Model year
2003 Ford F150
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 423 complaints for the 2003 Ford F150 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (35), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (32), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (29). NHTSA lists 3 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 12–16 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,550–$6,300, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 1,075 complaints
- 2001 1,236 complaints
- 2002 821 complaints
- 2003 423 complaints
- 2004 2,029 complaints
- 2005 1,112 complaints
- 2006 585 complaints
- 2007 488 complaints
- 2008 369 complaints
- 2009 324 complaints
- 2010 843 complaints
- 2011 2,193 complaints
- 2012 1,784 complaints
- 2013 2,991 complaints
- 2014 1,538 complaints
- 2015 1,737 complaints
- 2016 2,082 complaints
- 2017 1,460 complaints
- 2018 2,324 complaints
- 2019 1,340 complaints
- 2020 738 complaints
- 2021 1,033 complaints
- 2022 598 complaints
- 2023 415 complaints
- 2024 194 complaints
- 2025 109 complaints
- 2026 12 complaints
Recalls
11V385000 · Jul 29, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995,…
07V336000 · Aug 3, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
07V078000 · Mar 6, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
03V349000 · Sep 22, 2003
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE PITMAN ARM TO STEERING GEAR RETAINING NUT WAS NOT FULLY TIGHTENED TO THE REQUIRED SPECIFICATION.
Complaints
423 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 43, fire flag on 37, injury field 36, deaths field 1. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP05005 | SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | Sep 22, 2005 | Jan 4, 2006 |
| PE08063 | CNG REGULATOR LEAK · FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER; FUEL… | Oct 31, 2008 | Feb 27, 2009 |
| EA11006 | Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING; FUEL SYSTEM,… | May 4, 2011 | Aug 19, 2011 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F150 Pickup 2WD · 4.2L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD · 4.2L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD · 4.6L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD · 4.6L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 18 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD · 5.4L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 17 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD · 5.4L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 11 | 15 | 13 | — | — | $6,300 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD · 4.2L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 17 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD · 4.2L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 18 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD · 4.6L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 17 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD · 4.6L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD · 5.4L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 12 | 16 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| F150 CNG · 5.4L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Natural Gas · CNG | 11 | 15 | 13 | — | — | $3,550 |
4 more configurations are in the EPA file and are not listed in this table. The fuel-cost calculator lists every configuration.
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Ford F150 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.