Model year record

2003 Ford F-250

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 155 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 11V352000

Exterior lighting: tail lights

Component
Exterior lighting: tail lights
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
26,715
Reported to NHTSA
2011-07-13
Owners notified
2011-08-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V327000

Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery

Component
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
83,687
Reported to NHTSA
2004-07-07
Owners notified
2004-07-22

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES, THE ENGINE GROUND STUD THAT ATTACHES THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL EYELET TO THE ENGINE BLOCK MAY BE LOOSE.

Safety 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 WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE GROUND STUD AND THE RADIO SUPPRESSION STRAP AND ADJACENT COMPONENTS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND REPLACED, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine14115,000 mi
Tires14142,900 mi
Electrical system11120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1015,600 mi
Service brakes9155,000 mi
Steering6104,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission532,000 mi
Structure: body562,000 mi
Suspension5104,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt577,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine4120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel411,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system460,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic433,309 mi
Unknown or other4
Vehicle speed control4189,168 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system310,000 mi
Power train3170,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control342,000 mi
Fuel system, diesel25,810 mi
Fuel system, gasoline256,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission2289 mi
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm221,009 mi
Wheels25,000 mi
Air bags1345,555 mi
Air bags: frontal140,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers15,810 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control111,600 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor148 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe113,500 mi
Exterior lighting1200,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors12,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly123,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting1150,715 mi
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system135,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift125,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly1
Power train: driveline1120,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor122,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum125,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1289 mi
Steering: column1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: linkages1
Structure190,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint119,307 mi
Tires: sidewall111,400 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1273,000 mi
Visibility/wiper1300,000 mi
Wheels: rim1

The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.