The 2003 Ford F-350 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Tire tread separation and blowout.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2003 Ford F-350.
TIRES
23 NHTSA complaints · 2003-10 → 2019-06
“WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SUSTAINED TREAD SEPARATION”
“WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AMERI-TECH TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING”
“TIRE EXPLOSION AND TREAD SEPARATION BF GOODRICH RUGGED TRAIL T/A TIRE (LT 265/75/16 E)”
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
10 NHTSA complaints · 2006-04 → 2017-10
“DRIVING ALONG LOUD NOISE PULLED OVER TO FIND A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK TAKING THE THREADS WITH IT”
“SPARK PLUG BLEW FROM ENGINE ON 2003 FORD F-350 5.4 TRITON ON MAY 10TH 20010. ON FREEWAY APROX.65MPH. CANNOT RE-INSTALL PLUG DUE TO THREAD DAMAGE”
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A SPARK PLUG FLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND HIT THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE”
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
11 NHTSA complaints · 2003-08 → 2005-10
“WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED HARD TO PASS OR TO ENTER A HIGHWAY VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE”
“WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL YOU GET NO RESPONSE AT ALL UNTIL YOU LET OFF THEN THE TRUCK LUNGES FORWARD USUALLY LEAVING HALFWAY IN A INTERSECTION”
“WHEN THE ACCELERATE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE ACCELERATING. IT WILL JERK INTO GEAR”
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
8 NHTSA complaints · 2004-08 → 2008-01
“TURBO CHARGER IS ON IT'S THIRD FAILURE AND INSTALATION. I ONLY HAVE 11,000 MILES ON THE FORD F-350, THE WASTED TIME ON MY END IS REDICULOUS”
“WHILE DRIVING THE TURBO HOSE TO THE TURBO CHARGER CONTINUOUSLY BLEW OFF. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES”
“OUR COMPANY HAS PURCHASED A 2003 FORD F350 IN JULY 2003 IT HAS 18,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD 3 TURBO'S INSTALLED IS RUNS ROUGH LACKS POWER AND CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS”
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
10 NHTSA complaints · 2003-09 → 2012-04
“WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH A FUEL INJECTOR FAILED LITTERING THE #3 CYLINDER WITH DEBRIS”
“BROUGHT TO DEALER, FUEL INJECTORS WERE BAD. $700.00 BILL LATER, TRUCK LEAVES THE DEALER”
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN THE FUEL INJECTORS. THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE REPLACED 8 TIMES, AND THE EGR VALVE WAS REPLACED TWICE”
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
6 NHTSA complaints · 2008-11 → 2019-11
“FUEL TANK DELAMINATION LEADING TO STALLING AND EVENTUAL REPLACEMENT OF THE TANK AT MY COST”
“DIESEL TANKS ARE DELAMINATING, CAUSING FUEL LINE/FILTER TO CLOG AND VEHICLE NOT TO RUN PROPERLY”
“THE FUEL TANK DELAMINATED AND I WAITED TWO MONTHS FOR ONE BECAUSE THEY WERE IN PRODUCTION AT A COST OF $2000.00 TO BE REPAIRED”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
8 NHTSA complaints · 2004-04 → 2021-09
“WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES”
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR CHECKUP, AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING INSIDE THE ENGINE CAUSING THE PROBLEM”
“THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING FAILED BECAUSE OF THIS”
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
9 NHTSA complaints · 2003-08 → 2010-06
“WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING WHILE IN TRAFFIC VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, CAUSING A COLLISION WITH A TREE”
“UPON LEAVING THE FREEWAY AT 55MPH, I PROCEEDED UP THE EXIT RAMP TO A STOP LIGHT. I BRAKED TO SLOW AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL CREEPING FORWARD AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING”
“THE MOTOR WOULD SURGE WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CAUSING THE TRUCK TO TRAVEL AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (BRAKING WOULD SLOW IT DOWN)”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
On 4x4 models, replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$105–$140
Shop
~$75–$100
DIY
~$15–$40
AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.
F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$150–$195
Shop
~$105–$135
DIY
~$20–$50
Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.
Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
1,662 crashes 1990–2024
How the 1,662 occupant deaths break down
1,260
driver deaths
397
passenger deaths
5
not recorded by seat
1,662
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2002 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
17
complaints mentioning a crash
10
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2003 Ford F-350 reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.