2003 Ford F-450 SD: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
55,221 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Diesel is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 16 complaints (37.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 31.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 6.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Diesel | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 |
| Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Fuel System, Diesel: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 1; Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion): 1; Suspension: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2003: 3; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2008: 3; 2009: 2; 2010: 3; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Diesel leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10017409 · 2003-04-23 (April 23, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PROPERLY ALIGNED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT. TWO TIRES WERE ALSO RUINED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017409 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018224 · 2003-05-09 (May 9, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH THE ATTACK SETUP. MR THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP IN A SAFE WAY. AND THE PROBLEM ONLY OCCURRED WHEN IT WAS TOWING. SCC. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018224 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050206 · 2003-12-08 (December 8, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, BOTH REAR WHEEL LUGS NUTS CAME OFF THE TIRES, CAUSING THE TIRES TO DETACH FROM VEHICLE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 4,053 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050206 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10115622 · 2005-03-23 (March 23, 2005)
THE MOTOR WAS LEAKING NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF OIL BETWEEN THE BLOCK WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A NEW REPLACEMENT MOTOR, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10115622 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10122304 · 2005-05-27 (May 27, 2005)
WHILE SITTING ON THE SCENE OF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY WITH ENGINE IDLING, THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND THEM WOULD NOT TURN OVER TO START(LOCKED UP)
Owner-reported narrative. 55,221 miles reported. Look up ODI 10122304 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10125472 · 2005-06-16 (June 16, 2005)
DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES IT IS DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. THE HARDER THE BRAKE IS PRESSED THE HARDER IT IS TO TURN THE WHEEL UNTIL THE STEERING IS LOCKED UP. EVENTUALLY THE STEERING GEAR STARTED LEAKING, LEADING TO REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING GEAR. THIS DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10125472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10152286 · 2006-03-09 (March 9, 2006)
EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE: TRUCK WAS PURCHASED ON 12-19-03 1.) ON 1-19-04 TRUCK HAD NO POWER, DEALER FOUND 2,3 INJECTOR SHORTED, DEALER REPLACED INJECTORS AND CHECKED BORE IN CYL HEAD PER HOTLINE. 2.)1-21-04 ENGINE WAS MISSING IN FIRE. DEALER REPLACED BOTH INJECTORS PER HOTLINE. O-RINGS BLOWN APART AND INJECTOR WONT SEAT, HOTLINE SUGGEST LOOKING AT BORE AND FOUND BURR IN BORE NOT ALLOWING INJECTOR TO SEAT . 3.) 2-23-04 ENGINE LOCKED UP ON HWY, FUEL COMING OUT OF EXHAUST. DEALER FOUND EXCESSIVE FUEL IN CYLINDERS AND TURBO, DEALER REMOVED…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152286 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10239016 · 2008-08-20 (August 20, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F450 SUPER DUTY. THE VEHICLE HAS DOUBLE COIN RADIAL TIRES, SIZE 225/70/19.5 (NA). THE TIRES WERE SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT TIRE MECHANIC AND TREAD SEPARATION WAS DISCOVERED IN SIX TIRES. THERE WERE FIVE TIRES WITH THE SAME DOT NUMBER. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,773 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,343. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ THE TIRES WERE PRORATED. UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 95,733 miles reported. Look up ODI 10239016 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V327000 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
Reported: 2004-07-07 (July 7, 2004)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V078000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 2007-03-06 (March 6, 2007)
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)
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V553000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel
Reported: 2007-12-05 (December 5, 2007)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 2009-10-13 (October 13, 2009)
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 BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
NHTSA campaign record ↗11V352000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
Reported: 2011-07-13 (July 13, 2011)
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 TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗