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Ford F-550 SDModel year report

2003 Ford F-550 SD Problems

Complaints
33filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
60,000miles, 31 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Ford F-550 SD (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2003 Ford F-550 SD. The part named most often is fuel system, with 19 complaints (58% of the total), followed by engine cooling (6) and engine (2). 31 of the complaints include a mileage, and 39% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 41 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the diesel and 16 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “I have 2 Ford f550 trucks (2001,2003). Both trucks with very low mileage (37k, 56k miles). Both diesel engines. Both have only had either shell or chevron fuel put in them. No bio fuels. The interior of both my trucks fuel tanks are delaminating and causing the various fuel filters to clog with a metallic debris and rust. Ford motor company is blaming the delaminating on the fuel used in the trucks. My dealer (westlie Ford, camas, washington) where I purchased these trucks cannot warranty the replacement tanks needed to remedy this problem. This is an epidemic for Ford motor company! …”

NHTSA complaint #10360708, filed 2010-10, 37,000 miles

Engine cooling: “I have experienced numerous engine failures, of which I have the receipts, on my f500 Ford with the 6.0 diesel engine, at a cost to me of over $7,000. At the time of the failures, the engine was only out of warranty for a short period of time. Because a diesel should last for a relatively long period of time and should not have these types of problems, I asked Ford to cover the bill. In short, Ford would not give me the time of day or admit to anything. I am very concerned as I don' t make the kind of money it takes to continually invest in an engine that should still run fine. …”

NHTSA complaint #10481643, filed 2012-10, 80,687 miles

Equipment: “Norcold corp. Issued safety recall # 10e-049 on/about october 21, 2010 for refrigerator units in recreational vehicles for a potential fire in the cooling unit(s). A certified rv dealer confirmed fire damage to unit owned and operated by complainant . Norcold corp. Has refused to honor safety recall(s) and repair said damaged units. The fire was contained to the refrigerator unit only however its a total lost. …”

NHTSA complaint #10461248, filed 2012-06, 25,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

39% of the 31 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 37,000 and 100,000 miles.

13%0–103%10–2523%25–5023%50–7510%75–10023%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (31 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 60,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2003200620087201020122018
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2003 Ford F-550 SD → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 41 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 41 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ford F-550 SD

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2022985,00012———Not enough data
202112148,0009———Not enough data
20151122,3503———Not enough data
2014933,0066———Not enough data
2012640,50010———Not enough data
20082633,0004——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20072332,5001———Falling
20064443,9821——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20053247,5004——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20044936,0002——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20033360,0005——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20022259,0004———Falling
200129130,0006——Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20007251,5005——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19996165,0008——Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Ford F-550 SD model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Ford F-550 SD have?

NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2003 Ford F-550 SD as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Ford F-550 SD is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 19 complaints (58% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 6.

Has the 2003 Ford F-550 SD been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Ford F-550 SD reported?

Among the 31 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,000 miles and the middle half falls between 37,000 and 100,000 miles; 39% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.