2003 Ford F-350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
90 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
42,044 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 58 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 90 complaints (11.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 16 | 17.8% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 10.0% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 8.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 4.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 6 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 10; Engine: 7; Electrical System: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 6; Tires:Tread/Belt: 5; Unknown Or Other: 4; Air Bags: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 22 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 22; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 8
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 32 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 23 |
| 2004 | 16 |
| 2005 | 14 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2002: 1; 2003: 23; 2004: 16; 2005: 14; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 4; 2013: 3; 2014: 5; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 4; 2019: 3; 2021: 2; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001135 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND POWER STEERING PUMP ARE DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO LOCK UP AND/OR KICK BACK INTERMITTENTLY. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001135 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012188 · 2003-03-20 (March 20, 2003)
THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. *NLM THE STEERING WHEEL HAD GONE AROUND IN A CIRCLE WITH NO RESPONSE. THE CONSUMER THEN TOUCHED THE BRAKES AND HAD GONE INTO A DITCH. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10012188 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017516 · 2003-04-24 (April 24, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED 4 SEPARATE TIMES, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL. DEALER ADVISED THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO GUARANTEE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STALL AGAIN. *JB AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP IT STALLED 15 TIMES. *SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017516 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039803 · 2003-09-11 (September 11, 2003)
WHEN ACCELERATING TO 55 MPH ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025812 · 2003-07-10 (July 10, 2003)
VEHICLE FIRE-2003 FORD 350 VAN-FIRE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN ENGINE PER FIRE ANALYSIS-VIN 1FTSS34LXHA27785. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025812 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040254 · 2003-09-12 (September 12, 2003)
VEHICLE FIRE FROM UNDERNEATH DASHBOARD.*MR PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE FIRE, THE SIX DISC CD CHANGER WAS REPLACED DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED THROUGH NO FAULT OF THE OWNER, WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL/MECHANICAL FAILURE, WHICH IS WHY THE OWNER WOULD LIKE FORD TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE. FORD DID AGREE BUT THE PROCESS HAD TAKEN AN EXTRAORDINARILY LONG TIME AND CONTINUED TO MOVE AT A UNACCEPTABLY SLOW PACE. THE CONSUMER HAS INCURRED MAJOR TRAVEL EXPENSES AS A RESULT OF FORD NOT SUPPLYING A RENTAL VEHICLE COMPATIBLE T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040254 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032438 · 2003-09-12 (September 12, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND RATTLING. AFTER PULLING OVER TO THE SHOULDER TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, IT WAS FOUND THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS FAULTY AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THERE WERE NO INDICATION LIGHT ON AT ALL. *PH ALL ACCOUNTS TOOK PLACE APPROX. 11:30 P.M. ON AN EXTREMELY BUSY FREEWAY. AS OF 08/20/03, FORD HAD NOT COMPLIED WITH EITHER REPLACING THE ENGINE OR VEHICLE. *PH ALSO THE CONSUMER STATED THE COOLANT WAS LOW, AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032438 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11279677 · 2019-11-12 (November 12, 2019)
JUST DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 41 AND IT JUST STOPPED. ENGINE WENT DEAD. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AND TRIED STARTING AGAIN AND IT WOULDNT START. HAD TO GET IT TOWED. ITS BEEN IN SHOP FOR 20 DAYS. NEEDS A NEW FUEL TANK BECAUSE THE INNER LINING IS PEELING AND PARTICLES ARE GOING THROUGH ENGINE! NEED HELP I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK IN 2015 AND ITS BEEN IN SHOP 7 DIFFERENT TIMES.
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11279677 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10510985 · 2013-05-07 (May 7, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER REPAIRED NOR TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10510985 at NHTSA ↗