2003 Ford F-350 SD Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 132 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,300miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Ford F-350 SD, 3% of the 132 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,300 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.
“While preparing for a camping trip this pass summer, I went to check the oil level. When I went to remove the oil dipstick, the dipstick tube broke, due to corrosion. This is the first time in my 25 years of owning a vehicle for that to happen. It would be alright, but in order to replace the tube, it is required to remove the exhaust manifold to properly replace it. In turn it cost more money to replace a product that should not break. I was fueling my truck and wanted to check all my fluids.”
NHTSA complaint #11141798, filed 2018-10, 56,000 miles“On 05/31/2013 after driving aprox 50 miles at highway speeds the truck was parked and a small fire started due to leaking oil on the hot exhaust system from a rusted oil pan. The fire was extinguished before it consumed the entire vehicle. I have contacted Ford motor co. Customer care and was told that the truck was out of warranty and that the cost to repair 1500.00 to 2000.00 would be my responsibility. I am disabled and on social security with a very fixed income and cannot afford the cost of this repair. …”
NHTSA complaint #10523043, filed 2013-07, 100,300 miles“Vehicle was accelerating onto on-ramp to interstate 90 west bound at pines road in spokane valley wa. Vehicle was driven by my wife. At approximately 30 MPH their was a loud bang and noise that sounded like an exhaust leak. Vehicle was driven to the shoulder and shut off. My wife called me and I came to investigate what had happened. I turned the engine over and determined it was not an exhaust leak but that a spark plug had been blown out of the right side of the engine. It was the number 4 spark plug from the front on my v-10 gas engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10488604, filed 2012-12, 107,000 miles“I called Ford motor company on my 2003 Ford f350 sd. Sc. 4x4 5.4 eng. With the problem with both exhaust manifolds rotting away & the studs & nuts rotting , they told me we won't fix the problem for free . I would like for your help to make Ford motor company fix this problems for free because I talked to many Ford dealers they are replacing this same problems on all 5.4 eng. On Ford trucks and have to charge for these problems . Please investagate this problems before all these trucks will catch on fire and people will be injury or fatality will happen . …”
NHTSA complaint #10598413, filed 2014-06Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 13% |
| 2025 | 2 | 14% |
| 2024 | 4 | 9% |
| 2023 | 3 | 7% |
| 2022 | 12 | 11% |
| 2021 | 15 | 15% |
| 2020 | 14 | 7% |
| 2019 | 18 | 4% |
| 2018 | 7 | 3% |
| 2017 | 23 | 4% |
| 2016 | 22 | 11% |
| 2015 | 38 | 18% |
| 2014 | 1 | 14% |
| 2013 | 2 | 22% |
| 2012 | 3 | 10% |
| 2011 | 9 | 21% |
| 2010 | 7 | 14% |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 10 | 10% |
| 2007 | 1 | 4% |
| 2006 | 5 | 4% |
| 2005 | 8 | 4% |
| 2004 | 7 | 5% |
| 2003 | 4 | 3% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford F-350 SD
51 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsTires
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 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