Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Ford F-350 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The wires for the camshaft position sensor are failing just like they have in others models of the f series and cause the truck to suddenly die while driving. There was already a recall in place but it doesn't cover this vin and so I would like to request the recall be extended to this trucks vin
I was driving down the road and I heard a loud pop. The engine had a very abrupt loss in power and began shaking as I tried to accelerate. I was on a 2 lane road and had no choice but to try and maintain my speed to prevent causing an accident from being rear ended. After driving several miles to a place I could safely stop, I checked under the hood an a spark plug had been shot from the engine. After reviewing this on the web, there are many complaints like mine where spark plugs were shot out of engines. NHTSA needs to evaluate this as review. Had the engine caught fire I would not have known and I had no where to pull off the road. This is a result of an cylinder head with inadequate threads for spark plugs to thread into and take hold over time the aluminum weakens and this happens. …
Just driving on highway 41 and it just stopped. Engine went dead. Pulled over to side of road and tried starting again and it wouldnt start. Had to get it towed. Its been in shop for 20 days. Needs a new fuel tank because the inner lining is peeling and particles are going through engine! Need help I purchased this truck in 2015 and its been in shop 7 different times.
As I am sure you must be aware of this issue: I purchased used a 2003 Ford -f350. I had many issues and had worked most of them out. There were many issues that were possible I was clearly unaware of. One being of utmost safety to myself and others. My high pressure oil pump located inside the engine of my 2003 Ford f-350 6.0 diesel failed. When that happens the engine stops. The high pressure oil pump provides needed pressure to the injectors in order to have a running engine. Being parked and the hpop failing is one thing however driving 55mph on a 2 lane highway against oncoming traffic on a turn is a very bad situation. I am fortunate that I am still very strong at the age of 54. My hpop failed going 55mph on a long left hand turn. As the engine shuts down by brakes are limited to a small amount of storage and then they fail. The steering however fails immediately. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f350 diesel. The contact stated that the vehicle could not be started in cold weather. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure. The dealer performed a diagnostic which located the failure at the EGR exhaust system valve but the dealer did not replace the EGR valve. The vehicle was then taken to a local mechanic for a second diagnostic which located the failure at the fuel injection control module box and the glow plugs module. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and denied assistance with the repairs due to the age of the vehicle. The failure mileage was 10,000 and the current mileage was 111,000. Updated 03/05/12 the engine glow plug was replaced. Updated 03/08/12
Cracked "y" pipe is leaking diesel exhaust fumes into cab of truck. This occurred previously when the truck was under warranty back in 2004 but now it is not under warranty nor is there a recall. I have brought this up to several dealers in the area but unless it is under warranty they won't cover the repair. However, I feel it is a major safety hazard which I feel should be addressed immediately, as diesel fumes are linked to cancer or could leak to an accident if someone is overcome by the fumes, which could lead to a death. Please look into this hazard and let me know if you have any questions, I would be happy to answer. I do know from talking to mechanics that this does occur often in these trucks.
Consumer stated while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle started smoking and rattling. After pulling over to the shoulder to investigate the problem, the vehicle failed to restart. After taking the vehicle to the dealer, it was found the fuel injector was faulty and the engine failed. There were no indication light on at all. All accounts took place approx. 11:30 p.m. On an extremely busy freeway. As of 08/20/03, Ford had not complied with either replacing the engine or vehicle. Also the consumer stated the coolant was low, and there was steam coming from under the hood.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford f-350. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, a spark plug flew out of the engine compartment and hit the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where a coil and the spark plug were replaced. The failure occurred two additional times after. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000 and the current mileage was approximately 101,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving the vehicle stalled and lost power. This occurred at various speeds, and in all incidents the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was later driven to the dealer, who replaced and reprogrammed the turbo-charger. However this did not remedy the problem. On the most recent visit to the dealer the turbo charger was replaced, but the problem still occurred. Updated 05/30/06.
The consumer tried to start the vehicle, but it would not start. The consumer waited a couple of hours, went out and the vehicle started. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic and the wiring harness was replaced. Four days later the vehicle would not start again, later on, the consumer was informed that the vehicle was on fire. The vehicle was totaled.
NHTSA investigations
Engine stalling
Twenty five of the odi failure reports are duplicative of Ford complaints.twenty odi reports do not contain a VIN (and May or May not be duplicative of Ford reports).the 14 alleged crashes and 2 alleged injuries were all minor.submitted during preliminary evaluation (pe) 04-070, Ford's response to odi's information request (ir) letter contained about 5,000 consumer reports (mors) and 8,700 field reports (cqis).Ford…
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On September 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or…
Engine complaints in other F-350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Ford F-350?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Ford F-350, 29% of the model year's 90 complaints. The component named most often is engine › diesel (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford F-350 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2003 Ford F-350, 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-350 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 25,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.