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2003 Ford F-150: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2003 Ford F-150, most recently filed July 2011. Owners have filed 423 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 4campaigns 2 vehicle speed control · 1 fuel system · 1 steering Source: NHTSA Complaints 423filed Owner reports, 1999–2008 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy 16mpg combined $4,082/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 4.2 L 6-cyl· 4-speed automatic 16 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (4)

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2003 Ford F-150. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2003 Ford F-150. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 11V385000 Filed Jul 29, 2011

FUEL TANK STRAP CORROSION

Fuel system, gasoline · storage · tank assembly · mounting
Official NHTSA text
Summary
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD DEICING CHEMICALS MAY CAUSE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH SECURE THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE.
Consequence
AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY FAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL LINES TO SEPARATE FROM THE TANK, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSING THE TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND. EITHER SCENARIO MAY RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD.
Remedy
FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS REPLACED WITH STRAPS THAT HAVE INCREASED CORROSION PROTECTION. EARLY IN THIS CAMPAIGN, IF REPLACEMENT STRAPS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, DEALERS MAY INSTALL A CABLE SUPPORT UNDER THE STRAP AS AN INTERIM REPAIR OR A STEEL REINFORCEMENT OVER THE EXISTING STRAP AS A PERMANENT REPAIR. ANY REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332. FORD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 11S21
Repair progress not yet reported1,100,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 11V385000
Listed for 2003 Ford F-150. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 07V336000 Filed Aug 3, 2007

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH

Vehicle speed control
Official NHTSA text
Summary
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence
THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Repair progress not yet reported3,600,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 07V336000
Listed for 2003 Ford F-150. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 07V078000 Filed Mar 6, 2007

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/SUPPLEMENT

Vehicle speed control
Official NHTSA text
Summary
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence
OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE, BURN, OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017, 05V388, AND 06V286)
Repair progress not yet reported155,584 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 07V078000
Listed for 2003 Ford F-150. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 03V349000 Filed Sep 22, 2003

FORD/PITMAN ARM TO STEERING GEAR RETAINING NUT

Steering · gear box · shaft pitman
Official NHTSA text
Summary
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE PITMAN ARM TO STEERING GEAR RETAINING NUT WAS NOT FULLY TIGHTENED TO THE REQUIRED SPECIFICATION.
Consequence
IF THE PITMAN ARM TO GEARBOX ATTACHMENT NUT LOOSENS, A NOISE AND A LOOSE FEEL IN THE STEERING COULD OCCUR. IF THE CONDITION PROGRESSED AND SERVICE WAS NOT SOUGHT, THE NUT COULD BACK OFF COMPLETELY AND THE PITMAN ARM COULD SEPARATE FROM THE GEAR CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING. IF THE WARNING IS NOT HEEDED AND STEERING IS LOST, A CRASH MAY RESULT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE PITMAN ARM RETAINING NUT TO SPECIFICATIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 1, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Repair progress not yet reported300 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 03V349000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which F-150 years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Ford F-150All model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (423)

423 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.

43involved a crash
37involved a fire
36injuries reported
1deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Ford F-150, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 423.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2003 compares with other F-150 years

Best and worst F-150 years →
1,044 1,075 1,236 821 423 2,029 1,112 585 488 369
1999200020012002200320042005200620072008
This year (2003)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 16 mpg combined

16
mpg combined
14
city
19
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$4,200
CO₂ tailpipe
555 g/mi
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks

What it costs you to run

$4,082per year
$340per month
938gallons a year

Miles ÷ 16 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2003 Ford F-150 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
4.2 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16$4,200555
4.2 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive15 / 19 / 16$4,200555
4.6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16$4,200555
4.2 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 18 / 16$4,200555
4.6 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 15$4,450593
5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 15$4,450593
4.2 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 17 / 15$4,450593
4.6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 15$4,450593
5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15$4,450593
5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15$4,450593
4.6 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 14$4,800635
5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive12 / 16 / 14$4,800635
5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive11 / 15 / 13$6,300684
5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive11 / 15 / 13$3,550541
5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive11 / 15 / 13$5,150684
5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive11 / 14 / 12$5,600741

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2003 F-150 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All F-150 years

Where to next

Which F-150 years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2004 Ford F-150 report2,029 complaints · 5 campaigns →2002 Ford F-150 report821 complaints · 2 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2003 Ford F-150 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2003 Ford F-150 have?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 11V385000 (fuel system), 07V336000 (vehicle speed control), 07V078000 (vehicle speed control), 03V349000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2003 Ford F-150 problems?

Owners filed 423 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (69), Power train (62), Electrical system (47) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2003 Ford F-150 get?

EPA rates the 4.2 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 14 city, 19 highway and 16 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2003 F-150 compare with other years?

Among the 1999–2008 Ford F-150 model years at least five years old, the 2008 drew the fewest complaints (369) and the 2004 the most (2,029). The 2003 drew 423. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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