general problems of the 2003 Ford F-150

Five problems related to steering have been reported for the 2003 Ford F-150. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Ford F-150 based on all problems reported for the 2003 F-150.

1 Steering problem

Failure Date: 03/17/2025

The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel felt very loose and was difficult to turn. The vehicle was restarted. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.

2 Steering problem

Failure Date: 08/19/2016

Drove to our cabin in upper wisconsin and the psf tire the middle of it blow out. It had probable a 4 inch cut from when it blue. The tires are less then a year old with 3,600 miles on them. The tires won't cheap but there junk and this will be the last time I buy good year of any type.

3 Steering problem

Failure Date: 02/12/2014

Driving down highway and exiting onto my exit, the truck started to run rough and eventually shut off. I had to wait about 1hour for the truck to cool off before it would start again. While waiting for the truck to cool off, I changed the fuel filter. Today, 6/3/15, I can start the truck up and let it run for about a half an hour and shut it off and it will not start back. I wait another half an hour and it will start right up. I can't effort to take it to the shop and pay $50 to $100 for them not to be able to tell me what is wrong or how to fix it.

4 Steering problem

Failure Date: 05/12/2012

Vehicle lost all power (in dry climate), including steering, and brakes at approximately 50mph. Came to a stop using the emergency brake. Had two near misses while attempting to come to a stop. Vehicle had to be towed as the ecm (engine control module) was no good. Had prior misfires in engine, which Ford had diagnosed as a bad head valve. After rebuilding the heads, the problem continued (while under use in dry climate). Incident occurred, at which point the vehicle had become disabled. 2nd Ford dealership diagnosed as "electrical problems" which had allegedly caused the vehicle's ecm (engine control module) to short out. No more than 500 miles and/or 3 days after replacement of the ecm and fixing of unspecified "electrical problems" (and in moist climate), vehicle would have periodic misfires which would on occasion be so severe so as to drop all gauges on dash to their "off" positions, but with the engine still running (under stress from supposed misfire which would shake the entire truck). On two later occasions, while idling at a stop light the vehicle would repeat the same condition as with the initial incident, where the vehicle would completely shut-off, with exception that on the repeat occasions, the ecm was still functional and I was able to restart the vehicle. A 3rd Ford dealership was unable to diagnose exact problem but suggested replacement of coils followed by wiring as a possible fix to the misfire. I removed the vehicle to a dry climate and replaced all plugs, coils, and boots for testing. Vehicle successfully functioned under dry, moist, and snowy climates afterwards. Continues in operation and is currently at +/- 155,000 miles.

5 Steering problem

Failure Date: 01/06/2006

The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150. The contact stated that whenever the steering wheel was adjusted, the turn signals and brake lights would fail. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the multi function switch was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 21,184 and the current mileage was 86,000.




Fuel Economy of F-150 Vehicles
F-150 Service Bulletins
F-150 Safety Recalls
F-150 Defect Investigations