2003 Ford F-150 Engine Problems
- 22
- 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 22 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 2 indicate fire
What owners report
- spark plug · 18 records
- plug ejected · 7 records
- heard loud · 4 records
- plug blown · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 10 |
| 150–400k mi | 4 |
| 60–100k mi | 4 |
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
Engine
Requestng ford be made to issue a recall for exhaust manifold holes and cracking issues. This issue is known and the are multiple forums online where people are talking about having this issue. When the manifold leaks, the risk is there that exhaust fumes can get into the driving compartment and asphyxiate the people in the car. It is an expensive repair for an issue for should have resolved long ago.
ODI 11252023
Electronic Stability Control · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. While driving 35 mph, the contact heard an abnormal sound from the engine and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lifters failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The mechanic even signed off for the vehicle to pass state inspection. After retrieving the vehicle, the…
ODI 11045595
Engine
The spark plug ejected from my engine and cylinder head. And apparently this is a common issue with ford truck engines. Seems to me it should be a defect or a recall. That should not happen it could be dangerous. I thought my vehicles engine had exploded. And the cost of this could be outrageous.
ODI 10934056
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
Engine
Was driving along at 35 mph going straight on a city street. A spark plug was ejected from the engine head. This could create a fire hazard.
ODI 10910692
Engine
SPARK PLUG 2ND CLOSEST TO THE PASSENGER BLEW OUT.
ODI 10927079
Body · Engine · Power Train
Vehicle caught on fire while parked in driveway. Had not been run in over a week. Completely burned up and caused damaged home. Vehicle burned had several explosions and burned at a high temp until it was extinguished by fire fighters.
Fire reported
ODI 10875999
Engine
Driving up a hill at highway speed i heard a loud bang and a clunk and the truck started shaking. I was quite startled. I pulled over immediately, shut it off, and found the spark plug had ejected from cylinder number 6. Not being far from home, i attempted to drive it the rest of the way on less busy roads, but i had to pull over again when i started smelling a strong gasoline smell. I was able to disconnect the…
ODI 10837998
Engine
Second time same spark plug housing has failed to hold spark plug and ejected it from engine along with raw fuel almost igniting engine compartment.
ODI 10734656
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
While driving my truck with my wife & son, we heard a loud pop, like a gun shot, then my truck started to run real rough, i found a coil, & a spark plug had been blown out of the engine, because of the fuel build up & the spark from the truck still running we are lucky that the truck did not catch fire.
ODI 10730766
Engine
As we started the truck, we heard a loud pop and then the engine was running rough. I could smell gas burning not in a good way, so we turned off the engine and popped the hood. There was gasoline running under the truck, and gasoline coming from the exhaust. A passerby informed us that the f-150 with triton engine is notorious for blowing spark plugs and proceeded to point out which spark plug had blown. I…
ODI 10700958
Engine
A spark plug blew out, another plug blew out 3 days later. It cost almost $2000 to fix and there is no guarantee that the rest won't blow out. *tr
ODI 10672326
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. While driving at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle made an abnormal noise. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle would not accelerate. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the spark plug detached and needed to be replaced. The…
ODI 10700654
Engine
While driving at 65 - 70 mph on i-95, the spark plug on the #2 cylinder blew out. #2 cylinder is 2nd plug from front of engine on the passenger side. Loud noise and lost power. *tr
ODI 10614523
Engine
My family and i were sitting in a drive through picking up a pizza. Can we went to pull forward and it started looking really bad .. Did some research and felt all the plugs and found that number four plug blew out of the head! It cost us 500 for fix and now another one is starting to go!! *tr
ODI 10592846
Engine
As i was driving home, my engine began making a loud noise & running badly. Upon inspection of the motor, i found the spark plug had blown out of the #3 cylinder, breaking the coil pack in the process. I do not believe this is a normal occurrence. I have checked on-line to see if this has happened to other f-150 owners, and found out it is fairly common. What can be done to get ford to help with this problem? *tr
ODI 10564618
Engine · Service Brakes · Steering
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…
ODI 10723321
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, she heard a loud explosion from under the hood. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis where the technician stated that the spark plug detached from the coil and would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was…
ODI 10520244
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f150. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the spark plug was blown on the number four cylinder. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic, who replaced the spark plugs at a cost to the contact. The failure recurred after the repairs. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where the contact was awaiting a second spark plug replacement.…
ODI 10498217
Engine
Spark plug ejected from the cylinder upon routine vehicle starting. Vehicle was warm when started. Once the spark plug ejected i noticed the smell of gasoline and smoke. A small fire was easily extinguished however could have been severe. *tr
Fire reported
ODI 10471715
Engine
On a return trip from columbus ohio to new orleans la, a spark plug ejected from #3 cylinder, passenger side second from the front. Engine stalled but was able to be restarted. Smell of fuel was very prevalent. No other apparent damage to any other systems on the engine. Plug was the original factory installed plug and had not been touched by any mechanic since the truck was new. Brought to the dealer. After a $700…
ODI 10499991