2003 Ford F-150 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 4%of 423 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,610miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Ford F-150, 4% of the 423 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,610 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“Drove to our cabin in upper wisconsin and the psf tire the middle of it blow out. It had probable a 4 inch cut from when it blue. The tires are less then a year old with 3,600 miles on them. The tires won't cheap but there junk and this will be the last time I buy good year of any type.”
NHTSA complaint #10905179, filed 2016-09, 3,400 miles“Driving down highway and exiting onto my exit, the truck started to run rough and eventually shut off. I had to wait about 1hour for the truck to cool off before it would start again. While waiting for the truck to cool off, I changed the fuel filter. Today, 6/3/15, I can start the truck up and let it run for about a half an hour and shut it off and it will not start back. I wait another half an hour and it will start right up. I can't effort to take it to the shop and pay $50 to $100 for them not to be able to tell me what is wrong or how to fix it.”
NHTSA complaint #10723321, filed 2015-06, 94,000 miles“Took my 2003 f150 xl 4x4 to get a front end alignment the technecian told me he could not do the alignment due to the upper and lower ball joints were bad (worn out) I took me truck to the nearest Ford dealership and was instructed that I voided my warranty when I put on a bigger tire. The original size was a 255/70/16 and I put on 235/85/16 on the original rim. I have 35500 miles on my truck. I feel that this is another way that the dealership and the manufacturer gets away with ripping customers off.”
NHTSA complaint #10114270, filed 2005-03, 35,500 miles“Vehicle lost all power (in dry climate), including steering, and brakes at approximately 50mph. Came to a stop using the emergency brake. Had two near misses while attempting to come to a stop. Vehicle had to be towed as the ECM (engine control module) was no good. Had prior misfires in engine, which Ford had diagnosed as a bad head valve. After rebuilding the heads, the problem continued (while under use in dry climate). Incident occurred, at which point the vehicle had become disabled. …”
NHTSA complaint #10584567, filed 2014-04, 115,000 miles“When driving steering wheel was very loose. Steering gear was separating and was replaced at the dealer. Trying to find out why my vehicle was not covered under recall NHTSA campaign #03v349000.”
NHTSA complaint #10211446, filed 2007-12, 57,719 milesRelated recalls
- 03V349000Sep 22, 2003On certain pickup trucks, the pitman arm to steering gear retaining nut was not fully tightened to the required specification.Covers: Ford F-150 2003
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% |
| 2025 | 3 | 3% |
| 2024 | 4 | 2% |
| 2023 | 17 | 4% |
| 2022 | 10 | 2% |
| 2021 | 43 | 4% |
| 2020 | 10 | 1% |
| 2019 | 22 | 2% |
| 2018 | 83 | 4% |
| 2017 | 59 | 4% |
| 2016 | 64 | 3% |
| 2015 | 84 | 5% |
| 2014 | 160 | 10% |
| 2013 | 216 | 7% |
| 2012 | 204 | 11% |
| 2011 | 419 | 19% |
| 2010 | 48 | 6% |
| 2009 | 29 | 9% |
| 2008 | 53 | 14% |
| 2007 | 29 | 6% |
| 2006 | 55 | 9% |
| 2005 | 34 | 3% |
| 2004 | 75 | 4% |
| 2003 | 15 | 4% |
| 2002 | 25 | 3% |
| 2001 | 33 | 3% |
| 2000 | 68 | 6% |
| 1999 | 50 | 5% |
| 1998 | 96 | 7% |
| 1997 | 202 | 7% |
| 1996 | 20 | 6% |
| 1995 | 25 | 4% |
| 1994 | 20 | 3% |
| 1993 | 9 | 2% |
| 1992 | 5 | 1% |
| 1991 | 7 | 2% |
| 1990 | 7 | 3% |
| 1989 | 8 | 4% |
| 1988 | 3 | 2% |
| 1987 | 2 | 2% |
| 1986 | 3 | 5% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford F-150
69 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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