2003 Ford F-150: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 520 complaints
520
Total Complaints
64,266mi
Median Mileage
Electrical System
Top Issue
57
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
24,250
25th Percentile
64,266
Median Mileage
115,883
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Electrical System
34
Engine And Engine Cooling
32
Vehicle Speed Control
29
Engine
27
Engine
23
Air Bags
21
Fuel/Propulsion System
20
Unknown Or Other
18
Fuel System, Gasoline
17
Body
16
Severity Assessment
57
Crashes
44
Fires
54
Injuries
1
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"HAD NOTICED FUEL HAD LEAKED ON GARAGE FLOOR. VEHICLE WAS FILLED EARLIER. BROUGHT DIRECTLY FROM FACTORY, NEW. CHECKED UNDER VEHICLE AND NOTICED A PATCH PLATE WAS WELDED ONTO FUEL TANK. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND MECHANIC REFUSE TO REPAIR LEAKAGE. INDICATED A STONE HAD HIT BOTTOM OF TANK. M..."
"THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE DOESN'T REACH OUT ENOUGH IN ORDER FOR THE CONSUMER TO SEE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PH *TS"
"CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE GAS PEDAL WOULD GET STUCK THE VEHICLE WOULD PICK UP SPEED.CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKE PEDAL ALSO DID NOT SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS"
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Electrical System
34 complaints
25th: 35,925 mi
Median: 80,000 mi
75th: 122,500 mi
Engine And Engine Cooling
32 complaints
25th: 74,395 mi
Median: 94,200 mi
75th: 157,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control
29 complaints
25th: 32,135 mi
Median: 106,500 mi
75th: 150,050 mi
Engine
27 complaints
25th: 110,250 mi
Median: 138,182 mi
75th: 186,250 mi
Engine
23 complaints
25th: 27,000 mi
Median: 93,456 mi
75th: 143,900 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
TX: 49
CA: 42
FL: 38
MI: 27
VA: 25
GA: 23
NY: 22
OH: 18
NC: 17
PA: 16
Who Files Complaints?
32.5%
Original Owners
67.5%
Second+ Owners
Ford F-150 — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 25 | 0 |
| 1991 | 357 | 12 |
| 1992 | 553 | 25 |
| 1993 | 753 | 32 |
| 1994 | 908 | 79 |
| 1995 | 788 | 61 |
| 1996 | 383 | 22 |
| 1997 | 3285 | 205 |
| 1998 | 1624 | 96 |
| 1999 | 1322 | 116 |
| 2000 | 1269 | 102 |
| 2001 | 1451 | 113 |
| 2002 | 963 | 63 |
| 2004 | 2429 | 99 |
| 2005 | 1363 | 66 |
| 2006 | 735 | 72 |
| 2007 | 623 | 51 |
| 2008 | 455 | 48 |
| 2009 | 397 | 34 |
| 2010 | 1131 | 33 |
| 2011 | 2938 | 70 |
| 2012 | 2422 | 57 |
| 2013 | 3849 | 102 |
| 2014 | 1859 | 56 |
| 2015 | 2036 | 64 |
| 2016 | 2373 | 67 |
| 2017 | 1595 | 47 |
| 2018 | 2627 | 104 |
| 2019 | 1532 | 30 |
| 2020 | 797 | 30 |
| 2021 | 1138 | 19 |
| 2022 | 702 | 29 |
| 2023 | 494 | 25 |
| 2024 | 195 | 25 |
| 2025 | 112 | 7 |
Active Recalls (11)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Mounting
Campaign 11V385000 | 29/07/2011
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.
FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS REPLACED WITH STRAPS THAT HAVE INCREASED CORROSION PROTECTION. EARLY IN THIS CAMPAIGN, IF REPLACEMENT STRAPS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, DEALERS MAY INSTALL A CABLE SUPPORT UNDER THE STR
Headlights
Campaign 08E050000 | 11/08/2008
WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Fuel System, Gasoline
Campaign 06E056000 | 13/06/2006
FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
Headlights
Campaign 06E067000 | 01/08/2006
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 09E012000 | 07/04/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Headlights
Campaign 09E025000 | 11/05/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Electrical
Campaign 07E066000 | 28/08/2007
IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.
ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
Vehicle Speed Control
Campaign 07V336000 | 03/08/2007
THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER
Headlights
Campaign 06E052000 | 12/06/2006
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABRY LEE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER FULL CREDIT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLAMP. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JUNE 14, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABRY LEE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT 1-866-467-2279.
Vehicle Speed Control
Campaign 07V078000 | 06/03/2007
OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE, BURN, OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
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)
Shaft Pitman
Campaign 03V349000 | 22/09/2003
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. IF THE WARNING IS NOT HEE
DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE PITMAN ARM RETAINING NUT TO SPECIFICATIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 1, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Maintain Your Electrical System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Clean battery terminals annually with baking soda and water
- Replace the battery every 3-5 years before it leaves you stranded
- Don't leave accessories running with the engine off
- Check for corroded ground connections if you have intermittent electrical issues
- Replace dim headlights promptly — they're a safety issue and a wiring symptom
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28