2003 Ford F-150
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 2 |
| 1987 | 2 |
| 1989 | 14 |
| 1990 | 21 |
| 1991 | 306 |
| 1992 | 479 |
| 1993 | 588 |
| 1994 | 700 |
| 1995 | 626 |
| 1996 | 324 |
| 1997 | 2758 |
| 1998 | 1381 |
| 1999 | 1044 |
| 2000 | 1075 |
| 2001 | 1236 |
| 2002 | 821 |
| 2003 | 423 |
| 2004 | 2028 |
| 2005 | 1112 |
| 2006 | 585 |
| 2007 | 488 |
| 2008 | 368 |
| 2009 | 324 |
| 2010 | 842 |
| 2011 | 2185 |
| 2012 | 1776 |
| 2013 | 2978 |
| 2014 | 1520 |
| 2015 | 1685 |
| 2016 | 2026 |
| 2017 | 1416 |
| 2018 | 2276 |
| 2019 | 1312 |
| 2020 | 717 |
| 2021 | 991 |
| 2022 | 581 |
| 2023 | 400 |
| 2024 | 185 |
| 2025 | 102 |
| 2026 | 7 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
17% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 71 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.
FIRE15% of complaints: power train — 63 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing transfer case (4-wheel drive) and automatic transmission.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
PURCHASED NEW FORD HARLEY PICKUP. LOUD NOISE IN REAR, SHOP COULD NOT IDENTIFY. REAR AXLE BROKE IN CURVE AND REAR WHEEL ON DRIVER SIDE WAS SEVERAL YARDS FROM WHERE TRUCK FINALLY RAN OFF ROAD AND OVERTURNED. TOTAL LOSS. *NLM
NHTSA ODI report, 20030522
11% of complaints: electrical system — 48 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing interior/under dash and fuses and circuit breakers.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
I moved my vehicle from driveway to park on the street so my husband could park in the driveway.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260818
Also filed under ENGINE and UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off for approximately an hour, they were suddenly informed that their vehicle had caught fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230914
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT'S SISTER SMELLED SMOKE COMING THEIR BEDROOM WINDOW. THE CONTACT WENT OUTSIDE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE DRIVER SIDE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190726
8% of complaints: structure — 35 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and door.
CRASH FIRE INJURY8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cables.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ACCORDING TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING A SHORT AND THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY BURNED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20121017
SAFETY TIMELINE
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE PITMAN ARM TO STEERING GEAR RETAINING NUT WAS NOT FULLY TIGHTENED TO THE REQUIRED SPECIFICATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE PITMAN ARM RETAINING NUT TO SPECIFICATIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 1, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 03V349000 — check if this car was fixed
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMPS, P/NOS. FR208-B101R, FR208-B101L, FR208-B001R, AND FR208-B001L, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CON
Remedy: SABRY LEE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER FULL CREDIT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLAMP. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JUNE 14, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABRY LEE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT 1-866-467-2279.
Campaign 06E052000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 331-1129L-ASN AND 331-1129R-ASN, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFOR
Remedy: MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.
Campaign 06E067000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN
Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
Campaign 06E056000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
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
Campaign 07V078000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, S
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION
Campaign 07V336000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILE
Remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
Campaign 07E066000 — check if this car was fixed
CNG REGULATOR LEAK
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS REPLACED WITH STRAPS THAT HAVE INCREASED CORROSION PROTECTION. EARLY IN THIS
Campaign 11V385000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2003 Ford F-150 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (71 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (63 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (48 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 03V349000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E052000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E067000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E056000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V078000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V336000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E066000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2003 Ford F-150 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Ford F-150 is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford F-150?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford F-150 have?
11 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.