Complaints about the 2003 Ford F-450 SD peaked in 2003, with 3 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Other, diesel, 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Apr 23, 2003 to May 6, 2013.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11V-352 | Jul 13, 2011 | Multi-function switch with a deformed slider may malfunction causing the turn signal, tail lights, hazard warning signal flashers and/or brake… | Lighting | 26,715 | Part replacement |
| 09V-399 | Oct 13, 2009 | Scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn | Speed control | 4,500,000 | Repair or modification |
| 07V-553 | Dec 5, 2007 | On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 7.3l diesel engines, the camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle may function… | Engine and cooling | 1,176,000 | Part replacement |
| 07E-066 | Aug 28, 2007 | Certain cequent 90 degree 7-way right angle adaptors sold by distributors in tow packages for aftermarket sales to tow 5th wheel rv travel trailers | Equipment | 175 | Not stated |
| 07V-078 | Mar 6, 2007 | On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat | Speed control | 155,584 | Repair or modification |
| 04V-327 | Jul 7, 2004 | On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with 6.0l diesel engines, the engine ground stud that attaches the negative battery… | Electrical system | 83,687 | Part replacement |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
16 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE AND LOSE POWER, EVENTUALLY NOT EVEN BEING ABLE TO STAY RUNNING. THE MECHANIC UPON REVIEW FOUND THE TANK LINER HAD DELAMINATED FROM INSIDE FUEL TANK AND HAD PLUGGED UP FUEL SENDER. BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACE AT A COST OF $2800, FORD DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10510740THE EGR, FICM, AND INJECTORS ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE CAUSED TRAFFIC HAZARDS. WE CAN NOT PULL OUT WITHOUT THE ENGINE SPITTING AND SPUTTERING. WE HAVE REPLACE ALL OF THE ABOVE, SOME MORE THAN ONCE. LAST TIME IN TO THE FORD DEALER THEY SUGGESTED THAT WE USE A THINNER OIL TO LUBRICATE THE INJECTORS BETTER. THIS ALSO DOESN'T WORK. WE HAVE READ MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR DIESEL ENGINES SO WE KNOW IT'S NOT JUST OURS. WE PAID $8,000.00 TO REPAIR AND NOTHING IS BETTER. FORD REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP THOSE OF US THAT ARE STUCK WITH THESE TRUCKS. THE DATES OF INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN ONGOING. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10344315TRUCK HAS NO POWER WHEN FIRST STARTING AND THE FRONT END SHIMMIES SOMETHING TERRIBLE. HARD TO CONTROL. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10334371THE COATING ON THE INTERIOR OF FORD DIESEL FUEL TANKS CORRODES AND COLLECTS AS SEDIMENT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE SEDIMENT, COLLECTS AT THE BOTTON OF THE FUEL TANK AND IS SUCKED INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FUEL LINES BECOME FOULED, THE FUEL PUMPS BECOME CLOGGED AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. AS THE COATING CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE, THE ONLY RECOURSE IT TO CHANGE THE FUEL TANK, THE SENSORS, AND ENTIRE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM. WE HAVE HAD 3 FORD VEHICLES F SERIES EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. THE AVERAGE REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $2180 PER VEHICLE. WE ARE REPORTING THIS AS IT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN ALL THE FORD DIESEL FUEL SYSTEMS. AS THE FUEL SYSTEMS BECOME CLOGGED, THE VEHICLES LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING AND CREATE A SAFETY ISSUE AND DRIVING HAZARD NOT ONLY TO THE VEHICLE OPERATOR BUT OTHER MOTORISTS.
NHTSA complaint 10322799WHEN DRIVING DOWN A HILL WITH LOTS OF TURNS. THE TRUCK STALLED (SHUT OFF) ALL OF THE SUDDEN RIGHT BEFORE A TURN. LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE TRUCK ON THE ROAD AND RESTART THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL. TOOK TRUCK STRAIGHT TO HANSEL FORD ASKED THEM TO TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. THEY CHECKED THE COMPUTER IN THE TRUCK, AND SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL ME. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10256119THE LINING OF THE FUEL TANK HAS BEEN FLAKING OFF INTO MY FUEL LINES, WHICH IS RESTRICTING MY FUEL FILTERS. BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF FUEL, 2 FUEL INJECTORS WENT BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AND THE TURBO WAS OVER COMPENSATING FOR THE LACK OF POWER, DUE TO FUEL SHORTAGE, SO THE TURBO HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. NOW THAT WE HAVE FOUND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM, THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP HAS TO BE REPLACED AS TOO. INTO THIS FOR $5000 ALREADY WITHOUT REPLACING THE TANK AND PUMP. NEED SOME HELP. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10256109THE LINING OF THE DIESEL FUEL TANK FLAKED OFF WHICH CLOGGED THE FUEL FILTERS, WHICH RESULTED IN POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10249629TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F450 SUPER DUTY. THE VEHICLE HAS DOUBLE COIN RADIAL TIRES, SIZE 225/70/19.5 (NA). THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO ODI NUMBER 10239016 REGARDING THE OTHER FIVE DEFECTIVE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT TIRE MECHANIC AND TREAD SEPARATION WAS DISCOVERED IN SIX TIRES. THERE WAS ONE TIRE WITH A DIFFERENT DOT NUMBER. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,773 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,343. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/20/08. *JB
NHTSA complaint 10239027TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F450 SUPER DUTY. THE VEHICLE HAS DOUBLE COIN RADIAL TIRES, SIZE 225/70/19.5 (NA). THE TIRES WERE SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT TIRE MECHANIC AND TREAD SEPARATION WAS DISCOVERED IN SIX TIRES. THERE WERE FIVE TIRES WITH THE SAME DOT NUMBER. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,773 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,343. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ THE TIRES WERE PRORATED. UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB
NHTSA complaint 10239016EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE: TRUCK WAS PURCHASED ON 12-19-03 1.) ON 1-19-04 TRUCK HAD NO POWER, DEALER FOUND 2,3 INJECTOR SHORTED, DEALER REPLACED INJECTORS AND CHECKED BORE IN CYL HEAD PER HOTLINE. 2.)1-21-04 ENGINE WAS MISSING IN FIRE. DEALER REPLACED BOTH INJECTORS PER HOTLINE. O-RINGS BLOWN APART AND INJECTOR WONT SEAT, HOTLINE SUGGEST LOOKING AT BORE AND FOUND BURR IN BORE NOT ALLOWING INJECTOR TO SEAT . 3.) 2-23-04 ENGINE LOCKED UP ON HWY, FUEL COMING OUT OF EXHAUST. DEALER FOUND EXCESSIVE FUEL IN CYLINDERS AND TURBO, DEALER REMOVED ENGINE AND DISASSEMBLED. NO. 3 INJECTOR DAMAGED AND COPPER WASHER IN PIECES O-RING BLOWN APART. DEALER CHECKED DECK HEIGHT, REMOVED RODS AND PISTONS TO CHECK FOR BEING BENT, DEALER REPLACED NO. 3 PISTON AND ROD AND TURBO BEARINGS, WASHED OUT AND TESTED. 4.)10-26-04 STEERING FEELS FUNNY WHEN DRIVING DOWN HWY. DEALER INSPECTING STEERING AND STEERING STABILIZER LEAKING FLUID. DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED STABILIZER SHOCK. 5.)2-03-05 STEERING WHEEL BINDS UP WHILE TURNING. DEALER CHECKED AND VERIFIED CONDITION FLOW , PITMAN ARM SEIZED FLUSH SYSTEM METAL IN FLUID. 6.) 7-19-05 ENGINE HARD TO START. WHISTLE NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE WHEN RPMS REV HIGH. DEALER PERFORM COMPLETE ENGINE DIAG. REMOVED TURBO AND REPLACED EBP SENSOR PER SSM AND VERIFIED REPAIR. 7.)11-02-05 ENGINE HARD TO START, MUST PLUG BLOCK HEATER IN TO START. DEALER CHECKED AND CYL. 5 MISSED. DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED NO.5 INJECTOR,TURBO CHARGER. DEALER FOUND OIL CONTAMINATED DUE TO INJECTOR, DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACE 1,3 INJECTOR. 8.) HARD TO START AND DOES NOT HAVE OIL PRESSURE. NEW DEALER REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE OIL PUMP AND TURBO PEDESTAL, REPLACED NO. 3 INJECTOR. *NM
NHTSA complaint 10152286DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES IT IS DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. THE HARDER THE BRAKE IS PRESSED THE HARDER IT IS TO TURN THE WHEEL UNTIL THE STEERING IS LOCKED UP. EVENTUALLY THE STEERING GEAR STARTED LEAKING, LEADING TO REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING GEAR. THIS DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint 10125472WHILE SITTING ON THE SCENE OF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY WITH ENGINE IDLING, THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND THEM WOULD NOT TURN OVER TO START(LOCKED UP)
NHTSA complaint 10122304THE MOTOR WAS LEAKING NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF OIL BETWEEN THE BLOCK WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A NEW REPLACEMENT MOTOR, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
NHTSA complaint 10115622WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, BOTH REAR WHEEL LUGS NUTS CAME OFF THE TIRES, CAUSING THE TIRES TO DETACH FROM VEHICLE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK
NHTSA complaint 10050206PROBLEMS WITH THE ATTACK SETUP. MR THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP IN A SAFE WAY. AND THE PROBLEM ONLY OCCURRED WHEN IT WAS TOWING. SCC. *JB
NHTSA complaint 10018224THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PROPERLY ALIGNED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT. TWO TIRES WERE ALSO RUINED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint 10017409Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.