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Air bagsPart report

2003 Ford F-150 Air bags Problems

Complaints
29about this part
Share
7%of 423 total for the year
Median mileage
90,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Ford F-150, 7% of the 423 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 22 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“On november 01,2020 I was involved in a vehicle rollover in my Ford f150 2003 which the airbags did not deploy. Airbag light was on and seatbelt locked I was entertaining intersection and almost through it when another vehicle ran the stop light causing me to rollover one in half times. Airbag did not deploy and seat almost detached from cab.”

NHTSA complaint #11372877, filed 2020-11, 145,800 miles

“Pulling into a parking space in front of a medical clinic, going maybe 5 -8 MPH and I had the brake depressed and suddenly the vehicle lunged forward at full throttle and hit a building--you can see the skid mark in the first picture. I ended up hitting a building and when it got stopped the tires just kept spinning until I shut it off. The air bags did not deploy, myself and my grandchildren were hurt. Major building damage as well. Mileage at time this happened 140,000”

NHTSA complaint #10863668, filed 2016-05, 143,000 miles

“My son was driving down the main street in our town going the speed limit, crossed over the railroad crossing and both airbags deployed even though there had been no collision or impact other than the small bump of the railroad crossing. Thankfully, it did not cause him to lose control of the vehicle. The impact of the airbag did slightly injure his wrist, he did not seek medical treatment. The horn blew continuously until he unhooked it. However the truck was fully drivable immediately, so he called us asking what to do and we had him drive it home. …”

NHTSA complaint #11187422, filed 2019-03, 253,000 miles

“Traveling at 40mph. Hit at the front right fender. Shearing off tire at ball joints... Causing truck to slam down on the ground and slide at least 75 feet on the frame.. No air bag deployed. I was injured and think if the airbag would have come out maybe my injuries wouldn't have occurred.”

NHTSA complaint #10240722, filed 2008-09, 87,000 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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10893205, filed 2016-08, 200,000 miles

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202511%
202442%
202310%
202241%
202150%
2020101%
2019242%
2018382%
2017232%
2016362%
2015352%
2014312%
2013391%
2012372%
2011141%
2010192%
2009124%
2008298%
2007276%
2006488%
20051019%
2004854%
2003297%
2002354%
2001665%
2000696%
1999697%
1998423%
1997994%
1996237%
1995356%
19949414%
199310%
199141%
199010%
198910%

Other parts of the 2003 Ford F-150

Engine cooling
69 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
62 complaints
Electrical system
47 complaints
Fuel system
46 complaints
Body and structure
32 complaints
Vehicle speed control
32 complaints
Brakes
28 complaints
Engine
28 complaints
Tires
21 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaints
Other or unknown
19 complaints
Seat belts
16 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford F-150

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology