NHTSA Complaint #10052755 — 2003 FORD E550

2003 FORD SUPER DUTY F350 6.0 LITER DIESEL: THE FIRST TIME I TRIED TO PULL MY 5TH WHEEL WITH THIS TRUCK, IT WOULD BUCK FURIOUSLY AND I COULD ONLY STOP THE BUCKING BY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FLOOR OF IMMEDIATELY LET UP OFF THE PEDAL. DURING THIS TRIP WITH THE 5HT WHEEL IN TOW, AT 815 MILES THE ENGINE QUIT AT THE MOST INOPPORTUNE TIMES. I WAS CLIMBING A 5% GRADE AND TRAVELING IN THE TRUCK SLOW LANE ON INTERSTATE 68. I MANAGED TO GET THE RIG TO THE SHOULDER BUT STILL IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT TOOK 3 HOURS TO GET THE RIG MOVED TO A SAFE LOCATION. THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE (FICM)HAD FAILED. FORD HAS DESIGNED THIS FICM NO LESS THAN 4 TIMES. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I HAD A FUEL INJECTOR MISFIRING SINCE DAY ONE OF THIS TRUCK BEING IN SERVICE. THE TRUCK WAS OUT OF SERVICE FOR 5 DAYS WHILE REPAIRS WERE MADE. A MONTH LATER ON AUGUST 8, 2003 AT 2568 MILES I LOST A FUEL INJECTOR OR TWO AND BROKE A ROCKER ARM WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 74. THE TRUCK WAS OUT OF SERVICE FOR ANOTHER 10 DAYS WHILE THE ENGINE WAS PULLED OUT AND 27 PARTS REPLACED. WITH THE ADDITION OF ONE BUSINESS DAY FOR A FACTORY RECALL BRINGS THE TOTAL BUSINESS DAYS OUT OF SERVICE TO 14 DAYS. THE SAD PART IS THAT I TRADED A 2002 F350 WITH MORE PROBLEMS THAN I CARE TO TALKE ABOUT IN THE HOPES THAT I COULD MAKE MY LIFE A LITTLE EASIER WITH THIS 2003 F350. BIG MISTAKE!*AK