Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Ford placed a decal on the rear differential that wraps all the way around the axle. This decal holds water and has caused any area touching the decal to rust excessively. Ford has told me that this will cause they rear differential fail. When this happens it will likely be when I'm driving with my wife and two young kids. The only way to know that this issue exists is to either get under the truck and remove the decal which causes and also covers the damage, or to have the axle give out while driving. This was recently discovered while working on the vehicle. I don't currently have pictures as the vehicle is in for other repairs, but I can get pictures once I get the vehicle back.
UNKNOWN - however there were NO warning lights or any other indication of malfunction or to service the truck. I took the truck to an independent service center & they did a full inspection & I did receive an estimate for repairs.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f-150. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and the engine revved. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to mathews Ford newark (500 hebron rd, newark, oh 43056, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the clutch assembly unit failed and needed replacement. The clutch assembly was replaced, but the failure recurred five times. After each failure, the clutch assembly unit was replaced by the same dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 31,950.
My 2003 Ford f150 supercrewcab fx4 4x4, was in four wheel drive as I proceeded to enter highway 39 from my drive. The vehicle kicked out of four wheel drive with the roads being wet which caused my truck's back tires to spin out. My truck then fishtailed as it threw itself into a ditch. The problem with it popping in and out of four wheel drive is a common problem. It happens every time that I use it. I have not taken it to a dealer yet, but have read several forums online that talk about the same problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f-150. The contact stated that while the key was in the ignition switch, the vehicle failed to shift gear as designed. The contact had to shift the gear from park to neutral and back into park then neutral again for the vehicle to resume normal operation and turn on. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,341.
While driving at 45 MPH, suddenly the right rear axle broke and snapped off. This resulted in the right rear tire flying off followed by the driver losing control of the truck and impacting a ditch . The driver sustained minor bruises. The engineer stated that the axle flew off on impact even though the tire flew off prior to impact.
Vehicle caught on fire while parked in driveway. Had not been run in over a week. Completely burned up and caused damaged home. Vehicle burned had several explosions and burned at a high temp until it was extinguished by fire fighters.
Driving in my back yard, testing new snow tires, speed aprox. 25 MPH, hit 10" deep hole, broke axle, directly behind brake disc, rear wheel on the drivers side, pictures available. Had to replace axle.
2003 Ford f-150 4x4. After only a few hours in 4x4 mode, truck no longer engages into 4x4 mode, creating hazardous condition as people expect this to work and truck is very prone to getting stuck in road or leaving the road without this feature (as all such trucks are relatively very light in the rear). Owners of 4x4 vehicles expect this feature to work as advertised and failure can create serious safety issues. From short investigation - speaking to Ford mechanics and visiting Ford-trucks.com, this is a very common problem. This is a serious safety issue for reasons given above - after personally getting stuck in a public road, and very nearly several times, the truck is no longer used whenever there is any chance of snowy conditions (I am in the north-east). …
I have a 2003 Ford f150 pickup, v6, 5-speed manual transmission. My warranty expired at 36,000 miles and my clutch slave cylinder failed at 37,000 miles. After contacting the dealership and telling them about the problem and asking them if they would cover the part since it had failed prematurely, and they answered "no". I took it to a private shop and had the slave cylinder replaced. The day after I got it back I periodically heard strange noises coming from the transmission. I took it back into the shop that replaced my slave cylinder. Upon observation they found nothing. After driving it for two more days the problem was extremely evident by the noises that were constant whenever I shifted as well as in neutral. I took it to a reputable transmission shop and told the shop that I wanted to be there when the transmission was opened up. …
Transmission complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Ford F-150, 15% of the model year's 423 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford F-150 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.