2003 Ford F-250 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 13%of 116 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 135,000miles
- 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 brakes of the 2003 Ford F-250, 13% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 135,000 miles. 1 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.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My front end shakes it's not the high speed wobble my trailer brakes they do not work I'm blowing fuses in my fuse box via trailer my truck makes a moaning sound kind of sounds like a foghorn this is when I started or I come to a stop and when it's idling doesn't do it all the time my shifter on my column came loose and won't go into park”
NHTSA complaint #11093839, filed 2018-05, 155,000 miles“I had parked my truck in my driveway. I put it in park, set the parking brake and turn off the engine. As I stepped out of the truck the truck rolled down the driveway dragging me about 100 ft stiking the power pole at the end of the diveway. The pole was rotted and fell on the truck crushing me between the body and the driver side front door.”
NHTSA complaint #11042654, filed 2017-11, 170,000 miles“The rear brake lines have rusted out on my 2003 Ford f250 - we received a letter from the ntsb asking if our brake lines had rusted out - they just did last night and almost caused an accident. This is incredible that a 7 1/2 year old vehicle lost it's brakes already.”
NHTSA complaint #10429022, filed 2011-10, 93,000 miles“The check engine light came on and we pulled over then when I put the truck into drive to pull out it barely moved. We were almost hit bc the truck wouldn't move so I put in in reverse to get out of the road and it did fine. So I tried to pull out again n drive and again it wouldn't go no matter how much gas I gave it. It sounds like something is drownding out or it isn't getting gas. But like I said. It won't go forward in drive or 1st or 2nd. Only in reverse will it move normally. This is major!!! I can't have my kids at risk bc there's something wrong with the truck. …”
NHTSA complaint #11092593, filed 2018-05, 300,000 miles“I own a 2003 Ford f250 7.3 liter diesel pickup. On inspection, required by pa law for safety reasons, it failed because of rotor rust. I then had to replace all four brakes and rotors at a considerable cost to me. . The truck had 33,309 miles on it and was stored and used similar to three other older vehicles I owned the same thing occurred on this truck at 19,750 miles when it was 3 years old. The earlier rust issue was covered under warranty. Rusting brake pads are unacceptable in today's world. I have never had this type of problem in the past and suspect Ford is using sub standard steel. …”
NHTSA complaint #10328142, filed 2010-04, 33,309 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 2002–2007, Ranger 2004–2011, F-350 2002–2007 +5 more
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 3 | 3% |
| 2012 | 10 | 4% |
| 2011 | 7 | 3% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 19 | 10% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 9 | 4% |
| 2005 | 11 | 8% |
| 2004 | 10 | 6% |
| 2003 | 15 | 13% |
| 2002 | 19 | 12% |
| 2001 | 26 | 12% |
| 2000 | 38 | 12% |
| 1999 | 108 | 19% |
| 1998 | 11 | 20% |
| 1997 | 31 | 10% |
| 1996 | 15 | 9% |
| 1995 | 41 | 22% |
| 1994 | 23 | 19% |
| 1993 | 25 | 19% |
| 1992 | 25 | 21% |
| 1991 | 27 | 25% |
| 1990 | 28 | 25% |
| 1989 | 24 | 21% |
| 1988 | 14 | 23% |
| 1987 | 9 | 24% |
| 1986 | 4 | 11% |
| 1985 | 4 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford F-250
24 complaintsTires
20 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsEngine
13 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford F-250
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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