Problems · by component

2003 Ford F-150 electrical system problems

60 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2003 Ford F-150 cite electrical system, 13% of all 464 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
60
13% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
17
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I moved my vehicle from driveway to park on the street so my husband could park in the driveway. I then turned my vehicle off and roughly 2 hours later, a lady came screaming "fire fire fire!" I went to see where she was talking about and my truck was smoking under the hood, I then called the fire department and they came to extinguish the fire. I was unaware of any recalls as I am the 3rd owner of this vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineFire reportedODI 11757698
“The engine continues to shoot out the spark plugs. This is continued to happen with different cylinders. I’ve had it at the mechanic most of the time I’ve owned it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2025Electrical systemODI 11678792
“Our truck has been great but we have a major problem. It is leaking water when it rains. Getting front floor carpet wet and now it is getting the fuse box wet and causing electrical systems to not work. Like today the odometer won't light up. Also dripping from top of windshield. We are having the windshield and seal replaced on Thursday but the glass company says they can't guarantee m of seal will stop the Problem. He said the drain system was factory installed backwards and it's not draining properly.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 17, 2023Electrical system, Unknown or other, Visibility/wiperODI 11550463
“The contact owns a 2003 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off for approximately an hour, they were suddenly informed that their vehicle had caught fire. When the contact arrived at the vehicle the fire department had already arrived and extinguished the fire. There was a police report was filed that stated that the fire was caused by wiring in the engine compartment. There were no injuries or medical assistance. There was damage to a nearby vehicle, fence, tree, and surrounding grounds. The vehicle had been towed and deemed totaled. The contact had later learned of NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V017000 (Vehicle Speed Control) however the vehicle had never been repaired for the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 250,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2023Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11544493
“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 VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO HENSON FORD (581 1-45, MADISONVILLE, TX 77864). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,020.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 26, 2019Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11235166
“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 BELIEVE MY EMERGENCY BAKE AND BRAKE PEDAL, AND AN ONGOING CLICKING SOUND UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. I LEFT MY TRUCK IN DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT, AND THE NEXT MORNING MY BATTERY WAS DEAD. I HAD AAA TOW COME AND REPLACE BATTERY THAT AFTERNOON. THE NEXT MORNING THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. AAA CAME AND CHECKED THE STARTER AND ALTERNATOR, ALL WERE FINE. AS THEY RECHARGED BATTERY THERE WAS A WEIRD NOISE HEARD IN THE ENGINE AREA. I DROVE IT TO A MECHANIC WITH FORD TRUCK EXPERIENCE. HE STATED THE GEM AND FUSE BOX WERE WET AND ATTRIBUTED IT TO WATER LEAKAGE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD WEATHER STRIPPING TRIM WHICH WAS COMMON IN FORDS VEHICLES. HE RECOMMENDED REPLACING GEM, FUSE BOX, AND WINDSHIELD TRIM. THIS WATER/ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAPPENS EVERY YEAR AFTER A RAINSTORM.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 23, 2019Electrical system, Engine, Visibility/wiperODI 11191148

Showing 6 of 60 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.