Menu

2003 Ford F-350Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 90 owner complaints about the 2003 Ford F-350, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

2003 Ford F-350
50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the F-350 median · #13 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints9024 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage15kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 29, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Ford F-350 has problems

90 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling191
Vehicle speed control132
Electrical system116
Tires70
Engine70
Steering62
Service brakes, hydraulic51
Fuel system, gasoline40
Power train40
11 other systems239

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2003 Ford F-350 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery

Recall 04V-327 · Jul 7, 2004 · 83,687 vehicles

Risk. IF THE GROUND WIRE IS LOOSE, ELECTRICAL CURRENT MAY FLOW TO THE RADIO SUPPRESSION STRAP CAUSING IT TO HEAT AND POTENTIALLY MELT OR IGNITE ADJACENT COMPONENTS…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other F-350 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the F-350 median. How we score

'67'68'69'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Ford F-350, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  2. ENGINE STALLINGPE04070 · closed Feb 15, 2005
    No recall
In owners' words

What F-350 owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CRACKED "Y" PIPE IS LEAKING DIESEL EXHAUST FUMES INTO CAB OF TRUCK. THIS OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY WHEN THE TRUCK WAS UNDER WARRANTY BACK IN 2004 BUT NOW IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY NOR IS THERE A RECALL. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP TO SEVERAL DEALERS IN THE AREA BUT UNLESS IT IS UNDER WARRANTY THEY WON'T COVER…
Complaint 10567257 · Feb 27, 2014 · 15,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F350 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE EGR EXHAUST SYSTEM VALVE BUT THE DEALER DID…
Complaint 10445916 · Jan 30, 2012 · 10,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A SPARK PLUG FLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND HIT THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE A COIL AND THE SPARK PLUG WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES…
Complaint 10361439 · Oct 20, 2010 · 98,000 miles

Own a 2003 F-350?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.