Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
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).
Well the passenger side in front seat seat belt needs replaced due to getting stuck after front airbags in dash and steering wheel after deployment from barley tapping a vehicle in front of the truck
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Ford f150. While driving 55 MPH the vehicle slid on black ice causing the vehicle to collide with the guard rail several times. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated prior to the collision. The airbags did not deploy in the vehicle. The contact stated that he suffered whiplash and bruised muscles that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact stated he was able to drive the vehicle to his place of employment however, the he drive slowly as the vehicle was shaking. The vehicle was towed 2 days later by the insurance company and deemed a total loss. The contact was unaware of the air bags failure was diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was available. The failure mileage was 116,807.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Ford f-150. While driving approximately 70 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the head, neck, shoulder, both legs, and lower back that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a towing lot. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. Updated 09/08/16
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.
On November 01,2020 I was involved in a vehicle rollover in my Ford f150 2003 which the airbags did not deploy. Airbag light was on and seatbelt locked I was entertaining intersection and almost through it when another vehicle ran the stop light causing me to rollover one in half times. Airbag did not deploy and seat almost detached from cab.
I was traveling 285-west in decatur, ga., around 3:30 pm eastern time, when I was in a a multi-car accident. I was in the lane closest to the grass, when a Dodge Ram four door truck hit my f-150 super crew cab 2003. The driver hit my driver side backdoor, and then he hit me again on the driver side front bumper, and spun me off the road into a wooded area with large trees and a ravine. I then had a head on collision with a large tree. I called on the name jesus three times, then my truck turned 180 degrees and that turned me around going into the ravine backwards. I felt myself come out of my seat with my seat belt on. My bench seat went into recline, then my head went backwards, then forward. My airbag did not deploy. I did research, when I noticed a website called "wekeepitsafe". …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford f-150. While driving 55 MPH with the cruise control activated, the contact was involved in a crash. The air bags failed to deploy. Ford agreed to test his air bags to determine if they were defective. The contacts wife sustained muscle trauma and bruising to her back, neck, sternum, and legs from the seat belts and impact of the crash. She also suffered hemorrhaging striking her legs below the instrument panel. The vehicle was destroyed. The doors and the entire front end of the vehicle were damaged and the engine was knocked completely off the motor mount. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 80,000. The consumer provided multiple pictures of the vehicle. The consumer stated the manufacturer is investigation why the air bags did not deploy and test them at their own expense. …
My son was driving down the main street in our town going the speed limit, crossed over the railroad crossing and both airbags deployed even though there had been no collision or impact other than the small bump of the railroad crossing. Thankfully, it did not cause him to lose control of the vehicle. The impact of the airbag did slightly injure his wrist, he did not seek medical treatment. The horn blew continuously until he unhooked it. However the truck was fully drivable immediately, so he called us asking what to do and we had him drive it home. There was no wreck or any kind of impact that should have made the airbags deploy. The truck is in the same working order that it was previously except for both front airbags are deployed. The airbags have never been tampered with that we are aware of. We are not the original owners of the truck, however. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f-150. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the air bags inadvertently deployed and the horn began to continuously sound. The driver and passenger side air bags deployed and then the driver side air bag ignited into flames. The contact ejected the battery to stop the horn from sounding. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The dealer was shown pictures of the failure and they stated that the air bag should not have ignited into flames. The flames burned the wires that applied to the horn, which is what caused the horn to continuously sound. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Mailed out 01/13/15 updated 02/02/15 updated 9/7/2017
Airbag complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2003 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Ford F-150, 7% of the model year's 423 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford F-150 airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2003 Ford F-150, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford F-150 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 22 crashes, 2 fires and 24 injuries to air bags 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.