2003 Ford F-250 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 11%of 116 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 112,688miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Ford F-250, 11% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 112,688 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“3rd spark plug on passenger side blew out without warning and also destroyed the coil. My research indicates this problem is well known to Ford, but no recalls that I could find.”
NHTSA complaint #10715070, filed 2015-05, 115,000 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“My truck shuts off while driving for no reason whatsoever. The lights come and it throws no codes at all. I have experienced this while driving down the road at speeds of 50 or less. But it doesn't matter it still dies just the engine. I have not seen one investigation by the government at all. And as I go online many people are suffering the same fate to where people have gotten into accidents... I want answers!!! We need answers as this is a serious problem. The engine just dies but I don't lose electrical power, but I do lose steering and it's very hard to control the truck at these times. …”
NHTSA complaint #10958840, filed 2017-03, 110,375 miles“The truck had what sounded like valve tap going on when it was started. I thought nothing of this since truck is a 2003 but this was a change from earlier trip. I proceeded to drive the truck since no warning lights were on and power seemed fine. Going 35-40 MPH about 1 mile from home I heard what sounded like a shotgun going off and the truck began to run badly and I limped it home with windows down because of gas smell. The next day I opened the hood to see what was going on and I found cylinder #2 had blown apart the coil pack and had also ejected the spark plug from the cylinder head. …”
NHTSA complaint #10778674, filed 2015-09, 91,000 miles“I have been trying to get the exhaust manifold bolts replaced by several machine shops and did my own checking on the Ford F-250 Web site and everyone tells me the same thing! Ford knows about the problem but is doing nothing to correct! I have finally found a shop that will fix the broken exhaust manifold blots ! But I would like to know what ford truly knows about this problem . To get it fixed they have to replace all the bolts do to the bolts being so rusted ! Now I only have 121, + miles on my2003 and with the bolts broken it starts admitting gas fumes into the cab . …”
NHTSA complaint #11450126, filed 2022-02Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 8 | 6% |
| 2013 | 9 | 9% |
| 2012 | 27 | 10% |
| 2011 | 30 | 12% |
| 2010 | 9 | 12% |
| 2009 | 5 | 9% |
| 2008 | 19 | 10% |
| 2007 | 5 | 8% |
| 2006 | 21 | 10% |
| 2005 | 26 | 18% |
| 2004 | 19 | 12% |
| 2003 | 13 | 11% |
| 2002 | 12 | 8% |
| 2001 | 13 | 6% |
| 2000 | 10 | 3% |
| 1999 | 16 | 3% |
| 1997 | 2 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
| 1989 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford F-250
24 complaintsTires
20 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsElectrical system
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 27, 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