2003 Ford F-350 SD engine problems
Owners reported engine problems in 54 complaints for the 2003 Ford F-350 SD, 33% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 54 33% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 30,000 miles 46 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When engine problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 15 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 10 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 6 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 3 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 46 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 30,000 miles, and 67% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 1 fire, 2 injuries.
What owners wrote
Ford motor company put out defective coolants on their 6.0l diesel engines. I have/had 2003 f350 king ranch truck with 67,000 miles. Ford warranties diesel engines to 5 year 100,000. On june 24, 2008, I was driving when my truck overheated. I pulled off the road and called ford north scottsdale. They said that the ejr coolants are not good on those trucks and most likely it gave out. They told me to get it to the nearest dealership.
I purchased this truck in november 2004 with 42,000 miles. It now has 67,000 miles and blown head gaskets. The warranty expired on 28 may 2008 and I did not renew because there were no problems and it has such low mileage. On 24 june 2008 the head gaskets failed while hauling a horse trailer. Ford will not do anything and the cost will be in excess of 4,000 dollars. Evidently, there is a known problem about egr coolers leaking which would have caused the problem.
Other problems reported for the 2003 Ford F-350 SD
- Fuel system 25 complaints
- Electrical system 15 complaints
- Tires 15 complaints