2003 Ford F-350 SD recalls and problems

4 recalls and 132 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Ford F-350 SD.

4
recalls
132
owner complaints
6
complaints mentioning a crash
2
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2003 Ford F-350 SD recalls

Exterior lighting: brake lights · Exterior lighting: tail lights

NHTSA campaign 11V352000 · reported July 13, 2011 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 26,715 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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 through 2011 model year ranger trucks, 2002 through 2005 model year excursion vehicles, and 2002 through 2007 model year f-250, f-350, f-450, and f-550 trucks for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the multi-function switch was shipped with a subcomponent (slider) that may experience deformation. A multi-function switch with a deformed slider may malfunction causing the turn signal, tail lights, hazard warning signal flashers and/or brake lights not to activate.
The risk
Non-functioning lights could increase the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Vehicle speed control

NHTSA campaign 09V399000 · reported October 13, 2009 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 4,500,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
The risk
A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
The fix
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 connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.

Engine and engine cooling: engine, diesel

NHTSA campaign 07V553000 · reported December 5, 2007 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 1,176,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
In the event of an engine stall, a crash could result without warning.
The fix
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.

Vehicle speed control

NHTSA campaign 07V078000 · reported March 6, 2007 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 155,584 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
The risk
Overheating could result in smoke, burn, or an underhood fire.
The fix
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, 05v388, and 06v286)

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jan 9, 2019 · Fuel/propulsion system · 200,000 miles

FUEL TANK DELAMINATION LEADING TO STALLING AND EVENTUAL REPLACEMENT OF THE TANK AT MY COST

Oct 22, 2018 · Engine · 56,000 miles

WHILE PREPARING FOR A CAMPING TRIP THIS PASS SUMMER, I WENT TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL. WHEN I WENT TO REMOVE THE OIL DIPSTICK, THE DIPSTICK TUBE BROKE, DUE TO CORROSION. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN MY 25 YEARS OF OWNING A VEHICLE FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. IT WOULD BE ALRIGHT, BUT IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE TUBE, IT IS REQUIRED TO…

Jul 17, 2017 · Wheels · 57,500 miles

I PURCHASED LT265/75/16 BF GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A TIRES FOR MY TRUCK EXACTLY 5 YEARS AND JUST OVER 21K MILES LATER I HAD 2 SEPARATE TIRE FAILURES LESS THAN A FEW HUNDRED MILES APART. FIRST TIRE A BELT SLIPPED. HAD A GIANT BULGE IN THE TREAD. I PUT MY SPARE ON AND INSPECTED THE OTHER TIRES. ALL OK. NO CRACKS NO…

Jun 16, 2016 · Tires · 46,100 miles

TIRE FAILURE. DESTROYED MY OUTER FENDER ON 2003 F350 DUALLY DAMAGED INCLUDED, OUTER FENDER, INNER FENDER, DAMAGE TO THE BED OF THE TRUCK, AND DAMAGE TO THE SUPPORT BRACKETS. BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED ABOUT A MONTH AGO. NOT SURE WHEN THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED. MILEAGE ON TIRES IS AN ASSUMPTION

Jun 18, 2015 · Tires · 250,000 miles · crash reported

TRUCK STARTS TO HAVE A VIBRATION AND AT HIGHER SPEED GETS WORSE BY THE TIME YOU THINK IT MAY BE A BAD TIRE YOU MAY GET PULLED OVER BEFORE IT BLOWS OUT OR IT BLOWS DOING EXTENSIVE VEHICLE DAMAGE BEFORE YOU GET STOPPED. BETWEEN 04/15/09 TO 08/16/12 I PURCHASED 6 UNIROYAL LAREDO 265/75R16 TIRES FOR 2003 F-350 FORD TRUCK…

F-350 SD model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2000 215787
2001 2158912
2002 312478
2003 413262
2004 213032
2005 321788
2006 112751

Across all years, the 2017 F-350 SD has the most complaints (575). All Ford F-350 SD years →

Questions

Does the 2003 Ford F-350 SD have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2003 Ford F-350 SD, the most recent reported on July 13, 2011 (Exterior lighting: brake lights, Exterior lighting: tail lights). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford F-350 SD?
Owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine and engine cooling (51 complaints), followed by fuel system, diesel (16).
How many 2003 Ford F-350 SD complaints mention a crash or fire?
6 of 132 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 4 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received January 9, 2019.