2003 Ford F-150 Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 8%of 423 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,640miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Ford F-150, 8% of the 423 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,640 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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?”
NHTSA complaint #10981410, filed 2017-04, 94,000 miles“I have a 2003 Ford f150, with a 5.4l engine. I found out that my windshield is leaking and seeping water onto my gem/cjb and making it so in rain my windshield wipers shut off, my heater blower to stay on or go on when the key is not in the ignition, and has drained my battery. …”
NHTSA complaint #10327880, filed 2010-04, 162,566 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10703928, filed 2015-04, 70,000 miles“I had no problems with this vehicle until december 2013 when I discovered that I could not open the right side rear door. In november 2014 the same thing happened to the left rear door. I obtained a repair estimate from a local Ford dealer and was informed it would cost $700.00 per door to have the problem fixed. (broken cables inside door) the service manager informed me that he had a 2004 F-150 and the same thing happened to his vehicle. I also spoke to two (2) other persons who had the same problem wit their 2003 F-150's. …”
NHTSA complaint #10666991, filed 2014-12, 87,400 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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10014165Dec 27, 2004Aluminum corrosion - service tip.
- 10013082Oct 1, 2002Running change - door trim panel white puddle lamp discontinued.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% |
| 2025 | 3 | 3% |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% |
| 2023 | 24 | 6% |
| 2022 | 14 | 2% |
| 2021 | 36 | 3% |
| 2020 | 22 | 3% |
| 2019 | 32 | 2% |
| 2018 | 193 | 8% |
| 2017 | 112 | 8% |
| 2016 | 199 | 10% |
| 2015 | 148 | 8% |
| 2014 | 31 | 2% |
| 2013 | 48 | 2% |
| 2012 | 24 | 1% |
| 2011 | 33 | 2% |
| 2010 | 92 | 11% |
| 2009 | 34 | 10% |
| 2008 | 23 | 6% |
| 2007 | 31 | 6% |
| 2006 | 44 | 8% |
| 2005 | 77 | 7% |
| 2004 | 104 | 5% |
| 2003 | 32 | 8% |
| 2002 | 45 | 5% |
| 2001 | 65 | 5% |
| 2000 | 66 | 6% |
| 1999 | 95 | 9% |
| 1998 | 138 | 10% |
| 1997 | 226 | 8% |
| 1996 | 7 | 2% |
| 1995 | 18 | 3% |
| 1994 | 33 | 5% |
| 1993 | 13 | 2% |
| 1992 | 8 | 2% |
| 1991 | 8 | 3% |
| 1990 | 4 | 1% |
| 1989 | 8 | 4% |
| 1988 | 9 | 6% |
| 1987 | 5 | 5% |
| 1986 | 9 | 15% |
| 1985 | 3 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford F-150
69 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
62 complaintsElectrical system
47 complaintsFuel system
46 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