Ford F-150 Complaints (2003)

423 consumer complaints on file.

#11757698August 18, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I moved my vehicle from driveway to park on the street so my husband could park in the driveway. I then turned my vehicle off and roughly 2 hours later, a lady came screaming "fire fire fire!" I went to see where she was talking about and my truck was smoking under the hood, I then called the fire department and they came to extinguish the fire. I was unaware of any recalls as I am the 3rd owner of this vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754716August 4, 2026
TIRES
The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150 equipped with Firestone Tires, Tire Line: Firestone, Tire Size: 265/70/R17, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, there was a burning rubber odor coming from the outside of the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle to inspect the tires and became aware that the tread of the tires was loose. Neither the dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 277,144.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742957June 9, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY, POWER TRAIN, WHEELS
UNKNOWN - however there were NO warning lights or any other indication of malfunction or to service the truck. I took the truck to an independent service center & they did a full inspection & I did receive an estimate for repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713867January 28, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My husband was shoveling snow off of our vehicles and seen smoke coming from under the hood of his truck. When he opened the hood the truck was on fire on the right side. The truck was turned off when this happened. He threw snow on top of it to put the fire out and unplugged the battery to prevent further fire damage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687019September 12, 2025
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Well the passenger side in front seat seat belt needs replaced due to getting stuck after front airbags in dash and steering wheel after deployment from barley tapping a vehicle in front of the truck
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678792August 6, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:COIL:SPARK PLUGS
The engine continues to shoot out the spark plugs. This is continued to happen with different cylinders. I’ve had it at the mechanic most of the time I’ve owned it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648725March 17, 2025
STEERING
The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel felt very loose and was difficult to turn. The vehicle was restarted. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11596528June 25, 2024
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon attempting to enter the vehicle, the contact became aware that the driver’s and passenger’s side rear doors failed to open after several attempts. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566652January 20, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I purchased this F150 in November, 2023. The only code shown was a lean code, P0171. I removed the bed first to begin my inspection. Upon removing the original fuel tank, I discovered a gash in the top of the tank,about 1/8" wide by 3" long. It should have set a code like a missing gas cap would, but there was none. The gash appeared to be several years old due to the rust pitting. I believe the gash was a result of the cross member rubbing against the tank. The previous owner did not mention the defect. Fuel would have spilled out if the tank was completely filled. I did not find any service alerts for this though they may exist. The truck currently has 225k miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550463October 17, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Our truck has been great but we have a major problem. It is leaking water when it rains. Getting front floor carpet wet and now it is getting the fuse box wet and causing electrical systems to not work. Like today the odometer won't light up. Also dripping from top of windshield. We are having the windshield and seal replaced on Thursday but the glass company says they can't guarantee m of seal will stop the Problem. He said the drain system was factory installed backwards and it's not draining properly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11544493September 14, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off for approximately an hour, they were suddenly informed that their vehicle had caught fire. When the contact arrived at the vehicle the fire department had already arrived and extinguished the fire. There was a police report was filed that stated that the fire was caused by wiring in the engine compartment. There were no injuries or medical assistance. There was damage to a nearby vehicle, fence, tree, and surrounding grounds. The vehicle had been towed and deemed totaled. The contact had later learned of NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V017000 (Vehicle Speed Control) however the vehicle had never been repaired for the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 250,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11523634May 24, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Ford placed a decal on the rear differential that wraps all the way around the axle. This decal holds water and has caused any area touching the decal to rust excessively. Ford has told me that this will cause they rear differential fail. When this happens it will likely be when I'm driving with my wife and two young kids. The only way to know that this issue exists is to either get under the truck and remove the decal which causes and also covers the damage, or to have the axle give out while driving. This was recently discovered while working on the vehicle. I don't currently have pictures as the vehicle is in for other repairs, but I can get pictures once I get the vehicle back.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519494April 28, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Transmission
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11510283March 6, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
On the day of Monday February 20 2023 I was in my front driveway preforming some maintenance on my 2003 Ford F-150 Xlt SuperCrew truck a gear shift cable and a heater core replacement. Once I finished the repairs I ran my truck for a few minutes then shut it off and was headed inside when I noticed a flickering light coming from the passenger side of the vehicle I walked to the truck and opened the door and I saw small flames dripping down coming from the ( glove box area ) I then grabbed the water hose and put it out . Once the small fire was out I proceeded to go in the house when I noticed black smoke coming ( from the engine bay from the vents in front of the windshield) the smoke got thicker as I sprayed it with water I then called to my spouse to call the local Fire Department. The vehicle was a total loss nothing was left interior wise no ( steering wheel,no console,no dashboard or anything.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496499December 7, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE
On 11/27/2022 at or around 4:30 P.M. my 2003 Ford F-150 burned almost completely, without any mechanical failures or warnings, thirty full minutes after being parked and then after only having been run for three to four miles. The fire department ended up putting it out before it was fully consumed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11491023October 26, 2022
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V385000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11404479March 23, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FRONT DRIVER SEAT MOVES ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING OR TOUCHING CONTROLS AND NO PROBLEM WITH FUSES ETC. WHEN TRYING TO USE CONTROLS THEY DO NOT ALWAYS WORK UNTIL YOUR DRIVING OR IN DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11388162January 14, 2021
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT'S BOYFRIEND OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE IGNITION COILS AND ALL SPARK PLUGS WOULD BLOW OUT INSIDE OF THE ENGINE WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS HAD THE IGNITION COILS AND SPARKS PLUGS REPLACED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS ALL BY INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT ALSO CALLED THREE SEPARATE DEALERS BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. SHE WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11383619December 16, 2020
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL TANK SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, RESULTING IN FUEL SPILL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11372877November 3, 2020
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
ON NOVEMBER 01,2020 I WAS INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE ROLLOVER IN MY FORD F150 2003 WHICH THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND SEATBELT LOCKED I WAS ENTERTAINING INTERSECTION AND ALMOST THROUGH IT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN THE STOP LIGHT CAUSING ME TO ROLLOVER ONE IN HALF TIMES. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND SEAT ALMOST DETACHED FROM CAB.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0

← Back to Ford F-150