Ford F Series 2003
Model F Series made in 2003 by Ford got 33 consumer complains, 3 investigations there is 1 recall as well as 9 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to air bags, engine and engine cooling and equipment. Technical service bulletines regarding electrical system, engine and engine cooling and power train. The car had one investigation (engine and engine cooling). There was one recall concerning structure .
Model 2003
Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STRUCTURE | ||||||||||||||||
| 03V094000 | SOUTHERN COMFORT CONVERSIONS | from 08/01/2000 to 03/03/2003 | V (Vehicle) | 3674 | 03/07/2003 | MFR | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 03/07/2003 | 03/18/2003 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. these units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. owner notification began march 7, 2003. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||||
| TB-08-258 | 12/29/2008 | 10029029 | Jerr-dan: anti stall feature for ford f series light duty chassis with v10 gas engine and an engine drive clutch pump. model years unknown. *pe | 06/12/2009 | |
| 04174 | 09/06/2004 | 10013116 | Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated - system lean diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) - service tips. various models including 2004 f-series. *tt | 04/08/2005 | |
| 03181 | 09/15/2003 | 10004027 | Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips. *tt | 11/14/2003 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||||
| TB-08-258 | 12/29/2008 | 10029029 | Jerr-dan: anti stall feature for ford f series light duty chassis with v10 gas engine and an engine drive clutch pump. model years unknown. *pe | 06/12/2009 | |
| 02194 | 09/30/2002 | 10008589 | Driveability-no start/repeat starter failure-repeat starter replacement. electrical-sticking or binding ignition lock cylinder between start and run. engine-starting-starter staying engaged at start up. *mj | 08/09/2004 | |
| 16683 | 03/01/2003 | 10001937 | False failure of the vapor management valve (vmv). *tt *jb | 07/28/2003 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||||
| 03261 | 01/05/2003 | 10008279 | New service part - number 5 needle bearing and race kit - 4r70w transmission - service tip. *tt | 07/26/2004 | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | |||||
| 16891 | 06/01/2003 | 10002606 | Clear gel-like substance in the hydraulic brake master cylinder reservoir. this substance is a silicone base lubricant used during assembly of the master cylinder. *tt | 09/08/2003 | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - SWITCHES - BRAKE LIGHT | |||||
| 02176 | 09/02/2002 | 10008580 | Lamp-brake-invadvertent disabling of brake shift interlock. *mj | 08/05/2004 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | ||||||
| DP05005 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 09/22/2005 | 01/04/2006 | SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD | ||
| On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi | ||||||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | ||||||
| DP05005 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 09/22/2005 | 01/04/2006 | SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD | ||
| On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi | ||||||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | ||||||
| DP05005 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 09/22/2005 | 01/04/2006 | SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD | ||
| On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | |||
| 10/16/2011 | |||
| Traveling on highway 57 north in eagle pass texas maverick county around 10pm struck a bull that crossing the highway with my ford f150 super crew air bags did not deploy. | |||
| 09/15/2003 | 14300 | ||
| My complaint pertains to an accident that i was involved in on july 29, 2003. i had a frontal collision with another car in an intersection. the other car ran a red light, but the fact is, my right front corner of my bumper hit her left front side at her left front tire and did considerable amount of damage to both vehicles. i have a f150 4x4 supercrew, the other car was a olds' 98 regency full size car. my approximate speed was between 20 to 25 mph, i had just came from another intersection and had not reached the speed limit quite yet. after hitting this car my truck traveled another 20 to 30 yards before hitting a 2 pipe hand/guard rail. the corner post placed a nice v dead center in my bumper. the hood was buckled, both front quarter panels damaged and jammed back into the doors. my air bag did not deploy nor did my seat belts lock in position to prevent myself from hitting the steering wheel with my chest. the truck was repaired by a reliable collision center approved by my insurance company, state farm insurance. i had notified ford of the air bag and seat belt not working as i was lead to believe it should and was instructed to take my truck to the dealership where i purchased it and have the systems checked out. dealership test results showed systems all working properly. i contacted ford again and asked just what it takes to initiate these devices to work. the customer service person read to me what it would take for these to work. i told her that is exactly what i was telling her had happened in the wreck. at this point i have no confidence in my truck and worry that they will not work the next time if ever needed again or if they will even deploy for no reason while i'm driving down the road. i just don't know where to go with this to gain confidence in my truck. i just purchased this truck in april and will take a bad beating if i trade it off now (because it has been damaged in a crash) since i?ll never be able to trade it in or sell it. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 04/15/2003 | 100 | ||
| 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. but, because i can't "safely" keep it between the lines, with or without the trailer, i don't feel safe having my family in the vehicle. | |||
| 05/15/2003 | 500 | ||
| I have had rough idle problems since i bought the truck new. this was the first diesel vehicle i have ever owned so in the beginning i thought it was normal, but it kept getting worse. i purchased the truck in april 2003. i have had hard shifting since i bought it. when i back the truck up and then shift into drive it will slam into gear as a vehicle with no transmission fluid reacts. there was a dangerous hesitation when crossing traffic and sometimes the truck would have a 3-5 second stall. it has blown white smoke more recently and would not kick down into passing gear on the freeway. i have had the truck in for service several times and the last time they told me that they had no fix at that time. i just got off the phone with a customer service manager and she tells me that the fix will raise the noise level up 5 decibels. this will make the truck louder than it was when it was sold to me. i purchased this truck because of the power and how quiet it was. now it will get louder? i requested that ford buy the vehicle back and they want to fix the problem first! even though it will be louder. this is not acceptable but i have no choice. i have my receipts but didn't find out how much the repairs have cost all together, but ford has not charged me anything... yet | |||
| 10/15/2003 | 29900 | ||
| 6.0 litre diesel rough idle, dead accelerator at times, low power, excessive smoke, poor fuel milage 8 to 12 miles per gallon. have 30,000 miles on vehicle, poor engine response when cold, engine warning light comes on, has been to selling dealer four times for repairs, re-flash of computer for updated info from ford but problems till present! dealer has had vehicle for the past four days ,said its fixed! picked up last nite, almost did not make it home! they now have back to look at..have been around diesels for the past thirty years; this one is a dud!! most all problems still present, now fuel odor in crankcase, dealer did replace i.p.c. sensor and downloaded latest calibrations to no help! | |||
| 10/15/2003 | 1983 | ||
| Engine failure/injectors- 5/19/03,6/16/03,8/14/03,10/4/03 we purchased this truck 4/17/03 | |||
| 05/15/2003 | 9000 | ||
| The problem is called dead pedal. when you step on the gas pedal you get no response at all until you let off then the truck lunges forward usually leaving halfway in a intersection. happened on 6-26-03 again, leaving me in intersection with semi approaching and vehicle pulled up behind me, fortunately the semi had room to stop. dealer has tried to fix this but has no idea whats causing this. after looking into this on fordtrucks.com/forums i found i'm not the only one with this problem. | |||
| 10/15/2003 | 4000 | ||
| On going problems will stall at highway speeds can't pull across intersection loss of power trans will shift or not steering all over road smokes baddly when started | |||
| 07/15/2003 | 4000 | ||
| Oil leak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM | |||
| 10/15/2003 | 29900 | ||
| 6.0 litre diesel rough idle, dead accelerator at times, low power, excessive smoke, poor fuel milage 8 to 12 miles per gallon. have 30,000 miles on vehicle, poor engine response when cold, engine warning light comes on, has been to selling dealer four times for repairs, re-flash of computer for updated info from ford but problems till present! dealer has had vehicle for the past four days ,said its fixed! picked up last nite, almost did not make it home! they now have back to look at..have been around diesels for the past thirty years; this one is a dud!! most all problems still present, now fuel odor in crankcase, dealer did replace i.p.c. sensor and downloaded latest calibrations to no help! | |||
| 10/15/2003 | 4000 | ||
| On going problems will stall at highway speeds can't pull across intersection loss of power trans will shift or not steering all over road smokes baddly when started | |||
| EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL | |||
| 05/15/2003 | 500 | ||
| I have had rough idle problems since i bought the truck new. this was the first diesel vehicle i have ever owned so in the beginning i thought it was normal, but it kept getting worse. i purchased the truck in april 2003. i have had hard shifting since i bought it. when i back the truck up and then shift into drive it will slam into gear as a vehicle with no transmission fluid reacts. there was a dangerous hesitation when crossing traffic and sometimes the truck would have a 3-5 second stall. it has blown white smoke more recently and would not kick down into passing gear on the freeway. i have had the truck in for service several times and the last time they told me that they had no fix at that time. i just got off the phone with a customer service manager and she tells me that the fix will raise the noise level up 5 decibels. this will make the truck louder than it was when it was sold to me. i purchased this truck because of the power and how quiet it was. now it will get louder? i requested that ford buy the vehicle back and they want to fix the problem first! even though it will be louder. this is not acceptable but i have no choice. i have my receipts but didn't find out how much the repairs have cost all together, but ford has not charged me anything... yet | |||
| 10/15/2003 | 29900 | ||
| 6.0 litre diesel rough idle, dead accelerator at times, low power, excessive smoke, poor fuel milage 8 to 12 miles per gallon. have 30,000 miles on vehicle, poor engine response when cold, engine warning light comes on, has been to selling dealer four times for repairs, re-flash of computer for updated info from ford but problems till present! dealer has had vehicle for the past four days ,said its fixed! picked up last nite, almost did not make it home! they now have back to look at..have been around diesels for the past thirty years; this one is a dud!! most all problems still present, now fuel odor in crankcase, dealer did replace i.p.c. sensor and downloaded latest calibrations to no help! | |||
| 10/15/2003 | 1983 | ||
| Engine failure/injectors- 5/19/03,6/16/03,8/14/03,10/4/03 we purchased this truck 4/17/03 | |||
| 10/15/2003 | 4000 | ||
| On going problems will stall at highway speeds can't pull across intersection loss of power trans will shift or not steering all over road smokes baddly when started | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | |||
| 05/15/2003 | 500 | ||
| I have had rough idle problems since i bought the truck new. this was the first diesel vehicle i have ever owned so in the beginning i thought it was normal, but it kept getting worse. i purchased the truck in april 2003. i have had hard shifting since i bought it. when i back the truck up and then shift into drive it will slam into gear as a vehicle with no transmission fluid reacts. there was a dangerous hesitation when crossing traffic and sometimes the truck would have a 3-5 second stall. it has blown white smoke more recently and would not kick down into passing gear on the freeway. i have had the truck in for service several times and the last time they told me that they had no fix at that time. i just got off the phone with a customer service manager and she tells me that the fix will raise the noise level up 5 decibels. this will make the truck louder than it was when it was sold to me. i purchased this truck because of the power and how quiet it was. now it will get louder? i requested that ford buy the vehicle back and they want to fix the problem first! even though it will be louder. this is not acceptable but i have no choice. i have my receipts but didn't find out how much the repairs have cost all together, but ford has not charged me anything... yet | |||
| 10/15/2003 | 29900 | ||
| 6.0 litre diesel rough idle, dead accelerator at times, low power, excessive smoke, poor fuel milage 8 to 12 miles per gallon. have 30,000 miles on vehicle, poor engine response when cold, engine warning light comes on, has been to selling dealer four times for repairs, re-flash of computer for updated info from ford but problems till present! dealer has had vehicle for the past four days ,said its fixed! picked up last nite, almost did not make it home! they now have back to look at..have been around diesels for the past thirty years; this one is a dud!! most all problems still present, now fuel odor in crankcase, dealer did replace i.p.c. sensor and downloaded latest calibrations to no help! | |||
| 10/15/2003 | 4000 | ||
| On going problems will stall at highway speeds can't pull across intersection loss of power trans will shift or not steering all over road smokes baddly when started | |||
| OTHER | |||
| Null | |||
| POWER TRAIN | |||
| 05/15/2003 | 500 | ||
| I have had rough idle problems since i bought the truck new. this was the first diesel vehicle i have ever owned so in the beginning i thought it was normal, but it kept getting worse. i purchased the truck in april 2003. i have had hard shifting since i bought it. when i back the truck up and then shift into drive it will slam into gear as a vehicle with no transmission fluid reacts. there was a dangerous hesitation when crossing traffic and sometimes the truck would have a 3-5 second stall. it has blown white smoke more recently and would not kick down into passing gear on the freeway. i have had the truck in for service several times and the last time they told me that they had no fix at that time. i just got off the phone with a customer service manager and she tells me that the fix will raise the noise level up 5 decibels. this will make the truck louder than it was when it was sold to me. i purchased this truck because of the power and how quiet it was. now it will get louder? i requested that ford buy the vehicle back and they want to fix the problem first! even though it will be louder. this is not acceptable but i have no choice. i have my receipts but didn't find out how much the repairs have cost all together, but ford has not charged me anything... yet | |||
| 10/15/2003 | 4000 | ||
| On going problems will stall at highway speeds can't pull across intersection loss of power trans will shift or not steering all over road smokes baddly when started | |||
| 07/15/2003 | 4000 | ||
| Oil leak | |||
| SEAT BELTS | |||
| 09/15/2003 | 14300 | ||
| My complaint pertains to an accident that i was involved in on july 29, 2003. i had a frontal collision with another car in an intersection. the other car ran a red light, but the fact is, my right front corner of my bumper hit her left front side at her left front tire and did considerable amount of damage to both vehicles. i have a f150 4x4 supercrew, the other car was a olds' 98 regency full size car. my approximate speed was between 20 to 25 mph, i had just came from another intersection and had not reached the speed limit quite yet. after hitting this car my truck traveled another 20 to 30 yards before hitting a 2 pipe hand/guard rail. the corner post placed a nice v dead center in my bumper. the hood was buckled, both front quarter panels damaged and jammed back into the doors. my air bag did not deploy nor did my seat belts lock in position to prevent myself from hitting the steering wheel with my chest. the truck was repaired by a reliable collision center approved by my insurance company, state farm insurance. i had notified ford of the air bag and seat belt not working as i was lead to believe it should and was instructed to take my truck to the dealership where i purchased it and have the systems checked out. dealership test results showed systems all working properly. i contacted ford again and asked just what it takes to initiate these devices to work. the customer service person read to me what it would take for these to work. i told her that is exactly what i was telling her had happened in the wreck. at this point i have no confidence in my truck and worry that they will not work the next time if ever needed again or if they will even deploy for no reason while i'm driving down the road. i just don't know where to go with this to gain confidence in my truck. i just purchased this truck in april and will take a bad beating if i trade it off now (because it has been damaged in a crash) since i?ll never be able to trade it in or sell it. | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR | |||
| 02/15/2003 | 11000 | 4 | 10/01/2002 |
| Ford f250 2003. warped rotors, replaced 3 times. have arrangements for a 4th replacement. *la | |||
| STEERING | |||
| 04/15/2003 | 100 | ||
| 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. but, because i can't "safely" keep it between the lines, with or without the trailer, i don't feel safe having my family in the vehicle. | |||
| 10/15/2003 | 4000 | ||
| On going problems will stall at highway speeds can't pull across intersection loss of power trans will shift or not steering all over road smokes baddly when started | |||
| STEERING - COLUMN | |||
| 10/27/2004 | 1 | ||
| Steering wheel column would move back and forth on its own. consumer took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, but mechanic could not duplicate the problem. *ak | |||
| WHEELS - RIM | |||
| 10/13/2004 | 1 | ||
| While driving, a loud noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. the consumer pulled over and discovered the left front tire blew out. the vehicle was taken to a mechanic who informed the driver that the rim was bent and caused the tire to go flat. please fill in additional information. *jb | |||
Car dealers selling
| State | City | Zip | Name | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA | YREKA | 96097 | JIM WILSON FORD |