2003 Ford F-250 SD Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 13%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 33,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Ford F-250 SD, 13% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I own a 2003 Ford f250 7.3l diesel. Since jan. 2004 the vehicle began hiccuping or missing just for a split second while driving. I took the vehicle in for service in feb. & the dealer said there were no codes, no failures . Truck continues to miss & then the condition worsened by stalling while driving & I have no power steering. I am able to restart the vehicle & go about my way, all the while worrying when & where I will be when it happens again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10064479, filed 2004-04, 16,000 miles“2003 Ford f250 super duty 4 door 4x4 with 6.0 turbo diesel we have had problems with the injection system consisting of our having to replace some injectors, glow plugs, and finally now the ficm (fuel injection control module) and the #8 fuel injector . The vehicle runs sluggish, hesitant, miss firing, severe vibration. We had a diagnostic test done and received an estimate for $1878.00 to fix the issue. I have seen a lot of talk on the internet about this issue havinga recall but when I contacted my dealer they said there were no current open recalls for this vehicle. Please investigate.”
NHTSA complaint #10402233, filed 2011-05, 83,185 miles“I purchased a 2003 Ford f-250 super duty crew cab with 6.0 diesel in late january of this year. The check engine light came on in oregon. I pulled into the Ford house in coos bay on saturday. They couldn't work on it until monday. Tuesday they said it was an injector seal problem. They said they drained 28 quarts of fluid from the crankcase, which had a 15 qt capacity. The rest, they said, was diesel blow-by. They replaced 3 sensors and 1 injector and installed a new computer update. We picked up the truck and left town the following thursday. …”
NHTSA complaint #10020563, filed 2003-05, 5,000 miles“I bought a 2003 f-250 6.0 diesel. This is a new engine this year, I ohave had the truck only 5 days before the motor starts shaking a 50 MPH and while im at a stop light it shakes very bad w/ no check engine light on, and I took it to the dealer and its been there longer then ive owned the truck for.. I also pressed the gas pedal when I noticed the truck did not move, and 1 sec after I let go of the gas pedal the truck took off by its self... Whats going on w? This truck???this truck should be stopped from being sold and causing the owners w/ heart aches..”
NHTSA complaint #10016885, filed 2003-05, 500 miles“We were returning home from a trip to charlotte, nc yesterday afternoon when we were stopped by another motorist at the intersection of south college road and carolina beach road in wilmington. The driver had been following us for approximately one mile and his truck was covered with diesel fuel from our new Ford f250. Apparently the fuel system had started leaking. He looked under the truck and advised us to pull off as soon as the traffic signal allowed us to move. There was a puddle of diesel fuel under the truck sufficient to cause the rear tires to slip. …”
NHTSA complaint #10010446, filed 2003-03, 4,866 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10021621Feb 1, 2007Lack of power due to low fuel pressure, fuel tank liner seperation.
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 11% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2023 | 3 | 7% |
| 2022 | 31 | 24% |
| 2021 | 44 | 26% |
| 2020 | 64 | 24% |
| 2019 | 50 | 4% |
| 2018 | 21 | 5% |
| 2017 | 54 | 5% |
| 2016 | 29 | 10% |
| 2015 | 34 | 11% |
| 2014 | 5 | 19% |
| 2013 | 4 | 19% |
| 2012 | 6 | 11% |
| 2011 | 13 | 11% |
| 2010 | 3 | 9% |
| 2009 | 2 | 9% |
| 2008 | 8 | 6% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 26 | 9% |
| 2004 | 38 | 15% |
| 2003 | 24 | 13% |
| 2002 | 10 | 4% |
| 2001 | 7 | 2% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
| 1999 | 13 | 5% |
| 1997 | 3 | 8% |
| 1996 | 1 | 9% |
| 1995 | 1 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford F-250 SD
72 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsTires
18 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsBrakes
12 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