2003 Ford F Super Duty Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 15%of 27 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 149,142miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Ford F Super Duty, 15% of the 27 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 149,142 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.
“We have had 4 spark plugs blow on the motor in 4 years and twice just this years of 2011. Leaving us stranded twice, once 1/2 mile from home so we drove home, and once in wyoming(1,101 miles away from home, at 46 below zero so we had to unplug the fuel injector so we could get to help on x-mas day after we had driving to my dads funeral already for 14 hours trying to get there, we still had 9 more to go and it was 5:30 a.m. But now we could not drive over 50 miles per hour for fear of what may happen. Snow storm and holiday nothing open..... …”
NHTSA complaint #10432472, filed 2011-10, 149,142 miles“While driving my 2003 Ford f250 p-up w/ 5.4l engine, I heard a loud pop and suddenly my truck will hardly go and it catches fire. I was informed it was a spark plug that blew out, which I had never changed. Ford says they will not fix it, and other people want $2000 to fix it. I have since heard that this is a normal problem with these engine. I have 5 kids and now only 1 vehicle, cause I do not have the $2000 to fix a problem that Ford created.”
NHTSA complaint #10254212, filed 2009-01“On 7/8/05 as my wife was backing out of the driveway, my Ford f250 deisel lariet stalled. She turned the ignition off then tried to start it. The light indicating the glow plugs had warmed up sufficiently would not go off so she turned off the ignition key and turned it back on. This time the glow plug light indicator went off and the engine started fine, however, the engine acted like it did not want to change gears. She drove it slowly for a block then decided to bring it back to say it wasn't working properly but when she got back it seemed to work okay. …”
NHTSA complaint #10128770, filed 2005-07“A brand new Ford f-250 diesel, has occurrences of its accelerator not responding. Which almost caused an accident while trying to turn at an intersection.”
NHTSA complaint #10041384, filed 2003-10Related service bulletins
- 10030848Dec 9, 2009Ford: some vehicles equipped with the 6.0l engine may experience a p006a, p132, p0401 or p0402 diagnostic trouble code (dtc) with a lack of power condition, surge, or…
- 10028826Jun 1, 2009Ford: some vehicles with diesel engines may experience no starts, hard starts or rough running when cold and may be accompanied with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0611, p1378…
- 10028730May 1, 2009Ford: some vehicles equipped with 6.0l diesel engine may exhibit any one or combination of the following concerns-lack of power, white/black smoke or a surge.
- 10028125Mar 4, 2009Ford: vehicles may exhibit fuel in the engine coolant, due to leaks in the cylinder head fuel injector area. Symptoms may include fuel in engine coolant and coolant expulsion…
- 10026321May 26, 2008Ford: vehicles mistakenly charged $100 powertrain warranty deductible for fuel injector repair or repairs. No model or model years provided. *pe econoline, excursion and f-series…
- 10023943Oct 1, 2007Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this includes…
- 10018745Nov 14, 2005Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10014685Mar 21, 2005Use of stainless steel exhaust studs in service for 5.4l 2v engine.
- 10014666Mar 7, 2005Intermittent rough idle - non-commanded egr (exhaust gas recirculation valve) flow.
- 10016846Jan 1, 2005Oil leak or boost pressure leak at hot side charge air cooler (cac) duct-6.0l diesel engine.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 3 | 10% |
| 2005 | 1 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 14% |
| 2003 | 4 | 15% |
| 2002 | 10 | 29% |
| 2001 | 8 | 25% |
| 2000 | 15 | 24% |
| 1999 | 12 | 13% |
| 1998 | 1 | 7% |
| 1997 | 3 | 13% |
| 1996 | 2 | 25% |
| 1994 | 2 | 10% |
| 1992 | 1 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford F Super Duty
9 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford F Super Duty
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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