Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Ford F-350 SD

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 164 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 09V399000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
4,500,000
Reported to NHTSA
2009-10-13
Owners notified
2009-10-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V553000

Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
1,176,000
Reported to NHTSA
2007-12-05
Owners notified
2007-12-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V078000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
155,584
Reported to NHTSA
2007-03-06
Owners notified
2007-03-12

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Safety risk

OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE, BURN, OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

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)

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel1817,700 mi
Fuel system, diesel1682,217 mi
Engine and engine cooling1338,942 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1361,800 mi
Tires982,000 mi
Electrical system860,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission521,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt519,402 mi
Vehicle speed control515,200 mi
Electrical system: wiring437,000 mi
Engine4100,300 mi
Wheels495,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system329,900 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors350,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip335,000 mi
Steering3100 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly345,000 mi
Unknown or other356,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system22,700 mi
Exterior lighting2165,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system23,330 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2107,000 mi
Power train256,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission21 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)25,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic252,400 mi
Suspension: front256,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal25,719 mi
Air bags126,508 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1182,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood160,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger125,462 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control110,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)127,671 mi
Equipment: electrical129,900 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline129,900 mi
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system1—
Parking brake1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)15,719 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1120,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other: buckle assembly145,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor13,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder18 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)18 mi
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments127,671 mi
Structure: body: tailgate16,400 mi
Structure: frame and members150,000 mi
Tires: sidewall1381 mi

The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has roughly the same number of 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.