Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Typical complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — is about in line with the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
421Complaints
11Recalls
43Crashes
36Fires
36Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (8.1% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Electrical System
34 · 8.1%
not available
—
Engine And Engine Cooling
32 · 7.6%
not available
—
Vehicle Speed Control
29 · 6.9%
Recalled
Recall 07V336000 · Recall 07V078000
Engine
27 · 6.4%
not available
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
23 · 5.5%
not available
—
Air Bags
21 · 5%
not available
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 421 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY FAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL LINES TO SEPARATE FROM THE TANK, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSING THE TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND. EITHER SCENARIO MAY RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF THE PITMAN ARM TO GEARBOX ATTACHMENT NUT LOOSENS, A NOISE AND A LOOSE FEEL IN THE STEERING COULD OCCUR. IF THE CONDITION PROGRESSED AND SERVICE WAS NOT SOUGHT, THE NUT COULD BACK OFF COMPLETELY AND THE PITMAN ARM COULD SEPARATE FROM THE GEAR CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“DT: THE CONTACT STATED WINDSHIELD LEAKED. AS A RESULT OF THE LEAK THE VEHICLE SUFFERED ELECTRICAL DAMAGE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN HE TOOK THE…”NHTSA complaint 10141632 — filed 11/03/2005 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“ON 2/11/05, MY 2003 FORD F150 CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER IT WAS PARKED MY JOB-SITE FOR TWO HOURS, AND THE FIRE ALSO DESTROIED A SIENNA…”NHTSA complaint 10113966 — filed 03/12/2005 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE ON IT'S OWN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE…”NHTSA complaint 10111405 — filed 02/11/2005 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford F-150?
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 34 of 421 NHTSA complaints (8.1%), followed by engine and engine cooling (32), vehicle speed control (29), engine (27). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2003 Ford F-150 have?
421 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 43 involved a crash, 36 involved a fire, and 36 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 2003 Ford F-150 have any recalls?
Yes — 11 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 11V385000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2003 Ford F-150's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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