2003 Ford F-150 Electrical System Problems
- 32
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 32 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 9 indicate fire
- 1 indicate a death
What owners report
- spark plugs · 5 records
- caught fire · 4 records
- fire fire · 4 records
- windshield wipers · 4 records
- fire department · 4 records
- ignition coils · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 7 |
| 1–30k mi | 6 |
| 30–60k mi | 5 |
| 100–150k mi | 5 |
| 150–400k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System · Engine · Visibility/Wiper
After a rainstorm and while driving, my windshield wipers stopped working, my radio/cd player started turning off and on, my panel light dimmed, and i heard a clicking noise under my driver side dash board. There was also a clicking noise coming from the engine. While stationary and key out of the ignition, i noticed water on the driver side floor, and when i looked under i could see drops of water sliding off i…
ODI 11191148
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. The contact's sister smelled smoke coming their bedroom window. The contact went outside and noticed that the vehicle caught on fire. The fire started from the driver side. The contact extinguished the fire with their water hose. No police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not totaled however the front hood and passenger side was melted. The…
Fire reported
ODI 11235166
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. While driving various speeds, the wiring harness burned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that there were un-remedied recalls on the vehicle, and the wiring harness failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
ODI 10934749
Body · Electrical System · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train · Seat Belts · Service Brakes · Suspension · Visibility/Wiper · Wheels
Trans went out a month after intake crack had to be replace almost $1,650 together also ball joints and tierod ends no good shock no good brake are falling and rear end is grinding this truck should have never been sold help and there's "more".
ODI 10936142
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 ford f-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and there was an abnormal odor of smoke. The contact stated that suddenly the vehicle engulfed into flames. The fire department was notified and was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The…
Fire reported
ODI 10876774
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Visibility/Wiper
My 2003 f-150 v8, 4.6l 2wd truck received water damage to the gem (generic electronic module) causing the windshield wipers to stop working while driving to work on a foggy/dew morning after a rainstorm. The water damage was due to a leak on the loose windshield that caused water to run directly to the fusebox & gem that controls all electronics in the vehicle. After looking seeking an answer for this problem, i…
ODI 10643313
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. While driving during rainy weather conditions, the instrument panel failed intermittently. In addition, the four wheel drive and the windshield wipers activated independently. The contact stated that the battery needed to be disconnected and then reconnected in order for the vehicle to resume normal operation. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the battery and the keys…
ODI 10673082
Electrical System
The fuse # 29 in the inside cab fuse box has blown twice. The first time is unknown the second time within 10 days of replacing the second fuse. This fuse controls the transmission overdrive, the auto-lamp and belt minder functions of the truck. I have seen on other web pages the same problem we are experiencing. *tr
ODI 10515192
Electrical System · Service Brakes · Steering
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…
ODI 10584567
Electrical System
Was heavy rain outside then my truck started blowing the horn, heater was turning on and off, lights going on and off by them selves. Figured its part of the issue with the windshield issue ford knows about since 2002. The notice was *ford special message #15773 which covered a few vehicles but has expanded to cover other vehicles. Last year, i was on the highway during heavy rain and all the sudden, all power went…
ODI 10458412
Electrical System
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford f150. While the vehicle was parked the contact stated the horn began to blow on its own and black smoke began to escape from the windows. The fire also began near the fuse box. The contact extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher. A fire report was filed. The insurance company had not concluded there investigation regarding the cause of the fire. The vehicle was not repaired.…
Fire reported
ODI 10405770
Electrical System
I have a ford f150 and within the last 4 months i have had 3 ignition coils/spark plugs go up in it. I called ford and they told me it has been a problem and to hold onto my receipts in case there is a recall in the future. While i was at our local ford dealership getting my truck worked on they also told me they have had a lot of fl50s coming in with the same problem do you know if there will be a recall on the…
ODI 10425205
Electrical System
I have a ford f150 and within the last 4 months i have had 3 ignition coils go up in it i called ford and they told me it has been a problem and to hold onto my receipts incase there is a recall in the future while i was at our local ford dealership getting my truck worked on they also told me they have had a lot of fl50s coming in with the same problem do you know if there will be a recall on the f150 ignition…
ODI 10425198
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling · Fuel System, Gasoline
Left dealership after lo-jack installation. Entered traffic lane and began lightly braking for approaching signal. I felt two forward surges and then increasingly rapid acceleration. I checked rear view mirror and then pressed on brakes with the sound of the racing turbo charged engine filling the cab. I then moved the gear out of drive and in my haste saw i had it between reverse and park. I brought it back to…
ODI 10379231
Electrical System
2003 ford f150 burns while driving down highway - total loss - starts in engine. *tr
Fire reported · 1 injury
ODI 10356694
Electrical System · Fuel System, Gasoline
Coming home to va from ohio we were going through the mountains and had to keep flooring the truck. The spark plugs acted like they were fouling and the truck sputtered home. We came home and our mechanic said we blew out or ejected two spark plugs on our triton 4.6l 2003 pick up truck. He said it would have to be repaired by ford and it would probably cost about $900. We found out this is a recurring problem on the…
ODI 10347455
Electrical System · Visibility
Windshield leaks and is frying my electrical system. 2003 f150. I have read numerous articles on ford needing to fix these issues. *tr
ODI 10291622
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
My ford f150 super crew has a recurring problem in that it continuously blows a certain 5 amp fuse. This fuse disables the automatic lights, the automatic door locks and the overdrive system. I took the truck to the local ford dealership. They replaced the fuse and charged me $52.50. They did not fix anything. I found an identical complaint on your website from nov 30, 2008.
ODI 10375873
Electrical System · Windshield
Water leaked into the cab trough the windshield and shorted out the gem module and corroded the fuse box. No leak was evident before the short out of various electrical systems. *tr
ODI 10225949
Electrical System
In april 2008 the battery was dead on the truck. Battery was replaced and truck still would not start. After we were finally able to get the truck started it was taken to the local dealer where it remained for 2-3 weeks. Service department determined that the cluster ($700.00) was bad and replaced it. (we have since been told by other mechanics, if the cluster was bad we would not have been able to start the truck,…
ODI 10246221
Electrical System
Truck speeds-up wide open after cranking and going from park to reverse or drive!! This is the second time i've filed a complaint with nhtsa -the first time was on 5/30/07. Since the last filing my f150 truck has had a "speed-up occasion" three times in aug. '07 and three times in oct. '07 the last time being on oct. 16, '07. Sooner or later these speed ups will cause an accident!! *jb see also odi 10192039 *dsy
ODI 10205846
Electrical System · Unknown Or Other
2003 f150 truck bed caught on fire. *ts *jb the truck burned to the frame. *nm
Fire reported
ODI 10159475
Electrical System · Structure
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. The contact stated that all of the interior lights would continue to illuminate even when the vehicle was shut off. The failure began to recur intermittently. The contact also stated the vehicle would also intermittently stall while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was told there was a leak within the door panels and…
ODI 10396646
Electrical System · Windshield
Dt: the contact stated windshield leaked. As a result of the leak the vehicle suffered electrical damage. The instrument panel malfunctioned. When he took the vehicle for service the mechanic discovered the problem. The windshield was being repaired along with the electrical system. He has been in contact with ford, and they offered no free solution. *ak
ODI 10141632
Electrical System
On 5/5/2005, we purchased a 2003 ford f150 heritage edition 4x4. It had only 10,000 miles on it. On june 5, 2005, just one month after purchase, i returned home from my aunt's house. About 5 minutes later, the truck was on fire. The truck was totaled and released to the insurance company. At the time, we were told 2003 fords were not included in the recall and now they are. *tr
Fire reported
ODI 10228656