Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Ford F-250 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I had lt265/75r16 bf goodrich tires on my truck, with only approx. 12,000 miles on them, the truck does not get driven but once a week. Traveling on the interstate when the passenger front tire exploded. I was able to control the truck and get it off the road without hitting anyone. But my truck sustained $3800.00 in damage. I filed claim with Michelin and sent them the tire, they denied the claim that I must have hit something very hard and that caused the tire to split on the inside lining which then caused the blow out. I have never hit anything and I travel the same two roads all the time with both my vehicles so I know I did not hit anything. Secondly these are "rough terrain" tires so even if I did hit something they should have not split. …
Replaced 4 new tires on my Ford f-250 truck 9/20/2013. Yokohama geolandar h/t-s, lt235/85r16. On approximately 5/10/2016, while on freeway,began to feel a vibration while driving. Felt like wheel out of balance. The left rear tire tread came off the tire causing severe damage to the truck bed. Approximately 28,500 miles on the tires. Tire remained inflated. I contacted yokohama to open a case file. I sent them the tire for examination per their request. They sent me the analysis back with a bunch of photos blaming the failure on road debris. Approximately 5 weeks later on 7/2/2016 I experienced the same vibration while on a trip out of town. This time the right rear tire tread came off the tire causing severe damage to the right side truck bed. Approximately 29,000 miles on the second tire. Contacted yokohama to open another case file. …
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 55 MPH the tread completely detached from the two tires on the passenger side. Another tire had a violent tread separation at 55 MPH. Which caused an accident and incurred damages to the wheel alignments, fender, bumper, suspension and other parts underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealership, who replaced all cooper/dominator tires and repair the damages created as a result of the failure tires.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f-250 equipped with federal couragia a/t tires, size 285/75/r16 (na). The contact stated that the tires were wearing out faster than normal. The dealer was not contacted. The tire manufacturer was notified, but did not return the contact's call. The VIN and dot number were unknown. The vehicle failure mileage was 158,000 and the tire failure mileage was 6,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f-250 equipped with yokohama geolander tires, size: lt285/7516 (na). The contact stated that the tread was disintegrating completely. The vehicle could not be driven. The tires were not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dot number was not available. The vehicle failure mileage was 148,000 and the tire failure mileage was 15,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f-250 equipped with cooper discoverer atr (lt265/75/r16 dot3dw8) tires. While driving approximately 50 MPH the contact noticed the steering wheel was feeling awkward. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder of the road and noticed the tread separation on the front driver and passenger side tires. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop where the technicians stated the tire needed to be replaced due to tread separation. The front driver and passenger side tires were replaced. The tread on the rear driver and passengers side tires also separated causing damage to the wheel well and fender. The rear tires were not replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 8/29/11 the consumer stated the other three tires were inspected and found to be OK. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford 250 with general grabber at2 tires; size 235/85/16. While driving approximately 65 MPH the vehicle began to drift across the roadway. He then driver reduced the vehicles speed to 50 MPH. After two new tires were mounted on the vehicle the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The tires at this time have not been determined as the cause of failure. The steering assembly was repaired, but the failure continued. The failure mileage was 131,681. The current mileage was 132,000. Updated 12/08/09. Updated 12/10/09
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f-250 equipped with definity tires a/t 33 12.5r 16.5. The contact was traveling 65 MPH when the front passenger side tire blew out. The failure caused the front passenger to receive injuries to his lower back. The vehicle was towed a repair shop. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was repaired and the VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 144,000. ....updated 08-24-12 the consumer stated the first incident happened in April 2011. In both cases, the tread peeled away from the tire. Updated 08/29/12
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f-250 equipped with bf goodrich all terrain ko-ii tires, size: 265/75/16. While driving various speeds, the vehicle vibrated and shook. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the front passenger and driver side tires experienced tread separation. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer (discount tire, 11881 magnoliam ave, riverside, ca) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The dot number, VIN, and failure mileage were unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f-250 equipped with bf goodrich all terrain ko tires, size: 265/75/16. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the rear driver's side tire experienced a blow out. The tire was returned to the manufacturer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The local dealer (discount tire, 11881 magnoliam ave, riverside, ca) was notified of the failure. The VIN, dot number, and failure mileage were unknown.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other F-250 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2003 Ford F-250?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2003 Ford F-250, 19% of the model year's 116 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford F-250 wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 2003 Ford F-250, though it has 2 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-250 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to wheels & tires 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.