2003 Ford F-150 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 62about this part
- Share
- 15%of 423 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 62 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Ford F-150, 15% of the 423 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving in a snowstorm the shifting fork on the front differential broke disengaging the 4 wheel drive which caused me to loose control. I have found out today that this has happened to several people I know and that Ford has redesigned this shifting fork. I believe this should be a recall. If anyone had been next to me when the fork broke there would have been an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10252682, filed 2008-12, 43,000 miles“Having a problem with transmission slipping or not changing gear correctly. Plus a noise or vibration grinding. During this time as well. Very upset. I have taken the vehicle to the Ford dealership but they cannot duplicate the problem while there. Ford said they will not fix until duplicated. I am very upset have taken to dealer four times.”
NHTSA complaint #10049114, filed 2003-12, 9,000 miles“We own several Ford F-150 trucks. In the last 3 months we had four separate problems with the rear axles. One truck the axle broke and the wheel came completely off. Another truck the axle was destroyed and had to be replaced. The last truck is brand new with less than 2000 miles and experienced the same problem yesterday.”
NHTSA complaint #10011046, filed 2003-03, 2,000 miles“I have many problems with my 2003 Ford f150 from engine noises to transmission leaking and slipping. My vehicle has been in twice now and nobody at fords or their engineers seem to know what is wrong. Fords does not know what to do. I would greatly appreciate if someone could look into this matter because no one should have this many problems with a brand new $30,000 vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10037154, filed 2003-09, 3,000 miles“My 2003 Ford f150 supercrewcab fx4 4x4, was in four wheel drive as I proceeded to enter highway 39 from my drive. The vehicle kicked out of four wheel drive with the roads being wet which caused my truck's back tires to spin out. My truck then fishtailed as it threw itself into a ditch. The problem with it popping in and out of four wheel drive is a common problem. It happens every time that I use it. I have not taken it to a dealer yet, but have read several forums online that talk about the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10237788, filed 2008-08, 127,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10017892Apr 1, 2005Rear axle noise repair.
- 10014659Mar 1, 2005Axle whine howl. This includes 1997-05 ford vehicles.
- 10014275Jan 1, 2005A driveline clunk or bump when starting from a stop.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26 | 24% |
| 2024 | 58 | 30% |
| 2023 | 159 | 38% |
| 2022 | 162 | 27% |
| 2021 | 321 | 31% |
| 2020 | 360 | 49% |
| 2019 | 740 | 55% |
| 2018 | 1,018 | 44% |
| 2017 | 557 | 38% |
| 2016 | 615 | 29% |
| 2015 | 434 | 25% |
| 2014 | 426 | 28% |
| 2013 | 1,346 | 45% |
| 2012 | 682 | 38% |
| 2011 | 829 | 38% |
| 2010 | 121 | 14% |
| 2009 | 33 | 10% |
| 2008 | 50 | 14% |
| 2007 | 57 | 12% |
| 2006 | 46 | 8% |
| 2005 | 112 | 10% |
| 2004 | 232 | 11% |
| 2003 | 62 | 15% |
| 2002 | 53 | 6% |
| 2001 | 74 | 6% |
| 2000 | 47 | 4% |
| 1999 | 75 | 7% |
| 1998 | 83 | 6% |
| 1997 | 151 | 5% |
| 1996 | 26 | 8% |
| 1995 | 75 | 12% |
| 1994 | 56 | 8% |
| 1993 | 40 | 7% |
| 1992 | 28 | 6% |
| 1991 | 13 | 4% |
| 1990 | 13 | 5% |
| 1989 | 9 | 4% |
| 1988 | 8 | 6% |
| 1987 | 2 | 2% |
| 1986 | 2 | 3% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford F-150
69 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 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