Ford F-250 Complaints (2003)
294 consumer complaints on file.
- #10165587August 15, 2006TIRES:TREAD/BELT
MY WIFE AND I WERE TRAVELING IN OUR 2003 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY LONG-BED PICKUP WITH 4 FIRESTONE STEELTEX R4S TIRES FILLED TO ABOUT 70PSI (COLD). THE TRUCK WAS CARRYING A LIGHT 8.5' POP-UP TRUCK-CAMPER (2500LBS) AND PULLING A SMALL 18' OPEN-BOW SKI BOAT (2300LBS) ON A SINGLE-AXLE TRAILER (850LBS - MEASURED TONGUE WEIGHT OF BOAT & TRAILER = 260 LBS. WE BEGAN FROM AN RV PARK IN RED BLUFF, CALIFORNIA, AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 AM, NORTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 5. TRAFFIC MODERATE AND WEATHER WAS CLEAR, DRY APPROXIMATELY 95 DEG F. THIRTY MINUTES LATER, WE WERE ABOUT 1 MILE SOUTH OF REDDING, CALIFORNIA, DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 58 MPH IN THE RIGHT LANE, WHEN THE TRUCK SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SHUDDER. SECONDS LATER THERE WAS A LOUD THUD, AND ALL INDICATIONS OF A RIGHT REAR BLOWOUT. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER AND STOP. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A RIGHT REAR TIRE FAILURE. THE TREAD WAS SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL AND ALL BUT WRAPPED AROUND THE AXLE. THE MUD FLAP AND WELL LINING WAS GONE. THE CHROME WHEEL-WELL TRIM WAS MANGLED, THE BED SIDE-PANEL SUPPORT ARM WAS RIPPED AWAY FROM THE BED BODY, AND THE OUTSIDE WALL OF THE TRUCK BED WAS FOLDED UNDER AND BENT AROUND THE EXHAUST PIPE. THERE WERE NUMEROUS SCRATCHES AND BLACK MARKS ALL OVER THE OUTSIDE BED BODY AND BUMPER. LATER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND THE SHOCK JAMMED CLOSED. AFTER REMOVING THE RIPPED TREAD, BLOWN TIRE AND OTHER BROKEN PIECES, I INSTALLED THE SPARE. WE WERE ABLE TO SAFELY PROCEED TO A NEARBY LES SCHWAB TIRE STORE A FEW MILES AWAY. I DECIDED THAT I COULD NOT TRUST THE REMAINING TIRES, SO I PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES, NEW REAR SHOCKS AND HAD THE SHOCK MOUNT REPAIRED AT A TOTAL COST OF $1000. I ASKED SEVERAL TECHNICIANS AS WELL AS THE TIRE STORE MANAGER TO INSPECT THE FAILED TIRE. THEY ALL AGREED THAT THE BLOWN TIRE APPEARED TO FAIL AS A RESULT OF TREAD SEPARATION, RATHER THAN A PUNCTURE OR SIDEWALL FAILURE. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10164808August 7, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE TURBO STARTED TO FLUTTER AND THE TRUCK EITHER STALLED OR ALMOST STALLED. THE VEHICLE STALLED 6 TIMES AND ON TWO OF THE OCCASIONS IT WOULD NOT START. THIS FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN NOVEMBER 2004 AND THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS AUGUST 4 2006. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ONLY WHILE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10163733July 27, 2006STRUCTURE, EQUIPMENT
I HAD A NEAR WRECK IN MY 2003 F250 SUPER DUTY CREW CAB, LARRIAT TRIM PACKAGE WHEN THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE ROOF OF THE CAB, AND FELL INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAB LANDING AT MY FEET, AND INTERFERING WITH THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS. NO FIRE OR WRECK, BUT CERTAINLY A NEAR MISS. I AM AWARE THAT THE HARD PLASTIC MOLDING AROUND THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE IS VERY BRITTLE, AND CAN CRACK AND BECOME DISLODGED IN NOT JUST MY TRUCK, BUT MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT I HAVE QUESTIONED REGARDING THIS MATTER. I WAS EVEN INFORMED BY A LOCAL DEALERSHIP THAT THEY CANNOT KEEP THIS ITEM IN STOCK IN THEIR PARTS DEPARTMENT BECAUSE EVERYONE'S OVERHEAD CONSOLES ARE BREAKING. THIS IS A RATHER LARGE PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT CAN INTERFERE WITH THE DRIVERS ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, AND IS A SAFTEY MATTER THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. OBVIOUSLY THE PARTICULAR TYPE OF PLASTIC USED TO MOLD THIS CONSOLE IS NOT APPROPRIATE, AND SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH A MORE PLYABLE, AND LESS BRITTLE MATERIAL, OR IT SHOULD BE BETTER SECURED TO THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE TO AVOID COMPLAINTS SUCH AS THIS. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10163508July 26, 2006STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
DAD*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT AND VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN EITHER TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED TWO POWER STEERING PUMPS AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. UPDATED 08/14/06. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10162763July 18, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE, THE SPARK PLUG WAS LYING ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10161253July 2, 2006TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE CAUSING A BIG DENT IN FENDER AND CAUSED ME TO LEAVE THE HIGHWAY AT A HIGH SPEED. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT FIRESTONE HAD WITH THEIR TIRES. I STILL HAVE THE TIRE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT FOR STUDY (GENERAL TIRE). *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10158917June 3, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
FAILED CPS (CAM POSITION SENSOR). *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10158274May 25, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE LOOSES 80 PERCENT OF THE POWER. THIS OCCURRENCE IS NOT DEPENDENT ON THE SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE MULTIPLE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THE TURBO CHARGER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, THE TURBO BOOST AND EGR VALVE HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE COMPUTER HAS BEEN REPROGRAMMED.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10157681May 16, 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CPS FAILURE ON A FORD F250 7.3 L TRUCK TRUCK STARTED CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10156842May 5, 2006EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
VEHICLE IS 2003 FORD SUPER DUTY F250. WITH 27K MILES. BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE CREATED A NEAR ACCIDENT. MANUAL TROUBLESHOOTING INDICATES A FAILURE OF THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH ASSOCIATED WITH THE TURN SIGNALS. HAZARD LIGHT DO NOT FUNCTION EXCEPT FOR RT. HAND FRONT YELLOW LIGHT. VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY REPAIRED FOR DEFECTIVE FUEL LEVEL ACTUATOR UNDER WARRANTY AND PROBLEM POSSIBLY STARTED AFTER THAT. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10155121April 12, 2006TIRES
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW UNIROYAL LAREDO TIRE NEAR AUSTIN, TEXAS AT AN NTB STORE. THE NTB STORE PUT THE TIRE ON THE RIGHT FRONT OF MY 2003 FORD F-250. WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF LEAVING THE NTB STORE, THE TIRE CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO BRING MY TRUCK (PULLING A LARGE GOOSENECK TRAILER) UNDER CONTROL ON I-35. THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS NOT ONLY FOR ME, BUT FOR MANY OF THE OTHER PEOPLE DRIVING ON I-35, AS VEHICLES HAD TO QUICKLY MOVE OUT OF MY WAY AS MY TRUCK WAS DRAGGED ACROSS AT LEAST ONE LANE OF TRAVEL, THE SHOULDER AND INTO THE GRASS ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. AFTERWARDS, THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF THE TIRE AND MY WHEEL WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. CLEARLY, THIS TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE IN ITS MANUFACTURER. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10154264March 31, 2006STEERING:LINKAGES, SUSPENSION
2003 FORD F 250 4X4 ALIGNMENT 6 TIMES... THIS TRUCK EATS TIRES.. FRIEND HAS 2005 ALIGNED 4 TIMES... DEALER SAYS NOT A PROBLEM... MUST BE AS I HAD A 1991 FOR 12 YEARS AND NOT ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10153341March 21, 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, TIRES:MARKINGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
I OWN A 2003 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY WITH A 7.3 LITRE DIESEL ENGINE. I CAME OVER A HILL AND WAS FACED WITH STOPPED TRAFFIC. I HAD A LOAD IN THE TRUCK BED MAKING THE TRUCK HEAVIER. THE TRUCK STALLED AND MY POWER BRAKING WAS LOST. I HAD TO STEER INTO THE MEDIUM CURB IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I CAME VERY CLOSE TO HITTING THE REAR OF A SMALL CAR IN FRONT OF ME, AND SHE HAD A BABY IN THE CAR. I HAVE REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE TRUCK NO LONGER STALLS. ANOTHER NAME FOR THE PART IS A DIESEL CAM SENSOR. MANY PEOPLE THAT I KNOW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME TRUCK. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10148022January 18, 2006AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE HIT A PATCH OF BLACK ICE AND FISH TAILED. THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL, FLIPPED END OVER END AND LANDED IN THE MEDIAN. THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER WERE NOT WEARING SEAT BELTS. THE DRIVER DIED AS A RESULT OF INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE ACCIDENT AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *NM UPDATED 2/7/2006 - *NM
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 1
- #10146878January 4, 2006POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 F-250 SD 4X4 CC 5.4 L GAS AUTO TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE TRUCK IS STARTED IT LURCHES FORWARD. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. FORDS RESPONSE IS THAT THIS IS NORMAL. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN AUTOMATIC AND IS IN PARK. IT HAPPENS IN BOTH COLD WEATHER AS WELL AS WARM. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10146276December 28, 2005SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE PROBLEM WAS RECOGNIZED AT 35,800 MILES (WHILE TRAVELING AT NIGHT). WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN APPOINTMENT (THE NEXT DAY) THERE WAS 36,500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. AT THE TIME OF THE APPOINTMENT THERE WAS 36,900 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANICS LOOKED AT THE FRONT END AND DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COST FOR THIS WORK IS $1,100. I SPOKE WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY WHEN IT GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THAT THE CUSTOMER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. FORD NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS!! *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10139555October 13, 2005POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 FORD F250 PICK UP TRUCK FREQUENTLY WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE COMPUTER CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM, HOWEVER ON THE ROAD THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. JERRY DUNCAN FORD IN HARRIMAN, TN CANNOT/WILL NOT AGREE TO COME TO THE SITE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS AND THEREFORE THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10136780September 16, 2005ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
2003 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY 6.0L POWER STROKE. I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK FOR 2 YEARS IT JUST SEEMS TO BE A NEVER ENDING ISSUE. I HAVE HAD THE COMPUTER REFLASHED 3 TIMES, 3 FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED ECT ECT ECT. MOST RECENTLY I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE COOLANT BLOWING OUT OF THE TANK IT HAS BROKE MY AIR RESTRICTION GAUGE 2 TIMES, AFTER REPEATED COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALER OF THIS ISSUE THEY RETURN THE TRUCK TO ME SAYING THERE IS NOT ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE COOLANT SYSTEM, THEN WHY IS THERE A STAIN UNDER MY HOOD FROM COOLANT? THIS HAPPENS MORE OFTEN DURING TOWING HOWEVER IT IS ONLY A 7000LB TRAILER? MY EGT'S ARE NOT HIGH? NOW THIS WEEK THE TRUCK HAS STARTED TO SURGE IDLE UP TO 1200-1300 RPMS FOR NO REASON AND SOMETIMES STALL? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS! ITS AN EXPENSIVE TRUCK AND I CANT KEEP SENDING IT TO THE SHOP EVERY FEW MONTHS FOR PROBLEMS. 100 DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLES GET EXPENSIVE!!!! WILL SOMEONE PLEASE HELP I KNOW ITS NOT THE FORD MECHANICS FAULTS THEY ARE MORE THAN LIKELY SICK OFF THIS TRUCK ALSO, THANKS. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10134066August 24, 2005STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND YOU HIT A POTHOLE OR BUMP IN THE ROAD THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHIMMIES TO POINT OF BEING UNCONTROLLABLE. ONCE YOU SLOW DOWN THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. THIS HAS OCCURED ON AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. ONCE AT APPROXIMATE MILEAGE 16,100, 20,600 AND 21,009. THE SPEED WAS AT HIGHWAY SPEED 60-65 MPH.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10133756August 22, 2005POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT: A SHIFT CABLE BROKE ON JUNE 5, 2005. CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY FIXED IT. HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE TRUCK BUT THIS ONE WAS THE BAD ONE. THE DEALER GAVE NO IDICATION WHY IT BROKE. ALSO, THEY HAD TO PULL OUT THE MOTOR BECAUSE OF AN OIL LEAK. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER AGAIN BECAUSE AN EMERGCEY LIGHT CAME ON. SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER ALL HE COULD SAY WAS THAT IT HAPPENED TO A COUPLE OF THEM. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0