2003 Ford F-350 SD Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 51about this part
- Share
- 39%of 132 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 28,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 51 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Ford F-350 SD, 39% of the 132 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,000 miles. 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.
“I'm sure I have the same problem. I heard a ticking noise also, then my truck started to miss under load. Unable to determine which cylinder is the problem, sounds like all my be bad at some time. Ford has to be aware of this problem, not taking the blame is an example of how they run their business. Ooohhhh wait they are getting ready to go under. Wonder why????”
NHTSA complaint #10252038, filed 2008-12, 58,000 miles“Our company has purchased a 2003 Ford f350 in july 2003 it has 18,000 miles on it and has had 3 turbo's installed is runs rough lacks power and continues to have problems we do not drive the truck often but is run daily. I can't imagine the problems we would have if driven 500 miles a week . My concerns are what will happen when the warranty runs out and I need to pay 1500 for a turbo or new engine or injectors.”
NHTSA complaint #10214738, filed 2008-01, 2,289 miles“I was hauling a loaded horse trailer and had just merged onto the highway. As I was trying to accelerate, the engine was catching and wouldn't let me accelerate past 35 MPH and was revving very high and wouldn't shift up into the next gear. It finally stalled and completely shut off in the middle of traffic and I had to coast to the side of the road where white smoke started pouring out from under the hood. My entire rig - truck, trailer and horses, had to be towed home and then the truck towed to the mechanic. …”
NHTSA complaint #10461939, filed 2012-06, 55,708 miles“2003 Ford f-350 6.0l diesel. Vehicle ran rough lost power. 3 injectors bad the first time, 2 bad injectors two other times before engine blew at 41000 miles. Has had numerus injectors changed, and many other equipment failures. Was at the dealer ship for over 5 weeks getting engine replaced. We just previusly had the truck at a dealership for over 15 days and they could not diagnos the problem we were having of loss of power.”
NHTSA complaint #10108191, filed 2005-01, 23,671 miles“Excessive black smoke and lack of power on acceleration. Fuel economy is way down. I took the pickup to sierra Ford in bishop ca. They kept the pickup for two days and did not have the parts to fix the pickup, in fact they had to take parts off a different pickup and put them on mine for me to get home to fresno ca.I took the pickup to freedom Ford to be fixed when I got home . Both dealers said the turbo was bad.”
NHTSA complaint #10086814, filed 2004-08, 25,462 milesRelated recalls
- 07V553000Dec 5, 2007On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 7.3l diesel engines, the camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle may function intermittently…Covers: Ford F-350 SD 1997–2003, F-450 SD 1997–2003, E Series 1997–2003 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10055629Feb 1, 2014Ford: on some trucks, there is a no crank situation and if voltage on transmission range sensor at pin 21, is less than 5 volts, disconnect the engine cooling fan clutch…
- 10024865Apr 1, 20081999-2008 7.3l/6.0l/6.4l/4.5l diesel f-super duty - clean the charge air cooler (cac) system after certain turbo or engine failures - service tip.
- 10024325Mar 1, 20086.0l turbocharger carbon deposit diagnostics and service tips. *nj updated 5/29/08.
- 10023855Oct 1, 20076.0l--mil on--p0401, p0402, p0404, p1335--lack of power or surge with some 2003-2007 f-super duty, 2003-2005 excursion and 2004-2008 e-series vehicles.
- 10022295Jul 25, 2007Dtc's p006a or p132b - lacks power, surge, or flutter after field service action 06e17.
- 10022293Jul 25, 20076.0l diesel engine - oil leak or boost pressure leak at hot side charge air cooler duct.
- 10021464Apr 27, 20076.0l oil seep or boost pressure leak at hot side charge air cooler duct.
- 10021462Apr 27, 2007Cold start driveability - white smoke, lacks power, exhaust odor, surges, runs, rough, or no start.
- 10022243Apr 1, 2007Lack of power due to low fuel pressure - fuel tank liner seperation.
- 10021236Mar 23, 2007Lack of cooling fan operation.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 14% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 3 | 3% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 2 | 0% |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% |
| 2012 | 5 | 17% |
| 2011 | 5 | 12% |
| 2010 | 2 | 4% |
| 2009 | 2 | 11% |
| 2008 | 21 | 21% |
| 2006 | 16 | 13% |
| 2005 | 48 | 22% |
| 2004 | 42 | 32% |
| 2003 | 51 | 39% |
| 2002 | 41 | 33% |
| 2001 | 40 | 25% |
| 2000 | 41 | 26% |
| 1999 | 32 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford F-350 SD
24 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsTires
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford F-350 SD
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