no report yet
Exterior lighting: brake lights
Risk. NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
2003 Ford F-550 SDProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 33 owner complaints about the 2003 Ford F-550 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 January 10, 2018. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2003 Ford F-550 SD has problems
33 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
15Fuel system, diesel
6Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
2Equipment
2Fuel/propulsion system
2Engine
2Suspension
2Power train
1Air bags
1Wheels
66 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system, diesel | 15 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 1 |
| Equipment | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 1 |
| Engine | 2 | 1 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 |
| Power train | 2 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 |
| 6 other systems | 6 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2003 Ford F-550 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-550 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-550 SD median. How we score
'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-550 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-550 SD owners report
Recent fuel system, diesel complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK INNER LINING WAS DE-LAMINATING AND BEING DRAWN INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY, THE CONTACT DECIDED TO…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD DELAMINATED AND CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO CLOGGED UP. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND STALL WHILE DRIVING UPHILL. THE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $900 TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK SINCE THERE WERE NO…
I HAVE 2 FORD F550 TRUCKS (2001,2003). BOTH TRUCKS WITH VERY LOW MILEAGE (37K, 56K MILES). BOTH DIESEL ENGINES. BOTH HAVE ONLY HAD EITHER SHELL OR CHEVRON FUEL PUT IN THEM. NO BIO FUELS. THE INTERIOR OF BOTH MY TRUCKS FUEL TANKS ARE DELAMINATING AND CAUSING THE VARIOUS FUEL FILTERS TO CLOG WITH A…
Own a 2003 F-550 SD?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.