MYRModel Year Report

2003 Ford F-250

▲ Better than typical
2003 Ford F-250
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:01:22.775Z

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford F-250 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 4 complaints 1991: 107 complaints 1992: 119 complaints 1993: 130 complaints 1994: 123 complaints 1994 1995: 184 complaints 1996: 176 complaints 1997: 304 complaints 1998: 56 complaints 1999: 581 complaints 1999 2000: 326 complaints 2001: 220 complaints 2002: 156 complaints 2003: 116 complaints 2003 2004: 153 complaints 2004 2005: 144 complaints 2006: 221 complaints 2007: 60 complaints 2008: 195 complaints 2009: 54 complaints 2009 2010: 73 complaints 2011: 248 complaints 2012: 266 complaints 2013: 95 complaints 2014: 142 complaints 2014 2015: 273 complaints 2016: 275 complaints 2017: 1082 complaints 2018: 382 complaints 2019: 1151 complaints 2019 2020: 253 complaints 2021: 158 complaints 2022: 116 complaints 2022
2003: 116 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
198911
19904
1991107
1992119
1993130
1994123
1995184
1996176
1997304
199856
1999581
2000326
2001220
2002156
2003116
2004153
2005144
2006221
200760
2008195
200954
201073
2011248
2012266
201395
2014142
2015273
2016275
20171082
2018382
20191151
2020253
2021158
2022116

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

TIRES 12%

12% of complaints: tires — 14 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TIRE FAILURE

NHTSA ODI report, 20170324

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-250 EQUIPPED WITH DEFINITY TIRES A/T 33 12.5R 16.5. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER TO RECEIVE INJURIES TO HIS LOWER BACK.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120709

ENGINE 11%

11% of complaints: engine — 13 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Truck had no check engine light then caught on fire going down the road and burned to ground within seconds Incident report 46-24-05039 08_30-74 US-30 - PA 74 30 W

NHTSA ODI report, 20241006

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 11 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Truck had no check engine light then caught on fire going down the road and burned to ground within seconds Incident report 46-24-05039 08_30-74 US-30 - PA 74 30 W

NHTSA ODI report, 20241006

VEHICLE PARKED COLD ENG 15 MINS, WOULD NOT START, SMOKE AND DASHBOARD ON FIRE ---- CRUISE CONTROL ?

NHTSA ODI report, 20050510

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 10 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes — 8 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I HAD PARKED MY TRUCK IN MY DRIVEWAY. I PUT IT IN PARK, SET THE PARKING BRAKE AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. AS I STEPPED OUT OF THE TRUCK THE TRUCK ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY DRAGGING ME ABOUT 100 FT STIKING THE POWER POLE AT THE END OF THE DIVEWAY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171102

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20040722 — electrical system

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.

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. OWNE

Campaign 04V327000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20041007 — PE (closed 20050215)

ENGINE STALLING

I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

R 20060614 — exterior lighting

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

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE N

Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070905 — equipment

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

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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

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 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for tires issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V327000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E052000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E066000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V352000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2009 ▲ 1998 ▲ 2007

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2017 ■ 1999

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Ford F-250 reliable?

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

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

The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 12% of complaints on file.

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

7 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.