2003 Ford F-250 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 11%of 116 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Ford F-250, 11% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles. 4 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.
“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“Dt: at 9 pm vehicle parked vehicle in driveway and it caught on fire. Vehicle had sat for about 10 hours. Vehicle was driven for about 20 minutes before it was parked. There were no indications from mechanics upon regular inspection that there was a problem. No problems with vehicle before and no modifications. A neighbor knocked on consumer's door and advised him that there were flames coming from the dashboard and the hood as well. By the time fire department arrived the windows were gone, inside destroyed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10126835, filed 2005-06, 40,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-250. The contact stated that in order to keep the vehicle's engine on, the hazard lights and headlights had to be activated; however, the lights did not illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10897881, filed 2016-08, 200,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-250. The contact stated that both turn signals and the windshield wipers would intermittently fail to operate as needed. Over time, the failure worsened and the components failed to operate. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11487100, filed 2022-09, 140,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-250. While attempting to drive the vehicle, it failed to start and the fuel gauge failed to provide an accurate reading. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he needed to take the vehicle back where it was purchased. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11024034, filed 2017-09, 143,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V327000Jul 7, 2004On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with 6.0l diesel engines, the engine ground stud that attaches the negative battery terminal…Covers: Ford F-250 2003, F-350 2003, Excursion 2003 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 10013116Sep 6, 2004Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated - system lean diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) - service tips. Various models including 2004 f-series.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 9 | 6% |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% |
| 2012 | 18 | 7% |
| 2011 | 11 | 4% |
| 2010 | 4 | 5% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 12 | 6% |
| 2007 | 3 | 5% |
| 2006 | 18 | 8% |
| 2005 | 13 | 9% |
| 2004 | 36 | 23% |
| 2003 | 13 | 11% |
| 2002 | 14 | 9% |
| 2001 | 12 | 5% |
| 2000 | 24 | 7% |
| 1999 | 25 | 4% |
| 1998 | 2 | 4% |
| 1997 | 19 | 6% |
| 1996 | 11 | 6% |
| 1995 | 12 | 7% |
| 1994 | 12 | 10% |
| 1993 | 7 | 5% |
| 1992 | 9 | 8% |
| 1991 | 15 | 14% |
| 1990 | 14 | 13% |
| 1989 | 20 | 18% |
| 1988 | 15 | 24% |
| 1987 | 11 | 29% |
| 1986 | 13 | 34% |
| 1985 | 6 | 29% |
| 1984 | 5 | 50% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford F-250
24 complaintsTires
20 complaintsBrakes
15 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 28, 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