CarRecallWatchThe 2003 Ford F-250 has 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA, including 6 crashes, 8 fires, 4 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine And Engine Cooling (24 reports).
2003 Ford F-250 recalls
Most common 2003 Ford F-250 problems
Problem areas named in the 116 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 24 |
| Tires | 20 |
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Power Train | 13 |
| Engine | 13 |
| Steering | 11 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 7 |
| Suspension | 6 |
What owners report
The customer purchased a vehicle from Metro Motors on May 8, 2026, after visiting the dealership three times and speaking with multiple sales representatives. During each visit, the customer specifically stated that the vehicle would be used to tow a trailer and repeatedly asked whether it was safe and suitable for towing. The sales staff consistently represented that the vehicle was in good working condition, had low mileage, showed no significant issues on the Carfax report, and would be an excellent vehicle for towing. The customer was discouraged from test driving the vehicle because it was low on fuel, and sales staff stated that the only reason it had not sold was the snowplow attached
The contact owned a 2003 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while her husband was driving home, there was black smoke coming from the exhaust, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence and turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 171,000.
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 W
Speed control sensor allows brake fluid leak through the plug connector and run down the wiring harness, allowing brake fluid to splash on the exhaust manifold and cause a fire.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-250. The contact stated that both turn signals and the windshield wipers would intermittently fail to operate as needed. Over time, the failure worsened and the components failed to operate. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
2003 Ford F-250 questions
Does the 2003 Ford F-250 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2003 Ford F-250: Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights; Electrical System:12V/24V/48V Battery. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford F-250?
Based on 116 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine And Engine Cooling (24), Tires (20), Electrical System (13).
How do I check if a recall on my 2003 Ford F-250 has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.