2003 Ford F-250 SD Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 7%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 18,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Ford F-250 SD, 7% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 18,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Ford f-250. Leaking high pressure hose from boster pump drained fluid. While exiting interstate highway, lost both brakes and steering. Almost impossible to stop and steer. Replaced fluid to get to dealer, meegan Ford in mt. Pleasant pa. High pressure hose replaced. I paid. I have old part. Fitting rusted through.”
NHTSA complaint #10232083, filed 2008-06, 32,000 miles“I was traveling on the highway during five o clock traffic at a speed of approximately 40 MPH when suddenly the vehicles in front of me began crashing into each other. I pressed my foot on the brake pedal to stop and suddenly the pedal went straight to the floor and I smashed into the back of the car in front of me. Today the auto shop handling the repairs called me in to look at what happened. The master cylinder broke completely free from the booster. The metal brackets broke in half and separated causing the lose of brakes and the accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10559952, filed 2014-01, 198,000 miles“Truck is lightly used. Today I hooked up the horse trailer to haul horses and when I was headed down the driveway and used the brakes they completely failed. I engaged the tow mode on the transmission and used the e-brake to stop. There was no warning just brake pedal to the floor failure. If this failure occurred 2 minutes later I would of been at highway speed. There was a large leak on the main brake line above the rear fuel tank. I inspected the main brake line and every place the brake line is attached to the frame there is significant corrosion of the brake line . …”
NHTSA complaint #10541910, filed 2013-09, 24,000 miles“2003 f-250 6.0 diesel. When standing on brakes turns violently to the left. Contacted sales dealer: 3k mi. Brakes need braking in. In service dealer: 12k mi. Replace calipers on driver front wheel. In service dealer: 25k mi. Replace complete braking system front / rear. Did not replace hoses. Did not check pressure. Advised they could not repair and told me to go to another dealer and trade up. Contacted cust. Service who then advised owner/dealer to exhaust available resources. Owner advised they had done so and handed me my keys. Sorry. …”
NHTSA complaint #10051345, filed 2003-12, 3,000 miles“After towing my trailer several blocks I pulled over at my destination and realized my trailer lights had gone out. This is unusual because the trailer just made a 2500 mile trip with no problems. After checking the connections and opening up the fuse box to look for blown fuses I went back to check the lights again. Upon returning to the truck several minutes later I found the fuse box and a portion of the dashboard in flames. I smothered the fire and found all the electronics to work with the exception of the passenger power seat and the trailer lights and brakes. …”
NHTSA complaint #10041674, filed 2003-10, 14,296 milesRelated recalls
- 11V352000Jul 13, 2011Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 ranger trucks built from january 25, 2011, through april 25, 2011 at the twin cities assembly plant, and service…Covers: Ford F-250 SD 2002–2007, Ranger 2004–2011, F-350 2002–2007 +5 more
Related service bulletins
- 10022675Sep 19, 2007Brake booster system may exhibit a brake pedal kickback and/or grabbing condition when applying the brakes.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 33% |
| 2025 | 5 | 29% |
| 2024 | 6 | 15% |
| 2023 | 7 | 16% |
| 2022 | 6 | 5% |
| 2021 | 7 | 4% |
| 2020 | 4 | 2% |
| 2019 | 11 | 1% |
| 2018 | 6 | 2% |
| 2017 | 18 | 2% |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% |
| 2015 | 12 | 4% |
| 2014 | 2 | 8% |
| 2013 | 1 | 5% |
| 2012 | 4 | 7% |
| 2011 | 6 | 5% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 4% |
| 2008 | 18 | 13% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 16 | 6% |
| 2005 | 20 | 7% |
| 2004 | 8 | 3% |
| 2003 | 12 | 7% |
| 2002 | 30 | 12% |
| 2001 | 11 | 4% |
| 2000 | 28 | 12% |
| 1999 | 33 | 13% |
| 1997 | 3 | 8% |
| 1996 | 1 | 9% |
| 1995 | 2 | 22% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford F-250 SD
72 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsTires
18 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsEngine
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford F-250 SD
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