2003 Ford F-150 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 46about this part
- Share
- 11%of 423 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 114,195miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 46 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Ford F-150, 11% of the 423 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 114,195 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I drove the truck about 90 miles sunday july 29. Parked the truck in front of my home went inside and about 10 minutes later heard an explosion. Went out front and found my truck engine compartment fully engulfed in flames. Fire was so hot it melted engineer parts and the hood. I had checked the oil, coolant and trans prior to making the trip. There were no leaks of any type. Have never had any issues with fule or oil leaks.”
NHTSA complaint #11115093, filed 2018-08, 180,000 miles“In march of 2014, my fuel tank straps broke due to excessive corrosion and my fuel tank fell to the road while I was driving. I paid to have it repaired that same month but I recently learned that this problem was in a Ford recall, campaign number 11s21. I took the bill to a local Ford dealership, per the Ford recall instructions, but they denied my claim because I no longer own the vehicle; it was totaled in 2015”
NHTSA complaint #11015784, filed 2017-08, 90,000 miles“While driving my truck with my wife & son, we heard a loud pop, like a gun shot, then my truck started to run real rough, I found a coil, & a spark plug had been blown out of the engine, because of the fuel build up & the spark from the truck still running we are lucky that the truck did not catch fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10730766, filed 2015-06, 222,050 miles“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“I looked under my 2003 Ford f150 and saw something hanging down. It turns out that one of my gas tank straps broke. I see by looking on the internet that this is a common problem . I have ordered a new set from advanced auto parts and I should have them on tomorrow.”
NHTSA complaint #10416409, filed 2011-07, 114,195 milesRelated recalls
- 11V385000Jul 29, 2011Ford 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…Covers: Ford F-150 1997–2004, F-250 1997–1999, Lincoln Blackwood 2002–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10205038Apr 21, 2016Safety recall 11S21 - Fuel tank strap fracture - requests for recall service action
- 10183774Apr 21, 2016For 1997-2003 F-150, 2004 F-150 Heritage, 1997-1999 F-250 Light Duty, or 2002-2003 Blackwood vehicles Safety Recall 11S21 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high…
- 10058101Sep 9, 2014Ford/lincoln: safety recall regarding high corrosion areas for operating, for an extended time, vehicles where both or one strap of fuel tank can fracture, after contacting…
- 10056624Aug 11, 2014Ford/lincoln: safety recall issued due to one or both fuel tank straps fracturing due to being in high corrosion areas for an extended period and dislodging fuel tank. Model…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2024 | 6 | 3% |
| 2023 | 10 | 2% |
| 2022 | 91 | 15% |
| 2021 | 93 | 9% |
| 2020 | 14 | 2% |
| 2019 | 24 | 2% |
| 2018 | 64 | 3% |
| 2017 | 28 | 2% |
| 2016 | 95 | 5% |
| 2015 | 81 | 5% |
| 2014 | 72 | 5% |
| 2013 | 159 | 5% |
| 2012 | 119 | 7% |
| 2011 | 117 | 5% |
| 2010 | 58 | 7% |
| 2009 | 22 | 7% |
| 2008 | 27 | 7% |
| 2007 | 54 | 11% |
| 2006 | 59 | 10% |
| 2005 | 82 | 7% |
| 2004 | 74 | 4% |
| 2003 | 46 | 11% |
| 2002 | 86 | 10% |
| 2001 | 132 | 11% |
| 2000 | 152 | 14% |
| 1999 | 132 | 13% |
| 1998 | 201 | 15% |
| 1997 | 246 | 9% |
| 1996 | 53 | 16% |
| 1995 | 65 | 10% |
| 1994 | 113 | 17% |
| 1993 | 288 | 49% |
| 1992 | 245 | 52% |
| 1991 | 154 | 51% |
| 1990 | 146 | 53% |
| 1989 | 95 | 42% |
| 1988 | 28 | 20% |
| 1987 | 23 | 25% |
| 1986 | 10 | 16% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
| 1984 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford F-150
69 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
62 complaintsElectrical system
47 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 30, 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