MYRModel Year Report

2003 Ford F-250

▲ Better than typical
2003 Ford F-250
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:34:36.245Z

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
116
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

21% of complaints

Complaints per year

1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 4 complaints 1991: 107 complaints 1992: 119 complaints 1993: 131 complaints 1994: 125 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 116 2004: 153 complaints 2005: 144 complaints 2006: 221 complaints 2007: 60 complaints 2008: 196 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: 1,082 complaints 2018: 382 complaints 2019: 1,151 complaints 2019 2020: 253 complaints 2021: 158 complaints 2022: 116 complaints
1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 4 complaints 1991: 107 complaints 1992: 119 complaints 1992 1993: 131 complaints 1994: 125 complaints 1995: 184 complaints 1995 1996: 176 complaints 1997: 304 complaints 1998: 56 complaints 1998 1999: 581 complaints 2000: 326 complaints 2001: 220 complaints 2001 2002: 156 complaints 2003: 116 complaints 2003 116 2004: 153 complaints 2005: 144 complaints 2006: 221 complaints 2007: 60 complaints 2007 2008: 196 complaints 2009: 54 complaints 2010: 73 complaints 2010 2011: 248 complaints 2012: 266 complaints 2013: 95 complaints 2013 2014: 142 complaints 2015: 273 complaints 2016: 275 complaints 2016 2017: 1,082 complaints 2018: 382 complaints 2019: 1,151 complaints 2019 2020: 253 complaints 2021: 158 complaints 2022: 116 complaints 2022
1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 4 complaints 1991: 107 complaints 1991 1992: 119 complaints 1993: 131 complaints 1993 1994: 125 complaints 1995: 184 complaints 1995 1996: 176 complaints 1997: 304 complaints 1997 1998: 56 complaints 1999: 581 complaints 1999 2000: 326 complaints 2001: 220 complaints 2001 2002: 156 complaints 2003: 116 complaints 2003 116 2004: 153 complaints 2005: 144 complaints 2005 2006: 221 complaints 2007: 60 complaints 2007 2008: 196 complaints 2009: 54 complaints 2009 2010: 73 complaints 2011: 248 complaints 2011 2012: 266 complaints 2013: 95 complaints 2013 2014: 142 complaints 2015: 273 complaints 2015 2016: 275 complaints 2017: 1,082 complaints 2017 2018: 382 complaints 2019: 1,151 complaints 2019 2020: 253 complaints 2021: 158 complaints 2021 2022: 116 complaints

2003: 116 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198911
19904
1991107
1992119
1993131
1994125
1995184
1996176
1997304
199856
1999581
2000326
2001220
2002156
2003116
2004153
2005144
2006221
200760
2008196
200954
201073
2011248
2012266
201395
2014142
2015273
2016275
20171,082
2018382
20191,151
2020253
2021158
2022116

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

21% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing diesel and engine.

Tires

17% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tire failure

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-03-24

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, 2012-07-09

Service brakes

13% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2017-11-02

Also filed under Power train

Engine

11% · 13 reports
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…

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-10-06

Also filed under Electrical system

Electrical system

11% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and ignition.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle parked cold eng 15 mins, would not start, smoke and dashboard on fire ---- cruise control ?

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-05-10

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2004-07-22Electrical system04V327000 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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2004-10-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-02-15 Engine stalling
  3. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
  4. R
    2006-06-14Exterior lighting06E052000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2007-09-05Equipment07E066000 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…

    Remedy: All of the defective tow packages are still at the distributor level and have not been sold to any consumers.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2011-08-15Exterior lighting11V352000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Ford F-250 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 24 reports on file for this year.
  • Tires: 20 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 15 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V327000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 06E052000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E066000 · Equipment
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 11V352000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 engine and engine cooling, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford F-250 have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.