2003 Ford F-150 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 69about this part
- Share
- 16%of 423 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 93,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 69 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Ford F-150, 16% of the 423 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2003, Ford F-150 blew a spark plug for the fourth time yesterday. Each time a different plug. I was heading to church and pop . We were just getting on the on ramp when it happen. Four time now and each time I have to pay to get it fixed. Right now I can't afford to fix it and it's sitting in my yard...”
NHTSA complaint #10631545, filed 2014-09, 160,000 miles“Nothing caused this failure other than factory defect. I problem I have had is the sparkplug blow out of my vehicles cylinders it has happened on 3 separate occasions. Leaving me stranded. Also all 3 times I have had to buy new spark coils and spark plugs, this last time it ruined the treads in the block costing over $800 to repair. I do have the old parts”
NHTSA complaint #10384858, filed 2011-02, 55,000 miles“I own a Ford f150 with a triton v8 engine. One of the spark plugs blew out of the engine on 2/25/10 while I was driving on a highway. I had the truck towed to a local repair shop. After looking at the problem they sent me to a Ford dealer. The dealer has told me it is a $1000 fix and that it was possibly due to the person who replaced the plugs for me.”
NHTSA complaint #10314644, filed 2010-02, 173,000 miles“Strap holding my gas tank on my 2003 Ford 150 rusted thru and broke it was noticed by one of my fellow employees fortunately before the other strap broke. I went to the Ford dealer in my area and had it repaired asking if there was a recall or reported problems with this and they said no. I was charged $195 to repair it.”
NHTSA complaint #10399892, filed 2011-05, 156,000 miles“1. Normal operation, no indication of problem 2. Spark plug blew out of the engine as my wife parked the vehicle in our driveway; 1st of 2 occurrences; repaired with helicoiled plug. Approx $400 repair expense. I'm now told that a bulletin was issued advising not to use this repair method. Having trouble verifying if that is fact or fiction.”
NHTSA complaint #10290177, filed 2009-10, 115,535 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10172885Feb 7, 2020This SKU is an Oil Dipstick. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the dipstick tube. The dipstick tube inner diameter may be small enough…
- 10024865Apr 1, 20081999-2008 7.3l/6.0l/6.4l/4.5l diesel f-super duty - clean the charge air cooler (cac) system after certain turbo or engine failures - service tip.
- 10023943Oct 1, 2007Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this includes…
- 10018745Nov 14, 2005Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10018741Nov 14, 2005Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code p1131 and/or p1151 - 4.2l engine.
- 10018062Oct 7, 2005Coolant degas bottle overflow.
- 10014685Mar 21, 2005Use of stainless steel exhaust studs in service for 5.4l 2v engine.
- 10014666Mar 7, 2005Intermittent rough idle - non-commanded egr (exhaust gas recirculation valve) flow.
- 10011162Aug 23, 2004Engine misfire or running - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - wds cop kit diagnostic tips. To include various 2005 models. * ar this article 04161 supersedes tsb 03-14-04.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 4 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 0% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 19 | 2% |
| 2020 | 11 | 1% |
| 2019 | 62 | 5% |
| 2018 | 88 | 4% |
| 2017 | 70 | 5% |
| 2016 | 30 | 1% |
| 2015 | 25 | 1% |
| 2014 | 10 | 1% |
| 2013 | 20 | 1% |
| 2012 | 17 | 1% |
| 2011 | 33 | 2% |
| 2010 | 31 | 4% |
| 2009 | 10 | 3% |
| 2008 | 22 | 6% |
| 2007 | 41 | 8% |
| 2006 | 77 | 13% |
| 2005 | 111 | 10% |
| 2004 | 167 | 8% |
| 2003 | 69 | 16% |
| 2002 | 196 | 24% |
| 2001 | 234 | 19% |
| 2000 | 135 | 13% |
| 1999 | 219 | 21% |
| 1998 | 174 | 13% |
| 1997 | 529 | 19% |
| 1996 | 23 | 7% |
| 1995 | 71 | 11% |
| 1994 | 52 | 8% |
| 1993 | 52 | 9% |
| 1992 | 37 | 8% |
| 1991 | 17 | 6% |
| 1990 | 21 | 8% |
| 1989 | 13 | 6% |
| 1988 | 11 | 8% |
| 1987 | 9 | 10% |
| 1986 | 9 | 15% |
| 1985 | 4 | 14% |
| 1984 | 2 | 13% |
| 1983 | 3 | 30% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford F-150
62 complaintsElectrical system
47 complaintsFuel system
46 complaintsBody and structure
32 complaintsVehicle speed control
32 complaintsAir bags
29 complaintsBrakes
28 complaintsEngine
28 complaintsTires
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsSeat 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 27, 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