2003 FORD F-550 SD — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
40
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
7
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 FORD F-550 SD
The 2003 FORD F-550 SD has received a total of 40 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. 7 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Fuel System Diesel (12 complaints), Fuel System Dieselstoragetank Assembly (3 complaints), and Engine (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 FORD F-550 SD
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 2003 FORD F-550 SD, potentially affecting up to 5,968,701 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 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 04V327000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
| 83,687 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IF THE GROUND WIRE IS LOOSE, ELECTRICAL CURRENT MAY FLOW TO THE RADIO SUPPRESSION STRAP CAUSING IT TO HEAT AND POTENTIALLY MELT OR IGNITE ADJACENT COMPONENTS WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE GROUND STUD AND THE RADIO SUPPRESSION STRAP AND ADJACENT COMPONENTS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND REPLACED, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 FORD F-550 SD
40 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 FORD F-550 SD. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System Diesel | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Dieselstoragetank Assembly | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemwiring | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingenginediesel | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolineturbosupercharger | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipmentrecreational Vehicletrailer | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection Systeminjectors | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Otherfuel Injection System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainaxle Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsfront | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspensionrearspringsleaf Spring Assemblyhangerbracket | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheelslugsnutsboltsstuds | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheelsrim | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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.
WATTER SEPERATOR VALVE DUMPED FUEL ON THE TURBO CAUSING A FIRE.
WATTER SEPERATOR VALVE DUMPED FUEL ON THE TURBO CAUSING A FIRE.
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 OF THE BILLS AND MY CORRESPONDENCE WITH FORD.
Safety Rating for the 2003 FORD F-550 SD
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 FORD F-550 SD in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 FORD F-550 SD
Ford Motor Company has issued 7 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 FORD F-550 SD. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SSM 48157 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Some 2002-2008 F-Super Duty, F-150 and Mark LT vehicles may exhibit concern during or after programing the VSM. The programming may fail or vehicle symptoms such as inoperative door locks, dome lamps, door ajar indicators or auto lamps may occur after successful programing. To ensure the VSM is configured correctly,...
17829 — POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
TRANSFER CASE SHIFT ISSUES ON VEHICLES WITH AN ELECTRONIC SHIFT ON THE FLY (ESOF) TRANSFER CASE. *TT
17727 — POWER TRAIN
CLUNK OR POP ON INITIAL ENGAGEMENT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AT APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MPH. VARIOUS MODLES INCLUDING 2004 ECONOLINE. *TT
17566 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
TURBO MOAN/DRONE NOISE AND TACTILE VIBRATION BETWEEN 1500-2000 RPM. *TT
04185 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
FRONT HUBS NOT ENGAGING, NOT STAYING ENGAGED AND/OR UNLOCKING. *TT
17437 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
WHITE/GRAY SMOKE AND VARIOUS DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS AFTER COLD START - TORQSHIFT HARSH DOWNSHIFT AND BUCK/JERK. *TT
16185 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
EQUIPPED WITH 100I DUAL MEDIA RADIO - SPEED ADJUST VOLUME FUNCTION NOT SUPPORTED. *MJ OWNER GUIDE UPDATE. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 FORD F-550 SD
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FORD F-550 SD
- 1998 FORD F-550 SD — 0 complaints
- 1999 FORD F-550 SD — 92 complaints
- 2000 FORD F-550 SD — 85 complaints
- 2001 FORD F-550 SD — 35 complaints
- 2002 FORD F-550 SD — 31 complaints
- 2003 FORD F-550 SD (current)
- 2004 FORD F-550 SD — 67 complaints
- 2005 FORD F-550 SD — 41 complaints
- 2006 FORD F-550 SD — 55 complaints
- 2007 FORD F-550 SD — 25 complaints
- 2008 FORD F-550 SD — 31 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