2003 Ford F-350 problems
Owners have filed 104 complaints about the 2003 Ford F-350 with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 18.3% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of vehicle speed control at 12.5%.
Complaints104
Crashes12
Fires8
Injuries9
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 18.3% · 19
Vehicle speed control 12.5% · 13
Electrical system 10.6% · 11
Engine 6.7% · 7
Tires 6.7% · 7
Steering 5.8% · 6
Service brakes, hydraulic 5.8% · 6
Power train 3.8% · 4
Severity
Of those complaints, 12 describe a crash, 8 describe a fire and 9 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 18 model years of the Ford F-350 in this data, 2003 draws comparatively few complaints; 1999 is the outlier year.
Filings are rising — 15 in the last three years against 8 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 47,000 miles.
In owners' own words
: The contact stated while driving the vehicle stalled and lost power. This occurred at various speeds, and in all incidents the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was later driven to the dealer, who replaced and reprogrammed the turbo-charger. However this did not remedy the problem. On the most recent visit to the dealer the turbo charger was replaced, but the problem still occurred. Updated 05/30/06. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 21,000 miles
The consumer tried to start the vehicle, but it would not start. The consumer waited a couple of hours, went out and the vehicle started. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic and the wiring harness was replaced. Four days later the vehicle would not start again, later on, the consumer was informed that the vehicle was on fire. The vehicle was totaled. *Jb Engine and engine cooling
While warming up the vehicle for more than fifteen minutes an exhaust smell came inside of vehicle, causing consumer to become ill. Driver was concerned that carbon dioxide poison gas was escaping inside of vehicle as well. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for analysis. Dealership mechanic could not duplicate the problem. Engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…