2003 FORD F-250 SD — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
229
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
6
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 FORD F-250 SD
The 2003 FORD F-250 SD has received a total of 229 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 7 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. 6 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingenginediesel (27 complaints), Engine And Engine Cooling (21 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingengine (14 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 FORD F-250 SD
NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls for the 2003 FORD F-250 SD, potentially affecting up to 6,076,958 vehicles.
Recall 11V352000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
| 26,715 vehicles affected
Defect: 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 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING...
Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
View full details →Recall 11V352000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
| 26,715 vehicles affected
Defect: 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 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING...
Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
View full details →Recall 09V399000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
| 4,500,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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 INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL...
View full details →Recall 07E106000 — WHEELS:HUB
| 130,000 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Consequence: WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
View full details →Recall 07V553000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
| 1,176,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
View full details →Recall 07V078000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
| 155,584 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE, BURN, OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: 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)
View full details →Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 61,944 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 FORD F-250 SD
229 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 FORD F-250 SD. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS HANGING DOWN. THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP WAS FRACTURED AND THE FUEL GAUGE WAS DAMAGED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
THE REAR FUEL TANK STRAP FAILED WHILE TRAVELING ON A STATE HIGHWAY.
I HAVE AMERICAN EAGLE - 20 " EAGLE ALLOY WHEELS. THEY ARE APPROXIMATELY 24 MONTHS OLD. THIS SUMMER A SPOKE CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH ON ONE WHEEL. THE DEALER WOULD NOT WARRANTY IT AND I HAD TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT. THIS WEEK I NOTICED ANOTHER OF THE WHEELS CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I HAVE NOT HIT ANY MAJOR POT HOLES, CURBS OR ANYTHING ELSE. MY TRUCK IS NOT A WORK TRUCK OR USED FOR MUDDING OR OFF ROAD, IT IS A PAVEMENT PRINCESS DRIVEN BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. I AM WORRIED THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND THAT THE WHEELS ARE NOT SAFE.
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE SPARK PLUGS BLOWING OUT OF MOTOR AND BREAKING COIL CAUSING IT TOO LEAK FUEL VAPORS OUT POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THREE DIFFERENT CERTIFIED MECHANICS HAVE ADVISED THIS IS CAUSED TO DEFECT IN THE ALUMINUM HEADS FROM FACTORY NOT HAVING ENOUGH THREADS CAUSING THE SPARK PLUG TO BLOW OUT. POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR FIRE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS ADDRESSED AS IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. WE HAD A SMALL ENGINE FIRE CAUSING SLIGHT DAMAGE TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT HAD TO BE REPAIRED.
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE SPARK PLUGS BLOWING OUT OF MOTOR AND BREAKING COIL CAUSING IT TOO LEAK FUEL VAPORS OUT POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THREE DIFFERENT CERTIFIED MECHANICS HAVE ADVISED THIS IS CAUSED TO DEFECT IN THE ALUMINUM HEADS FROM FACTORY NOT HAVING ENOUGH THREADS CAUSING THE SPARK PLUG TO BLOW OUT. POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR FIRE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS ADDRESSED AS IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. WE HAD A SMALL ENGINE FIRE CAUSING SLIGHT DAMAGE TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT HAD TO BE REPAIRED.
Safety Rating for the 2003 FORD F-250 SD
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 FORD F-250 SD in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 FORD F-250 SD
Ford Motor Company has issued 6 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 FORD F-250 SD. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SSM 51909 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
When performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV has replaced all versions of MERCON SP and can be used going forward. Mixing MERCON LV and MERCON SP in the same transmission is acceptable. After 30-Jun-2023, MERCON SP ATF will no longer be manufactured and will...
ASI-44408 — EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
FORD: THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM) WHEN USING VCM II, WOULD HAVE AN ERROR CODE 35 AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) B1035, AND DIFFICULTY ATTEMPTING PROGRAMMABLE MODULE INSTALLATION (PMI). MODEL 2001-2004 F-SUPER DUTY. *PE
18525 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
BUCK/JERK, LACKS POWER, BLACK SMOKE, ROLLING IDLE, SURGE, MIL ON, AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P2263, P0299, OR P0401. *TT
17701 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P2263. *TT
17568 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
NORMAL EGR (EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION) OPERATION - SERVICE TIP. *TT
03B06 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
COLD OPERATION CALIBRATION PRODUCT ENHANCEMENT FOR REDUCED COLD WEATHER ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND ROUGH IDLE DUE TO POWERTRAIN CALIBRATION CONCERNS. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 FORD F-250 SD
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FORD F-250 SD
- 1998 FORD F-250 SD — 1 complaint
- 1999 FORD F-250 SD — 304 complaints
- 2000 FORD F-250 SD — 277 complaints
- 2001 FORD F-250 SD — 331 complaints
- 2002 FORD F-250 SD — 282 complaints
- 2003 FORD F-250 SD (current)
- 2004 FORD F-250 SD — 345 complaints
- 2005 FORD F-250 SD — 381 complaints
- 2006 FORD F-250 SD — 353 complaints
- 2007 FORD F-250 SD — 85 complaints
- 2008 FORD F-250 SD — 175 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints