Owners have filed 18 complaints
about the 2003 Ford F-450 SD with NHTSA between 2003 and 2013.
The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion.
Across this model's run it ranks 12 of 14 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 23
Against the median year of the Ford F-450 SD. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 73
43% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2003 Ford F-450 SD
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
633.3%
Median failure at 59,310 miles
Engine & Cooling
422.2%
Median failure at 55,221 miles
Tires
211.1%
Median failure at 95,753 miles
Suspension
211.1%
Median failure at 14,500 miles
Other & Unspecified
15.6%
Wheels
15.6%
Median failure at 4,053 miles
Brakes
15.6%
Steering
15.6%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
17.1%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
321.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
214.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
321.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
321.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
214.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2003peak 2May 2013
NHTSA investigations into the 2003 Ford F-450 SD
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA06012Opened 22 Jun 2006Closed 7 Dec 2007ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
ENGINE STALLING
IN A DECEMBER 3, 2007 LETTER, FORD ADVISED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE CAM POSITION SENSOR (CPS) IN APPROXIMATELY 1.2 MILLION SUBJECT VEHICLES TO ADDRESS REPORTS OF ENGINE STALLING.A NEW DESIGN CPS WITH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY WILL BE INSTALLED AS A REMEDY.OWNER NOTIFICATIONS WILL BEGIN IN DECEMBER 2007. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE DURABLE, FULL-SIZED, MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, RESCUE/EMERGENCY RESPONSE, AND COMMERCIAL OR RECREATIONAL TOWING.CPS FAILURE IS COMPARABLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY TURNING THE KEY OFF SINCE THE SIGNAL IT P...
EA05003Opened 15 Feb 2005Closed 2 Nov 2005ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ENGINE STALLING
IN A JUNE 7, 2005 LETTER, FORD NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WOULD BE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL OF APPROXIMATELY 180,000 FORD F-SUPER DUTY, EXCURSION AND E-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES TO CORRECT TWO WIRING RELATED CONDITIONS THAT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-270, FORD NO. 05S34).THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 29, 2003 AND MAY 31, 2004.ACCORDING TO FORD, VEHICLES WITH THE CONDITIONS MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART.FORD WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS OF VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE TH...
EA04006Opened 23 Feb 2004Closed 10 Feb 2005VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (ETC)
FAILURE COUNTS FROM ODI?S ANALYSIS ARE STATED ABOVE; SEE THE ADDITIONAL PROBLEM EXPERIENCE DISCUSSION IN THE SUMMARY REPORT.FORD DATA CONTAINED DUPLICATIVE REPORTS FOR 4 ODI COMPLAINTS AND 1 CRASH.THREE CRASHES WERE ALLEGEDLY DUE TO INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) PEDAL, ONE CRASH OCCURRED WHEN AN ETC DISABLED VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER MOTORIST, ONE REPORT CONTAINED NO DETAIL.THE INJURIES WERE MINOR.AN ISSUE INVOLVING FIXED ETC PEDALS WAS INVESTIGATED ALSO, HOWEVER FAILURE REPORTS AND POPULATIONS ARE NOT SHOWN ABOVE; SEE SUMMARY REPORT FOR DETAIL.ALTHOUGH FO...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 119,311 milesClifton, NJ
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE AND LOSE POWER, EVENTUALLY NOT EVEN BEING ABLE TO STAY RUNNING. THE MECHANIC UPON REVIEW FOUND THE TANK LINER HAD DELAMINATED FROM INSIDE FUEL TANK AND HAD PLUGGED UP FUEL SENDER. BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACE AT A COST OF $2800, FORD DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.
NHTSA complaint #10510740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesGeddes, SD
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
THE EGR, FICM, AND INJECTORS ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE CAUSED TRAFFIC HAZARDS. WE CAN NOT PULL OUT WITHOUT THE ENGINE SPITTING AND SPUTTERING. WE HAVE REPLACE ALL OF THE ABOVE, SOME MORE THAN ONCE. LAST TIME IN TO THE FORD DEALER THEY SUGGESTED THAT WE USE A THINNER OIL TO LUBRICATE THE INJECTORS BETTER. THIS ALSO DOESN'T WORK. WE HAVE READ MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR DIESEL ENGINES SO WE KNOW IT'S NOT JUST OURS. WE PAID $8,000.00 TO REPAIR AND NOTHING IS BETTER. FORD REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP THOSE OF US THAT ARE STUCK WITH THESE TRUCKS. THE DATES OF INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN ONGOING.
NHTSA complaint #10344315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesGeddes, SD
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TRUCK HAS NO POWER WHEN FIRST STARTING AND THE FRONT END SHIMMIES SOMETHING TERRIBLE. HARD TO CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10334371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesGeddes, SD
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
TRUCK HAS NO POWER WHEN FIRST STARTING AND THE FRONT END SHIMMIES SOMETHING TERRIBLE. HARD TO CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10334371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,042 milesWest Nyack, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
THE COATING ON THE INTERIOR OF FORD DIESEL FUEL TANKS CORRODES AND COLLECTS AS SEDIMENT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE SEDIMENT, COLLECTS AT THE BOTTON OF THE FUEL TANK AND IS SUCKED INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FUEL LINES BECOME FOULED, THE FUEL PUMPS BECOME CLOGGED AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. AS THE COATING CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE, THE ONLY RECOURSE IT TO CHANGE THE FUEL TANK, THE SENSORS, AND ENTIRE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM. WE HAVE HAD 3 FORD VEHICLES F SERIES EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. THE AVERAGE REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $2180 PER VEHICLE. WE ARE REPORTING THIS AS IT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN ALL THE FORD DIESEL FUEL SYSTEMS. AS THE FUEL SYSTEMS BECOME CLOGGED, THE VEHICLES LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING AND CREATE A SAFETY ISSUE AND DRIVING HAZARD NOT ONLY TO THE VEHICLE OPERATOR BUT OTHER MOTORISTS.
NHTSA complaint #10322799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesSanta Rosa, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN DRIVING DOWN A HILL WITH LOTS OF TURNS. THE TRUCK STALLED (SHUT OFF) ALL OF THE SUDDEN RIGHT BEFORE A TURN. LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE TRUCK ON THE ROAD AND RESTART THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL. TOOK TRUCK STRAIGHT TO HANSEL FORD ASKED THEM TO TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. THEY CHECKED THE COMPUTER IN THE TRUCK, AND SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL ME.
NHTSA complaint #10256119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 136,000 milesSanta Rosa, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
THE LINING OF THE FUEL TANK HAS BEEN FLAKING OFF INTO MY FUEL LINES, WHICH IS RESTRICTING MY FUEL FILTERS. BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF FUEL, 2 FUEL INJECTORS WENT BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AND THE TURBO WAS OVER COMPENSATING FOR THE LACK OF POWER, DUE TO FUEL SHORTAGE, SO THE TURBO HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. NOW THAT WE HAVE FOUND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM, THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP HAS TO BE REPLACED AS TOO. INTO THIS FOR $5000 ALREADY WITHOUT REPLACING THE TANK AND PUMP. NEED SOME HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10256109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,579 milesCincinnati, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
THE LINING OF THE DIESEL FUEL TANK FLAKED OFF WHICH CLOGGED THE FUEL FILTERS, WHICH RESULTED IN POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10249629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,733 milesGeneva, FL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F450 SUPER DUTY. THE VEHICLE HAS DOUBLE COIN RADIAL TIRES, SIZE 225/70/19.5 (NA). THE TIRES WERE SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT TIRE MECHANIC AND TREAD SEPARATION WAS DISCOVERED IN SIX TIRES. THERE WERE FIVE TIRES WITH THE SAME DOT NUMBER. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,773 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,343. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ THE TIRES WERE PRORATED. UPDATED 10/17/08.
NHTSA complaint #10239016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,773 milesGeneva, FL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F450 SUPER DUTY. THE VEHICLE HAS DOUBLE COIN RADIAL TIRES, SIZE 225/70/19.5 (NA). THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO ODI NUMBER 10239016 REGARDING THE OTHER FIVE DEFECTIVE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT TIRE MECHANIC AND TREAD SEPARATION WAS DISCOVERED IN SIX TIRES. THERE WAS ONE TIRE WITH A DIFFERENT DOT NUMBER. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,773 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,343. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/20/08.
NHTSA complaint #10239027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 500 milesPacific, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE: TRUCK WAS PURCHASED ON 12-19-03 1.) ON 1-19-04 TRUCK HAD NO POWER, DEALER FOUND 2,3 INJECTOR SHORTED, DEALER REPLACED INJECTORS AND CHECKED BORE IN CYL HEAD PER HOTLINE. 2.)1-21-04 ENGINE WAS MISSING IN FIRE. DEALER REPLACED BOTH INJECTORS PER HOTLINE. O-RINGS BLOWN APART AND INJECTOR WONT SEAT, HOTLINE SUGGEST LOOKING AT BORE AND FOUND BURR IN BORE NOT ALLOWING INJECTOR TO SEAT . 3.) 2-23-04 ENGINE LOCKED UP ON HWY, FUEL COMING OUT OF EXHAUST. DEALER FOUND EXCESSIVE FUEL IN CYLINDERS AND TURBO, DEALER REMOVED ENGINE AND DISASSEMBLED. NO. 3 INJECTOR DAMAGED AND COPPER WASHER IN PIECES O-RING BLOWN APART. DEALER CHECKED DECK HEIGHT, REMOVED RODS AND PISTONS TO CHECK FOR BEING BENT, DEALER REPLACED NO. 3 PISTON AND ROD AND TURBO BEARINGS, WASHED OUT AND TESTED. 4.)10-26-04 STEERING FEELS FUNNY WHEN DRIVING DOWN HWY. DEALER INSPECTING STEERING AND STEERING STABILIZER LEAKING FLUID. DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED STABILIZER SHOCK. 5.)2-03-05 STEERING WHEEL BINDS UP WHILE TURNING. DEALER CHECKED AND VERIFIED CONDITION FLOW , PITMAN ARM SEIZED FLUSH SYSTEM METAL IN FLUID. 6.) 7-19-05 ENGINE HARD TO START. WHISTLE NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE WHEN RPMS REV HIGH. DEALER PERFORM COMPLETE ENGINE DIAG. REMOVED TURBO AND REPLACED EBP SENSOR PER SSM AND VERIFIED REPAIR. 7.)11-02-05 ENGINE HARD TO START, MUST PLUG BLOCK HEATER IN TO START. DEALER CHECKED AND CYL. 5 MISSED. DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED NO.5 INJECTOR,TURBO CHARGER. DEALER FOUND OIL CONTAMINATED DUE TO INJECTOR, DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACE 1,3 INJECTOR. 8.) HARD TO START AND DOES NOT HAVE OIL PRESSURE. NEW DEALER REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE OIL PUMP AND TURBO PEDESTAL, REPLACED NO. 3 INJECTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10152286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Annapolis, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES IT IS DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. THE HARDER THE BRAKE IS PRESSED THE HARDER IT IS TO TURN THE WHEEL UNTIL THE STEERING IS LOCKED UP. EVENTUALLY THE STEERING GEAR STARTED LEAKING, LEADING TO REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING GEAR. THIS DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10125472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Annapolis, MD
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES IT IS DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. THE HARDER THE BRAKE IS PRESSED THE HARDER IT IS TO TURN THE WHEEL UNTIL THE STEERING IS LOCKED UP. EVENTUALLY THE STEERING GEAR STARTED LEAKING, LEADING TO REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING GEAR. THIS DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10125472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,221 milesCharleston, SC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE SITTING ON THE SCENE OF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY WITH ENGINE IDLING, THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND THEM WOULD NOT TURN OVER TO START(LOCKED UP)
NHTSA complaint #10122304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocean City, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE MOTOR WAS LEAKING NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF OIL BETWEEN THE BLOCK WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A NEW REPLACEMENT MOTOR, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10115622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,053 milesPittsburgh, PA
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, BOTH REAR WHEEL LUGS NUTS CAME OFF THE TIRES, CAUSING THE TIRES TO DETACH FROM VEHICLE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10050206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PROBLEMS WITH THE ATTACK SETUP. MR THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP IN A SAFE WAY. AND THE PROBLEM ONLY OCCURRED WHEN IT WAS TOWING. SCC.
NHTSA complaint #10018224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,000 milesStockton, CA
SUSPENSION
THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PROPERLY ALIGNED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT. TWO TIRES WERE ALSO RUINED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10017409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.