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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,776 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Ford F-150 body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2003 Ford F-150 Owner Comments

problem #16

Feb 202023

F-150

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On the day of Monday February 20 2023 I was in my front driveway preforming some maintenance on my 2003 Ford F-150 Xlt SuperCrew truck a gear shift cable and a heater core replacement. Once I finished the repairs I ran my truck for a few minutes then shut it off and was headed inside when I noticed a flickering light coming from the passenger side of the vehicle I walked to the truck and opened the door and I saw small flames dripping down coming from the ( glove box area ) I then grabbed the water hose and put it out. Once the small fire was out I proceeded to go in the house when I noticed black smoke coming ( from the engine bay from the vents in front of the windshield) the smoke got thicker as I sprayed it with water I then called to my spouse to call the local Fire Department. The vehicle was a total loss nothing was left interior wise no ( steering wheel, no console, no dashboard or anything.

- Selma , NC, USA

problem #15

Nov 272022

F-150

  • miles
On 11/27/2022 at or around 4:30 P.M. my 2003 Ford F-150 burned almost completely, without any mechanical failures or warnings, thirty full minutes after being parked and then after only having been run for three to four miles. The fire department ended up putting it out before it was fully consumed.

- Homestead, FL, USA

problem #14

Apr 292017

F-150

  • 94,000 miles
Both rear door latches have failed to operate. Cannot open either rear door. This happened in the parking lot where I live. I am handy caped and cannot get access to my rolater which in the back seat area. I need this equipment to help me walk. Has there been other reports of this malfunction" is this a recall item? will Ford mfg repair this defect"

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #13

Nov 072016

F-150

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Trans went out a month after intake crack had to be replace almost $1,650 together also ball joints and tierod ends no good shock no good brake are falling and rear end is grinding this truck should have never been sold help and there's "more".

- Northlittlerock, AR, USA

problem #12

Oct 012010

F-150

  • 97,130 miles
2003 F150 paint on the hood is showing aluminum rust oxidation. Requiring a new hood.

- Canonsburg, PA, USA

problem #11

Jul 302016

F-150

  • 200,000 miles
I was traveling 285-West in Decatur, ga., around 3:30 pm eastern time, when I was in a a multi-car accident. I was in the lane closest to the grass, when a Dodge Ram four door truck hit my F-150 super crew cab 2003. The driver hit my driver side backdoor, and then he hit me again on the driver side front bumper, and spun me off the road into a wooded area with large trees and a ravine. I then had a head on collision with a large tree. I called on the name jesus three times, then my truck turned 180 degrees and that turned me around going into the ravine backwards. I felt myself come out of my seat with my seat belt on. My bench seat went into recline, then my head went backwards, then forward. My airbag did not deploy. I did research, when I noticed a website called "wekeepitsafe". the database shows 144,000 Ford F-150 2003's recalled for failure of airbag deployment due to a malfunction in the steering wheel column. I called Ford's motor head quarters. The first number was (313)323-9100, then I was transferred to 1-866-436-7332. I spoke with a rep by the name of mel, and he gave me a choice of monetary compensation or a truck. I declined, due to the fact that I was heavily medicated with hydrocodone for head, neck, and shoulder pain. I suffer from excruciating head aches, stabbing pain in my ear, and numbness/tingling/and pain in my back and legs. I have scheduled an appointment with an orthopaedic specialist, because my primary care physician is unable to assist. My case number is: #cas10200415. I am fond of Ford pickup super crew cabs. I have a picture showing the airbag.and the picture proves that the airbag light indicator shows that it is working, if you look on the right side lower corner other picture by the gear shift. I spoke with mel at 11:24 am eastern time.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #10

Jun 222016

F-150

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle caught on fire while parked in driveway. Had not been run in over a week. Completely burned up and caused damaged home. Vehicle burned had several explosions and burned at a high temp until it was extinguished by fire fighters.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #9

Sep 222015

F-150

  • 79,280 miles
Purchased vehicle IN7/2003. Rear small door (so called "suicide door") on passenger side broke in 11/2012. Would not open or close from inside or outside. Had two latches replaced at walker Ford in clearwater, fl also in 11/2012 at a cost of $615.59. Same door broke again in 9/2015. Took truck back to walker Ford. They offered to repair it again for about $500 and stated the latches they replaced in 11/2012 had "deteriorated from non-use"!. I declined the repair offer as it is clear to me that the latches are inadequate and/or of defected manufacture. It is my position that these rear door latch problems are a huge safety issue if there is a situation of water immersion, fire, smoke, fumes, etc. In such an event, any rear seat passenger would be trapped. I am asking you to consider an immediate recall to replace these latches.

- Largo, FL, USA

problem #8

Nov 222014

F-150 8-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
2003 Ford F-150 lariat supercab it was raining, I got in the truck, water was dripping inside through the center area in the ceiling where the compass is. There are wires up there, so water is not good. I climbed up and looked at the roof outside, and discovered rust on every one of the channels on the roof, one completely rusted through and the rest partially rusted through. Aside from the negative effect on the appearance, this is a problem because: 1. water dripping into the wiring could cause a short which could lead to a fire 2. rust-through on the roof could cause the metal to break off at highway speeds and injure someone 3. decreased structural integrity of the roof could decrease safety in the event of a rollover 4. rust in the area attaching the windshield could cause the windshield to fail or fly off 5. water leaking into the roof caused mold, which is a breathing hazard the problem was caused by the defective design - the channels collected water with no way for it to drain, so the water pooled and caused rust, both in the ends of the channels and along the rim of the windshields. The older models were smooth on top so the problem didn't exist. Newer models have fins sticking up rather than indentations, so Ford clearly realized there was a problem and changed the design. Ford did not respond when I contacted them about this.

- Merritt Island, FL, USA

problem #7

Jan 142015

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
Gas tank straps corroded/broke causing the tank to drop and leak. Excessive rust at bottoms of all four doors.

- Swords Creek, VA, USA

problem #6

Nov 052013

F-150 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Hood paint bubbling as though there is rust. Hood is aluminum! repaint is necessary.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #5

Aug 022013

F-150

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was being inspected when it was found that the rear suspension was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer advised that that the rear leaf spring, shackle and mount were rusted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Bethany, CT, USA

problem #4

May 012012

F-150

  • 61,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150. The contact stated that both rear doors locked and would not open. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The failure and current mileage was 61,000.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #3

Mar 302012

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the rear passenger door could not be opened from the interior or exterior. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer took a complaint and might assist with the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 41,000. Updated 7/12/12 updated 07/18/12

- Davie , FL, USA

problem #2

May 302004

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I purchased a left over 2003 Ford F-150 pickup truck at condit Ford in newton, New Jersey. I picked up the vehicle on Friday evening May 28, 2004 on Sunday morning at 8:00 when I bent down to pick up a piece of paper in my driveway I noticed that the under side of the rear bumper is rusted from several scratches, I walked around the truck and noticed several paint and body defects as follows: Rear bumper has several scratches and rust, tow hook is rusted, the left rear fender has cracked/rippled fiberglass in the section that is near the bumper, the left door has raised paint blemish and dent, the right door on the inside by the door latch is missing paint, the right rear cab door is defective - it bows out on the bottom of the door. When I called the dealership the sales manager stated that I must have caused the damage. I mentioned that who crawls under a new truck to see if the bumper is damaged and rusted and that with an all white truck it is more difficult to immediately detect damages. And that when a consumer buys a new vehicle it is expected that the new vehicle is new and not damaged.

- Milford, PA, USA

problem #1

Dec 192003

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Dateline nbc, Dec. 19th, 2003, reported that the insurance institute for highway safety gave the Ford F150 the lowest rating for the 40 mph off center collision in 2001 injury to front pasengers would be serious to critical. I cannot find any data from NHTSA regarding this crash test. My truck is a Ford F150 super crew 4X4. I am very concerned and wish to obtain further information regarding this test.

- Hastings, NE, USA

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