no report yet
Exterior lighting: brake lights
Risk. NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
2003 Ford F-450 SDProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 16 owner complaints about the 2003 Ford F-450 SD, most often about the fuel system, diesel. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 6, 2013. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2003 Ford F-450 SD has problems
16 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
6Fuel system, diesel
4Engine and engine cooling
2Suspension
2Tires
1Service brakes, hydraulic
1Wheels
1Steering
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system, diesel | 6 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2003 Ford F-450 SD 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
Vehicle speed control
Risk. A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
no report yet
Engine: diesel
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control
Risk. OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE, BURN, OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Show 1 more recall
no report yet
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery
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…
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-450 SD 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-450 SD median. How we score
'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2003 Ford F-450 SD, and the recalls they led to.
- ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (ETC)No recall
- ENGINE STALLINGLed to recall 05V-270
- ENGINE STALLINGLed to recall 07V-553
In owners' words
What F-450 SD owners report
Recent fuel system, diesel complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE AND LOSE POWER, EVENTUALLY NOT EVEN BEING ABLE TO STAY RUNNING. THE MECHANIC UPON REVIEW FOUND THE TANK LINER HAD DELAMINATED FROM INSIDE FUEL TANK AND HAD PLUGGED UP FUEL SENDER. BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACE AT A COST OF $2800, FORD DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD…
THE EGR, FICM, AND INJECTORS ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE CAUSED TRAFFIC HAZARDS. WE CAN NOT PULL OUT WITHOUT THE ENGINE SPITTING AND SPUTTERING. WE HAVE REPLACE ALL OF THE ABOVE, SOME MORE THAN ONCE. LAST TIME IN TO THE FORD DEALER THEY SUGGESTED THAT WE USE A THINNER OIL TO LUBRICATE THE INJECTORS…
THE COATING ON THE INTERIOR OF FORD DIESEL FUEL TANKS CORRODES AND COLLECTS AS SEDIMENT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE SEDIMENT, COLLECTS AT THE BOTTON OF THE FUEL TANK AND IS SUCKED INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FUEL LINES BECOME FOULED, THE FUEL PUMPS BECOME CLOGGED AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. AS THE COATING…
Own a 2003 F-450 SD?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.