Most common 2003 Ford F-450 SD problems
Share of the 16 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford F-450 SD complaints by model year
Best F-450 SD years: 2018, 2020, 2014. Years to avoid: 2022, 2021, 2008, 1999, 2000. Compare all years →
2003 Ford F-450 SD recalls (5)
Exterior lighting › Brake lights
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 ranger trucks built from January 25, 2011, through April 25, 2011 at the twin cities assembly plant, and service parts distributed to dealers for certain 2004 through 2011 model year ranger trucks, 2002 through 2005 model year excursion vehicles, and 2002 through 2007 model year f-250,…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the switches free of charge. The safety recall began on August 15, 2011. Owners May contact Ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Vehicle speed control
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 Mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair…
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 7.3l diesel engines, the camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle May function intermittently, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sensor and replace it with an improved camshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on December 29, 2007. Owners May contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
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)
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with 6.0l diesel engines, the engine ground stud that attaches the negative battery terminal eyelet to the engine block May be loose.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine ground stud and the radio suppression strap and adjacent components will be inspected for damage and replaced, if necessary. The recall began on July 23, 2004.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2003 Ford F-450 SD:
Engine stalling
In a December 3, 2007 letter, Ford advised NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall to replace the cam position sensor (cps) in approximately 1.2 million subject vehicles to address reports of engine stalling.a new design cps with improved performance and durability will be installed as a remedy.owner notifications will begin in December 2007.
Engine stalling
In a June 7, 2005 letter, Ford notified odi that it would be conducting a safety recall of approximately 180,000 Ford f-super duty, excursion and e-series vehicles equipped with 6.0l diesel engines to correct two wiring related conditions that could result in engine stall (NHTSA recall no. 05v-270, Ford no.
Accelerator pedal sensor (etc)
Failure counts from odi?s analysis are stated above; see the additional problem experience discussion in the summary report.Ford data contained duplicative reports for 4 odi complaints and 1 crash.three crashes were allegedly due to intermittent operation of the electronic throttle control (etc) pedal, one crash occurred when an etc disabled vehicle was struck by another motorist, one report contained no detail.the…
What 2003 Ford F-450 SD owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
The coating on the interior of Ford diesel fuel tanks corrodes and collects as sediment in the fuel system. The sediment, collects at the botton of the fuel tank and is sucked into the fuel system. The fuel lines become fouled, the fuel pumps become clogged and require replacement. As the coating continues to deteriorate, the only recourse it to change the fuel tank, the sensors, and entire fuel delivery system. We have had 3 Ford vehicles f series experience this problem. The average repair is approximately $2180 per vehicle. We are reporting this as it seems to be a defect in all the Ford diesel fuel systems. As the fuel systems become clogged, the vehicles lose power without warning and create a safety issue and driving hazard not only to the vehicle operator but other motorists.
The EGR, ficm, and injectors on this vehicle have caused traffic hazards. We can not pull out without the engine spitting and sputtering. We have replace all of the above, some more than once. Last time in to the Ford dealer they suggested that we use a thinner oil to lubricate the injectors better. This also doesn't work. We have read many people on the internet that have the same problem with their diesel engines so we know it's not just ours. We paid $8,000.00 to repair and nothing is better. Ford refuses to admit there is a problem. Please help those of us that are stuck with these trucks. The dates of incidents have been ongoing.
Engine & cooling
When driving down a hill with lots of turns. The truck stalled (shut off) all of the sudden right before a turn. Luckily was able to keep the truck on the road and restart the truck in neutral. Took truck straight to hansel Ford asked them to tell me what was wrong with the truck. They checked the computer in the truck, and said they could not find anything and didn't know what to tell me.
Events leading to failure: truck was purchased on 12-19-03 1.) on 1-19-04 truck had no power, dealer found 2,3 injector shorted, dealer replaced injectors and checked bore in cyl head per hotline. 2.)1-21-04 engine was missing in fire. Dealer replaced both injectors per hotline. O-rings blown apart and injector wont seat, hotline suggest looking at bore and found burr in bore not allowing injector to seat . 3.) 2-23-04 engine locked up on hwy, fuel coming out of exhaust. Dealer found excessive fuel in cylinders and turbo, dealer removed engine and disassembled. No. 3 injector damaged and copper washer in pieces o-ring blown apart. Dealer checked deck height, removed rods and pistons to check for being bent, dealer replaced no. 3 piston and rod and turbo bearings, washed out and tested. 4.)10-26-04 steering feels funny when driving down hwy. …
Wheels & tires
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford f450 super duty. The vehicle has double coin radial tires, size 225/70/19.5 (na). This complaint is related to odi number 10239016 regarding the other five defective tires. The tires were serviced by an independent tire mechanic and tread separation was discovered in six tires. There was one tire with a different dot number. The tires were replaced on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 95,773 and current mileage was 96,343. Updated 10/16/08. Updated 10/20/08.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford f450 super duty. The vehicle has double coin radial tires, size 225/70/19.5 (na). The tires were serviced by an independent tire mechanic and tread separation was discovered in six tires. There were five tires with the same dot number. The tires were replaced on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 95,773 and current mileage was 96,343. Updated 10/16/08. The tires were prorated. Updated 10/17/08.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Ford F-450 SD a good car?
Based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 F-450 SD rates use caution: 3.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the F-450 SD at the same age. It is one of the F-450 SD years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Ford F-450 SD?
The fuel & propulsion system — 6 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (4) and wheels & tires (3).
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford F-450 SD have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2003 Ford F-450 SD, the most recent from July 13, 2011 (brake lights). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford F-450 SD?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2020 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2022, 2021, 2008, 1999 and 2000. See the full Ford F-450 SD years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford F-450 SD problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 55,000 miles; 38% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.