LIGHT OF THE RECALL OF THE 2000 MODEL OF THE FORD F-150 PICKUPS FOR ENGINE FIRES ASSOCIATED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT NHTSA AND FORD TO LOOK AT A POSSIBLE SIMULAR PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 MODEL OF F-150'S. A FEW MONTHS AGO I HAD MY CRUISE CONTROL ON AND AFTER ABOUT 15 MIN THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN THE DASH CLUSTER. WHEN I DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL WITH THE OFF BUTTON THE LIGHT WENT OUT. I HAD THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN CONROE CHECK IT OUT AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT OR FIND A PROBLEM. NOW I AM VERY CONCERN THAT MY F-150 MAY ALSO CATCH ON FIRE LIKE THE 2000 YR MODELS.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Dec 10, 2003
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Nov 4, 2003
RECENTLY, CONSUME BOUGHT 2003, HARLEY DAVIDSON, F150 IN MAY OF 2003. IT IDLED ROUGHLY ON OCCASION AT WHICH TIME IT FLUCTUATED. IT IDLED AT 800 RPMS, THEN DIPPED DOWN TO 400 RPMS. FELT LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO DIE, THEN SURGED BACK UP TO 900 RPMS, AND SO FORTH. AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING IT HESITATED AT CONSTANT SPEED. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jul 11, 2003
WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *NLM *CB *JB EA04006 HAS IFS