2003 Ford F-550 SD Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jan 10, 2018 · 33 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other F-550 SD years
Far more complaints than other years 5th of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford F-550 SD. That ranks 5th out of 32 F-550 SD model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is fuel system, diesel (15 complaints, 45%), typically at around 60,506 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 5 fires, 1 injury. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2003 Ford F-550 SD problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Fuel System, Diesel15 · ~60,506 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling6 · ~32,178 mi
Engine2 · ~141,546 mi
Equipment2 · ~52,844 mi
Fuel/propulsion System2 · ~141,546 mi
Power Train2 · ~34,072 mi
Suspension2 · ~41,572 mi
Air Bags1 · ~173,000 mi
Electrical System1 · ~58,100 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline1 · ~28,798 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Fuel System, Diesel1545%60,506——
Engine and Engine Cooling618%32,178——
Engine26%141,546——
Equipment26%52,844——
Fuel/propulsion System26%141,546——
Power Train26%34,072——
Suspension26%41,572——
Air Bags13%173,000——
Electrical System13%58,100——
Fuel System, Gasoline13%28,798——
Fuel System, Other13%43,500——
Seat Belts13%173,000——
Tires13%———
Vehicle Speed Control13%———
Wheels13%132,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2009, with 7 complaints
2003: 1200312005: 3200532006: 2200622007: 4200742008: 5200852009: 7200972010: 5201052011: 2201122012: 2201222017: 1201712018: 120181

n = 33 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2003 Ford F-550 SD recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Exterior lighting:brake lights; exterior lighting:tail lightsJul 13, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V352000 · 26,715 vehicles

Problem: 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, f-350, f-450, and f-550 trucks for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the multi-function switch was shipped with a subcomponent (slider) that may experience deformation. A multi-function switch with a deformed slider may malfunction causing the turn signal, tail lights, hazard warning signal flashers and/or brake lights not to activate.

Risk: Non-functioning lights could increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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 controlOct 13, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V399000 · 4,500,000 vehicles

Problem: 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 deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.

Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.

Fix: 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 as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.

Engine and engine cooling:engine:dieselDec 5, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V553000 · 1,176,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of an engine stall, a crash could result without warning.

Fix: 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 controlMar 6, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V078000 · 155,584 vehicles

Problem: On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.

Risk: Overheating could result in smoke, burn, or an underhood fire.

Fix: 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 batteryJul 7, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V327000 · 83,687 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the ground wire is loose, electrical current may flow to the radio suppression strap causing it to heat and potentially melt or ignite adjacent components which could result in a fire.

Fix: 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. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Engine stalling (EA06012) — opened Jun 22, 2006, closed Dec 7, 2007, led to recall 07V553000.
  • Engine stalling (EA05003) — opened Feb 15, 2005, closed Nov 2, 2005, led to recall 05V270000.
  • Accelerator pedal sensor (etc) (EA04006) — opened Feb 23, 2004, closed Feb 10, 2005.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-550 sd. While driving unknown speeds, the engine stalled without warning and the fuel tank disintegrated. The float filter and filter were clogged. The contact called a local dealer (vision ford, 1500 s white sands blvd, alamogordo, nm 88310) and was advised to…

Engine · received Jan 10, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11061627

Watter seperator valve dumped fuel on the turbo causing a fire.

Engine · received Jan 18, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 10946265

I have experienced numerous engine failures, of which i have the receipts, on my f500 ford with the 6.0 diesel engine, at a cost to me of over $7,000. At the time of the failures, the engine was only out of warranty for a short period of time. Because a diesel should last for a relatively long…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Oct 11, 2012 · NHTSA complaint 10481643

Norcold corp. Issued safety recall # 10e-049 on/about october 21, 2010 for refrigerator units in recreational vehicles for a potential "fire" in the cooling unit(s). A certified rv dealer confirmed fire damage to unit owned and operated by complainant . Norcold corp. Has refused to honor safety…

Equipment · received Jun 11, 2012 · NHTSA complaint 10461248

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford f-550. The contact stated that while driving 55-60 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the fuel tank inner lining was de-laminating and being drawn into the fuel system. As a temporary remedy, the contact decided to…

Fuel System, Diesel · received Aug 8, 2011 · NHTSA complaint 10418001

Other Ford F-550 SD years

← 2002 F-550 SD · 2004 F-550 SD →

See all Ford F-550 SD problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford F-550 SD?

Owners most often report fuel system, diesel, engine and engine cooling, engine problems. The top one, fuel system, diesel, accounts for 15 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Ford F-550 SD?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2003 Ford F-550 SD a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other F-550 SD model years, the 2003 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.