2003 Ford F-350 SD Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 5%of 132 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,970miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Ford F-350 SD, 5% of the 132 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,970 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“I was driving my Ford f-350 and making a turn. When I went to straighten the truck out, I had no steering and went into a ditch and knocked 2 evergreen trees down and rested against a utility pole. Too much damaged was done during the accident to find out the cause of the accident. There was no steering. The truck was totaled out.”
NHTSA complaint #10080589, filed 2004-07, 9,970 miles“Took truck in to get computer updates (132000 mi). Dealer discovered 12 quarts of fuel in crankcase. Had to get injector seals replaced ($1200). I know of at least 4 other owners of this model to have this problem. In august 2004 had to have front end rebuilt even though I had done required maintenance ($450)vehicle lost power (12/20/04)(182000 mi). Stopped to check for problem. Engine restarted. I shut it off and tried to restart. It would turn over but not start. Had towed to dealer. They had 20 different codes come up on computer diagnostic. …”
NHTSA complaint #10104678, filed 2004-12, 182,000 miles“The truck will not drive straight. The truck wanders on the road. There is approximatley 2 inches of "play" in the steering. Ford calls this normal and consistant with other "like" vehicles. It has been to the dealer at least 3 times, maybe 4. I've lost count. The factory "rep" supposedly has driven the vehicle and said it's normal. I've had the motor problems like the concerns I've read on the internet, but the dealer has corrected those. This vehicle does "haul the mail", but I purchased it to pull my travel trailer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10071177, filed 2004-01, 100 miles“While pulling out of a parking space the consumer heard a loud popping noise and then lost steering control. The consumer inspected the vehicle and found the coupling that held the tie rods had broken. The vehicle was towed to the repair shop.”
NHTSA complaint #10119078, filed 2005-04, 45,000 miles“My 2003 f350 has all of the death wobble issues, driving at 55 or 70 on the highway the front end will just go into a crazy wobble in which I have to slow down to try and fix. Sometimes when I use the brake pedal it will also go into the same event. I've read all these issues on the net and cannot understand that if its such a huge problem why is it not being addressed. Will it take one of these vehicles killing a family member of the people at Ford to get this under control or maybe they just don't care as long as they are making money. …”
NHTSA complaint #10396559, filed 2011-04Related service bulletins
- 10148818Oct 2, 2018This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball…
- 10028404Dec 1, 2013Ford trucks service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Vehicles have experienced severe steering wheel and front wheel vibrations and oscillations after…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 7% |
| 2024 | 4 | 9% |
| 2023 | 2 | 5% |
| 2022 | 16 | 14% |
| 2021 | 4 | 4% |
| 2020 | 35 | 19% |
| 2019 | 266 | 57% |
| 2018 | 102 | 50% |
| 2017 | 292 | 51% |
| 2016 | 76 | 36% |
| 2015 | 67 | 32% |
| 2014 | 2 | 29% |
| 2013 | 2 | 22% |
| 2012 | 9 | 31% |
| 2011 | 14 | 33% |
| 2010 | 17 | 34% |
| 2009 | 3 | 16% |
| 2008 | 25 | 25% |
| 2007 | 9 | 36% |
| 2006 | 45 | 35% |
| 2005 | 38 | 18% |
| 2004 | 6 | 5% |
| 2003 | 7 | 5% |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% |
| 2001 | 12 | 8% |
| 2000 | 19 | 12% |
| 1999 | 10 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford F-350 SD
51 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsTires
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsBrakes
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 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