2003 Ford F-250 SD

◆ Worse than typical
2003 Ford F-250 SD
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:02:10.194Z

This year had 30% to 100% more 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford F-250 SD Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1991: 1 complaints 1991 1992: 3 complaints 1993: 4 complaints 1994: 2 complaints 1995: 9 complaints 1996: 11 complaints 1996 1997: 39 complaints 1998: 1 complaints 1999: 249 complaints 2000: 233 complaints 2001: 288 complaints 2001 2002: 245 complaints 2003: 178 complaints 2003 2004: 254 complaints 2005: 295 complaints 2006: 274 complaints 2006 2007: 54 complaints 2008: 141 complaints 2009: 23 complaints 2010: 32 complaints 2011: 122 complaints 2011 2012: 57 complaints 2013: 21 complaints 2014: 26 complaints 2015: 22 complaints 2016: 10 complaints 2016 2017: 73 complaints 2018: 15 complaints 2019: 9 complaints 2020: 3 complaints 2021: 0 complaints 2021 2022: 3 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 34 complaints 2025: 15 complaints 2026: 7 complaints 2026
2003: 178 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19911
19923
19934
19942
19959
199611
199739
19981
1999249
2000233
2001288
2002245
2003178
2004254
2005295
2006274
200754
2008141
200923
201032
2011122
201257
201321
201426
201522
201610
201773
201815
20199
20203
20210
20223
202343
202434
202515
20267

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 15%

15% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 27 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%

12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 21 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%

8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 14 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
TIRES 7%

7% of complaints: tires — 12 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

2003 — complaint volume: 178
I 20040223 — EA (closed 20050210)

ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (ETC)

I 20041007 — PE (closed 20050215)

ENGINE STALLING

I 20050215 — EA (closed 20051102)

ENGINE STALLING

I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20060622 — EA (closed 20071207)

ENGINE STALLING

R 20070312 — vehicle speed control

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

R 20071229 — engine and engine cooling

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.

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.

Campaign 07V553000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080207 — wheels

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

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.

Campaign 07E106000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20091027 — vehicle speed control

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

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 CO

Campaign 09V399000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20110815 — exterior lighting

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

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.

Campaign 11V352000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Ford F-250 SD — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (27 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (21 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V078000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V553000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E106000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V352000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2024 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2001 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Ford F-250 SD reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Ford F-250 SD is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford F-250 SD?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel, accounting for 15% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Ford F-250 SD have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.