Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Pulling into a parking space in front of a medical clinic, going maybe 5 -8 MPH and I had the brake depressed and suddenly the vehicle lunged forward at full throttle and hit a building--you can see the skid mark in the first picture. I ended up hitting a building and when it got stopped the tires just kept spinning until I shut it off. The air bags did not deploy, myself and my grandchildren were hurt. Major building damage as well. Mileage at time this happened 140,000
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f-150. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated at 50 MPH and caused the contact to lose control. As a result, the contact crashed the vehicle into a median wall and the air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained head and eye injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 195,000.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire while parked in his garage. The vehicle had been driven approximately 10 hours earlier. The insurance investigator was unable to determine where the fire originated or locate any defective parts that May have caused the failure. The engine compartment was damaged, however, the most extensive damage was on the driver side of the vehicle. Ford was notified and refused to take responsibility for the fire. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 12,000. Updated 3/5/08 the consumer stated all 3 investigators stated the fire was a defect in the truck. Fire dept and insurance report. Updated 03/04/08
September 05, 2017 3:49 pm when approching the cape cod ma bridge, my 20 year old daughters Ford f-150 suddenely accerelated when the cruse control was off. She reached speeds exceding 80mph and the brakes where useless. She had to shift out of drive and shut the engine off whille weaving in and out of traffic to regain control. Had she been in any heaver traffic or on the bridge she and maybe others would have been very severly injured!!! This seems to be a well known issue yet Ford and my local Ford dealer know nothing about it (strange) the recall for this issue just is not for her f-150. When I spoke to both Ford and my local dealer. This is a life and death issue. (cricketts from Ford)
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f150 pickup. The contact stated the vehicle was parked with the engine off when it caught on fire. The contact had parked the vehicle five minutes prior to the failure. The fire department was called to assist and advised that the fire originated from the cruise control mechanism. A fire department report was available. The contact stated that part of the utility building, the carport that the vehicle was parked in, all of its contents and the vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileages were 88,000. Updated 11/15/10. Updated 11/19/10. Updated 11/26/10
Tl*- the contact stated that while backing out of the driveway the 2003 Ford f150 with 15000 failure mileage with his foot on the brake he put the vehicle into drive and it accelerated to 35 MPH and struck a tree. The driver then shut the vehicle off and put it into park. The vehicle was towed to a body shop with extensive damage. The cause of the acceleration has not been determined. Updated 03/30/07.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f-150. The contact stated that according to the fire department the cruise control malfunctioned causing a short and the vehicle was completely burned. No injuries were reported. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who filed a complaint and stated that they would contact him at a later date. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 270,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f-150. When the accelerator pedal was depressed the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal had not seized. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. 06/01/17updated
Vehicle was parked and not in use. Owner returned home while away with his son to find that vehicle fire was extinguished by local fire department. The extent of fire was the front engine area. Vehicle was used night before without any incident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the driver was driving at an unknown speed when the accelerator pedal became stuck in a partially depressed position. The vehicle began to surge forward until shifted into neutral and stopped. The contact examined the vehicle and noticed that the plastic cover used to protect the throttle was jammed, causing the failure. The plastic cover was removed and the failure did not recur. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed. The failure mileage was 78,000. .updated 09/19/11 the consumers son was able to throw the gear shift into neutral and pulled over to the side of the road with the engine still accelerating. He shut the vehicle off. The consumer stated when he arrived on the scene, he started the vehicle again and the engine was still in the accelerated position. …
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch May, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Remedy: 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…
Vehicle speed control
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch May overheat.
Remedy: 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)
Acceleration complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2003 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2003 Ford F-150, 8% of the model year's 423 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford F-150 acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-336 (vehicle speed control, Aug 3, 2007); NHTSA recall 07V-078 (vehicle speed control, Mar 6, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford F-150 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 5 fires and 6 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.