2003 Ford F-150 Engine And Engine Cooling:engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

23Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints

5.5%Of all 421 complaints

#5Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine and engine cooling:engine ranks on this vehicle

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM34 · 8.1%

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING32 · 7.6%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL29 · 6.9%

ENGINE27 · 6.4%

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE23 · 5.5%

Share of the 421 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2003 Ford F-150 overview page.

What owners report

“HOLLOW KNOCKING NOISE IN THE 5.4 ENGINE MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN COLD. FORD AND THE DEALER TELL ME TO PUT UP WITH IT BECAUSE IT IS…”NHTSA complaint 10045715 — filed 11/07/2003

“I HAVE MANY PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 FORD F150 FROM ENGINE NOISES TO TRANSMISSION LEAKING AND SLIPPING. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN TWICE NOW AND…”NHTSA complaint 10037154 — filed 09/03/2003

“I HAVE A 2003 SUPERCHARGED HARLEY TRUCK,THE CONCERN IS THAT ALL EIGHT SPARK PLUGS WERE DARK RED IN COLOR AND VEHICLE WAS MISSING HORRIBLY UNDER…”NHTSA complaint 10030776 — filed 08/04/2003

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Ford F-150 have engine and engine cooling:engine problems?

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2003 Ford F-150: 23 of 421 complaints on file (5.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2003 Ford F-150 have in total?

421 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 43 involved a crash, 36 involved a fire, 36 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine and engine cooling:engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

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.