The Used Car Index

2003 Ford F-450 SD problems

NHTSA lists 16 complaints for the 2003 Ford F-450 SD, 0 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 0 complaints mention an injury, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as FORD F-450 SD.

At a glance

Complaints
16
With crash
0
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Recalls
5
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
4,500,000
Investigations
3
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
110

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL637.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING425.0%
SUSPENSION212.5%
TIRES212.5%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC16.3%
STEERING16.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER16.3%
WHEELS16.3%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE2
TIRESTREAD/BELT2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1
STEERINGGEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)1
SUSPENSIONFRONT1
WHEELSLUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

5 recalls.

11V352000

Date: 2011-07-13. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

Defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREME (excerpt)

Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. (excerpt)

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

09V399000

Date: 2009-10-13. Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

Defect: FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEA (excerpt)

Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. (excerpt)

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

07V553000

Date: 2007-12-05. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

07V078000

Date: 2007-03-06. Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

Defect: 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)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

04V327000

Date: 2004-07-07. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES, THE ENGINE GROUND STUD THAT ATTACHES THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL EYELET TO THE ENGINE BLOCK MAY BE LOOSE.

Consequence: IF THE GROUND WIRE IS LOOSE, ELECTRICAL CURRENT MAY FLOW TO THE RADIO SUPPRESSION STRAP CAUSING IT TO HEAT AND POTENTIALLY MELT OR IGNITE ADJACENT COMPONENTS WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE GROUND STUD AND THE RADIO SUPPRESSION STRAP AND ADJACENT COMPONENTS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND REPLACED, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

3 investigations; 0 open.

EA06012

Opened: 2006-06-22. Closed: 2007-12-07.

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

Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Linked campaign numbers: 07V553000.

EA05003

Opened: 2005-02-15. Closed: 2005-11-02.

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.ACCORDI

Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Linked campaign numbers: 05V270000.

EA04006

Opened: 2004-02-23. Closed: 2005-02-10.

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 CONTA

Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

110 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING45
POWER TRAIN24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM20
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE5
EQUIPMENT3
VISIBILITY3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER2

10243490

Date: 2023-09-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

When performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV has replaced all versions of MERCON SP and can be used going forward. Mixing MERCON LV and MERCON SP in the same transmission is acceptable. After 30-Jun-2023, MERCON SP ATF will no longer be manufactured and wi

10189008

Date: 2021-02-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

This SKU is a Transmission Line. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the connector. The transmission line connector may have an incorrect thread size, which will prevent it from being installed.

10171325

Date: 2020-01-13. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

This SKU is a Spare Tire Hoist. Test results identified that the pull force parameter was not within specification, as a precautionary measure unsold inventory was requested to be returned for testing and containment. We don't have evidence that these test results have contributed to a product fai

10171326

Date: 2020-01-13. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

This SKU is a Spare Tire Hoist. Test results identified that the pull force parameter was not within specification, as a precautionary measure unsold inventory was requested to be returned for testing and containment. We don't have evidence that these test results have contributed to a product fai

10165713

Date: 2019-09-02. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Some 2002-2008 F-Super Duty, F-150 and Mark LT vehicles may exhibit concern during or after programing the VSM. The programming may fail or vehicle symptoms such as inoperative door locks, dome lamps, door ajar indicators or auto lamps may occur after successful programing. To ensure the VSM is conf

10056196

Date: 2014-05-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

FORD: WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN PARK, REVERSE AND/OR DURING 2-3 SHIFT, AN INTERMITTENT CLUNK OCCURS WITH A TORQSHIFT TRANSMISSION. MODEL 2003-2014 F-SUPER DUTY, E SERIES, EXCURSION, F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS, LOW CAB FORWARD. *PE

10055629

Date: 2014-02-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN.

FORD: ON SOME TRUCKS, THERE IS A NO CRANK SITUATION AND IF VOLTAGE ON TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR AT PIN 21, IS LESS THAN 5 VOLTS, DISCONNECT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CLUTCH, ELECTRONICALLY, AND RECHECK VOLTAGE. MODEL 2003-2007 F SUPER DUTY, 2004-2010 E SERIES, 2003-2005 EXCURSION.

10055648

Date: 2014-02-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY.

FORD: THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM) WHEN USING VCM II, WOULD HAVE AN ERROR CODE 35 AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) B1035, AND DIFFICULTY ATTEMPTING PROGRAMMABLE MODULE INSTALLATION (PMI). MODEL 2001-2004 F-SUPER DUTY. *PE

10024325

Date: 2008-03-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

6.0L TURBOCHARGER CARBON DEPOSIT DIAGNOSTICS AND SERVICE TIPS. *NJ UPDATED 5/29/08. *NJ

10021281

Date: 2007-12-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

WATER IN THE FUEL TANK BEHIND REAR AXLE - 6.0L, 6.4L AND 7.3L DIESEL ENGINE. *KB UPDATED 2/29/08. *NJ

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
F-450 SD16

Same model, other years

All model years | All Ford models

Other Ford models, 2003

Sources

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