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Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2003 Ford F-450 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2003 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 8
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 16
Latest campaign: Jul 13, 2011

Recall summary by component8

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Vehicle speed control	2	Oct 13, 2009	09V399000 07V078000
Exterior lighting	1	Jul 13, 2011	11V352000
Engine and engine cooling	1	Dec 5, 2007	07V553000
Structure	1	Nov 27, 2007	07V543000
Equipment	1	Aug 28, 2007	07E066000
Equipment adaptive/mobility	1	Mar 16, 2006	06V075000
Electrical system	1	Jul 7, 2004	04V327000

Safety recalls8

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jul 13, 2011Latest campaign


Jul 13, 201111V352000	Exterior lighting: tail lights NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 11V352000 What's wrong 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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE. Risk NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. 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. Filed under F-450 Sd Campaign NHTSA 11V352000 · Jul 13, 2011
Oct 13, 200909V399000	Vehicle speed control A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. DetailsHide details for campaign 09V399000 What's wrong 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 OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN. Risk A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. 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. Filed under F-450 Sd Campaign NHTSA 09V399000 · Oct 13, 2009
Dec 5, 200707V553000	Engine and engine cooling: engine diesel IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING. DetailsHide details for campaign 07V553000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Filed under F-450 Sd Campaign NHTSA 07V553000 · Dec 5, 2007
Nov 27, 200707V543000	Structure: frame and members underbody shields THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE TRACK ROD TO BE INEFFECTIVE IN MAINTAINING LATERAL CONTROL BETWEEN THE AXLE AND FRAME RESULTING IN VEHICLE HANDLING PROBLEMS INCREASING… DetailsHide details for campaign 07V543000 What's wrong ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH REYCO GRANNING MODEL 345P AIR RIDE SUSPENSIONS, THE BRACKET SUPPORTING THE HORIZONTAL TRACK ROD AT THE FRAME ATTACHMENT CAN BECOME LOOSE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK AND BREAK. Risk THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE TRACK ROD TO BE INEFFECTIVE IN MAINTAINING LATERAL CONTROL BETWEEN THE AXLE AND FRAME RESULTING IN VEHICLE HANDLING PROBLEMS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Remedy DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRACKET AND NUT/BOLT HARDWARE. IF THE BOLTS ARE LOOSE OR THE BRACKET HAS CRACKED, THE BOLTS, NUTS, AND BRACKETS WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE BOLTS ARE INSTALLED CORRECTLY AND ARE TIGHT, THEY WILL BE REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH NEW BOLTS AND LOCKTITE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FONTAINE AT 1-704-409-1605. THIS RECALL HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON FORD F450 AND F550 PICKUP TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Filed under F450 Classic Traveler Campaign NHTSA 07V543000 · Nov 27, 2007
Aug 28, 200707E066000	Equipment: electrical IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR. DetailsHide details for campaign 07E066000 What's wrong CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. Risk IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR. Remedy ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS. Filed under F-450 Sd Campaign NHTSA 07E066000 · Aug 28, 2007
Mar 6, 200707V078000	Vehicle speed control OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE, BURN, OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. DetailsHide details for campaign 07V078000 What's wrong ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT. Risk 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) Filed under F-450 Sd Campaign NHTSA 07V078000 · Mar 6, 2007

Merged from NHTSA model names: F-450 Sd, F450 Classic Traveler, F-450. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Ford recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2003 Ford F-450? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component16

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

16Complaints filed

0Involving a crash

0Involving a fire

0Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%
Fuel system	6	38
Diesel	6	38
Engine and engine cooling	4	25
Suspension	2	13
Tires	2	13
Steering	1	6
Service brakes	1	6
Hydraulic	1	6
Wheels	1	6
Unknown or other	1	6

An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Fuel system
“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.”
Filed 05/06/2013 · ODI 10510740
Fuel system
“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.”
Filed 07/20/2010 · ODI 10344315
Suspension
“Truck has no power when first starting and the front end shimmies something terrible. Hard to control. *tr”
Filed 06/03/2010 · ODI 10334371

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2003 Ford F-450 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Ford F-450 have?

NHTSA lists 8 safety recall campaigns for the 2003 Ford F-450. The most recent, 11V352000 (reported July 13, 2011), concerns exterior lighting. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2003 Ford F-450 recalls for?

The largest group is vehicle speed control, with 2 campaigns. Others: exterior lighting (1), engine and engine cooling (1), structure (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Ford F-450?

Fuel system is the most-reported component, named in 6 complaints out of 16 filed with NHTSA (38%). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2003 Ford F-450?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Ford recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Ford dealer.

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