2003 Ford F-550 SD

▲ Better than typical
2003 Ford F-550 SD
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:01:20.127Z

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-550 SD Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1993: 0 complaints 1993 1994: 0 complaints 1995: 0 complaints 1996: 0 complaints 1997: 2 complaints 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 61 complaints 2000: 72 complaints 2001: 29 complaints 2002: 22 complaints 2003: 33 complaints 2003 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 32 complaints 2006: 44 complaints 2007: 23 complaints 2008: 26 complaints 2008 2009: 1 complaints 2010: 1 complaints 2011: 3 complaints 2012: 6 complaints 2013: 2 complaints 2013 2014: 9 complaints 2015: 11 complaints 2016: 3 complaints 2017: 2 complaints 2018: 0 complaints 2018 2019: 4 complaints 2020: 4 complaints 2021: 11 complaints 2022: 9 complaints 2023: 1 complaints 2023 2024: 2 complaints 2025: 1 complaints 2026: 1 complaints 2026
2003: 33 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19930
19940
19950
19960
19972
19980
199961
200072
200129
200222
200333
200449
200532
200644
200723
200826
20091
20101
20113
20126
20132
20149
201511
20163
20172
20180
20194
20204
202111
20229
20231
20242
20251
20261

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 36%

36% of complaints: fuel system, diesel — 12 distinct reports on file.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 9%

9% of complaints: fuel system, diesel — 3 distinct reports on file.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 2 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

WATTER SEPERATOR VALVE DUMPED FUEL ON THE TURBO CAUSING A FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20170118

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-550 SD. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE FUEL TANK DISINTEGRATED. THE FLOAT FILTER AND FILTER WERE CLOGGED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180110

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 2 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 2 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20040223 — EA (closed 20050210)

ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (ETC)

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 20050215 — EA (closed 20051102)

ENGINE STALLING

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 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-550 SD — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for fuel system, diesel issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, diesel issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V327000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V078000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V553000 (engine and engine cooling) 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

▲ 2005 ● 2006 ● 2004

WORST YEARS

◆ 2000 ◆ 1999 ● 2004

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Ford F-550 SD reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Ford F-550 SD is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford F-550 SD?

The most-reported component is fuel system, diesel, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Ford F-550 SD have?

5 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.