2003 Ford F-350 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 4%of 90 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Ford F-350, 4% of the 90 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,000 miles.
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 down the road and I heard a loud pop. The engine had a very abrupt loss in power and began shaking as I tried to accelerate. I was on a 2 lane road and had no choice but to try and maintain my speed to prevent causing an accident from being rear ended. After driving several miles to a place I could safely stop, I checked under the hood an a spark plug had been shot from the engine. After reviewing this on the web, there are many complaints like mine where spark plugs were shot out of engines. Nhtsa needs to evaluate this as review. …”
NHTSA complaint #10721515, filed 2015-05, 105,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Ford f350. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH the transmission started slipping and the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart vehicle. The vehicle was neither repaired nor taken for diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of incident. The failure mileage was 47,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10510985, filed 2013-05, 47,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10013316Jan 1, 2005A cold weather reverse engagement stall.
- 10011164Aug 23, 2004Rear axle popping/chatter noise - dana 80 model dual rear wheel (drw).
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 7 | 8% |
| 2013 | 5 | 7% |
| 2012 | 9 | 6% |
| 2011 | 9 | 7% |
| 2009 | 1 | 4% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 3 | 8% |
| 2006 | 3 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 4% |
| 2004 | 18 | 11% |
| 2003 | 4 | 4% |
| 2002 | 10 | 9% |
| 2001 | 17 | 11% |
| 2000 | 28 | 9% |
| 1999 | 64 | 16% |
| 1998 | 1 | 8% |
| 1997 | 21 | 14% |
| 1996 | 15 | 12% |
| 1995 | 14 | 10% |
| 1994 | 22 | 23% |
| 1993 | 15 | 15% |
| 1992 | 8 | 15% |
| 1991 | 3 | 10% |
| 1990 | 5 | 13% |
| 1989 | 2 | 5% |
| 1988 | 3 | 10% |
| 1987 | 1 | 13% |
| 1986 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford F-350
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsTires
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford F-350
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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