Problems · by component

2003 Ford F-150 power train problems

71 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2003 Ford F-150 cite power train, 15% of all 464 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
71
15% of all complaints
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“UNKNOWN - however there were NO warning lights or any other indication of malfunction or to service the truck. I took the truck to an independent service center & they did a full inspection & I did receive an estimate for repairs.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2026Power train, Structure, WheelsODI 11742957
“Ford placed a decal on the rear differential that wraps all the way around the axle. This decal holds water and has caused any area touching the decal to rust excessively. Ford has told me that this will cause they rear differential fail. When this happens it will likely be when I'm driving with my wife and two young kids. The only way to know that this issue exists is to either get under the truck and remove the decal which causes and also covers the damage, or to have the axle give out while driving. This was recently discovered while working on the vehicle. I don't currently have pictures as the vehicle is in for other repairs, but I can get pictures once I get the vehicle back.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 24, 2023Power trainODI 11523634
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEAR AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT THE GEAR FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO PARK THEN NEUTRAL AGAIN FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION AND TURN ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,341.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2020Power trainODI 11365770
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE ENGINE REVVED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MATHEWS FORD NEWARK (500 HEBRON RD, NEWARK, OH 43056, (740) 522-2181) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY UNIT WAS REPLACED BY THE SAME DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,950. *JS *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2018Power trainODI 11089053
“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".”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 19, 2016Suspension, Power train, Electrical system, Seat belts, Structure, Wheels, Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Visibility/wiperODI 10936142
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2016Power train, Structure, EngineFire reportedODI 10875999

Showing 6 of 71 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.