The 2003 Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup from United States. Below are the specifications, open safety recalls and NHTSA data available for this specific model year. Decode a 2003 F-150 VIN to see the exact trim, engine and equipment for one particular vehicle.
Value calculator
Move the slider: the estimate applies the observed one-year depreciation rate for this model line (20%/year) to the value you enter. It updates instantly, right here.
Estimated value
$0
Buy window: across this model line, the yearly price drop visibly flattens around 11 years of age — the observed point where each extra year of ownership costs the least in depreciation.
Source: Craigslist U.S. used listings (2020-2021 snapshot) + Car Features & MSRP dataset. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and the snapshot was taken in 2020–2021 — pair the estimate with live listings for your area before pricing a car.
Overview
The Ford F-150 is America's best-selling vehicle for decades, offering a wide range of engines, capable towing and an aluminum body.
Specifications at a glance
Basic build info
Model year
2003
Make
Ford
Model
F-150
Body
Full-Size Pickup
Country of origin
United States
Available engines (model line)
Engine
3.3L V6
Engine
2.7L EcoBoost V6
Engine
3.5L EcoBoost V6
Engine
5.0L V8
Engine
3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid
Model-year-exact trim, engine and equipment vary by VIN. Decode the specific VIN above to confirm.
NHTSA safety ratings
—
Overall
—
Frontal
—
Side
★★☆☆☆
Rollover
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Real-world pricing & specs — 2003 Ford F-150
Used-market medians (U.S. listings)
U.S. used-market listings for the 2003 F-150 (Craigslist, 2020–2021 snapshot) cluster around a median asking price of $4,500 at roughly 149,055 miles, based on 157 listings. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and values have moved since the snapshot — pair with live listings for your area.
Used median price
$4,500
Median mileage
149,055
Sample: 157 listings
Median of real U.S. Craigslist asking prices for this model year; asking prices skew above negotiated sale prices. Snapshot taken 2020-2021.
Median used price by state — 2003 F-150
States with the most listings for this model year (Craigslist 2020–2021 snapshot; only states with enough listings to quote):
Source: Craigslist used listings (2020–2021 snapshot). Regional variation reflects local supply and demand, not vehicle condition.
NHTSA safety recalls — 2003 Ford F-150
11
open recall campaigns on file with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Repairs are free at any authorized Ford dealer (within 10 years of first sale). See all recalls →
Defect description: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD DEICING CHEMICALS MAY CAUSE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH SECURE THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE.
Consequence: AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY FAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL LINES TO SEPARATE FROM THE TANK, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSING THE TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND. EITHER SCENARIO MAY RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD.
Corrective action: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS REPLACED WITH STRAPS THAT HAVE INCREASED CORROSION PROTECTION. EARLY IN THIS CAMPAIGN, IF REPLACEMENT STRAPS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, DEALERS MAY INSTALL A CABLE SUPPORT UNDER THE STRAP AS AN INTERIM REPAIR OR A STEEL REINFORCEMENT OVER THE EXISTING STRAP AS A PERMANENT REPAIR. ANY REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332. FORD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 11S21
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Campaign: 08E050000 · Filed: 11/08/2008
Defect description: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Corrective action: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Campaign: 06E056000 · Filed: 13/06/2006
Defect description: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Consequence: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Corrective action: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Campaign: 06E067000 · Filed: 01/08/2006
Defect description: CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 331-1129L-ASN AND 331-1129R-ASN, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Corrective action: MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Campaign: 09E012000 · Filed: 07/04/2009
Defect description: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Corrective action: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Source: NHTSA Recalls API. Snapshot last checked: October 19, 2026. Recall status changes — verify by VIN for any vehicle you own or plan to buy.
Common problems to check on this generation
EcoBoost cam-phaser rattle
10-speed transmission harsh shifts
Early-model turbo condensation
Applies to the model line as a whole; the 2003 model year may have specific TSBs, always verify by VIN.
Owner-reported problems — 2003 F-150
464
owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Complaints are self-reported by owners and are separate from formal recalls.
Most-reported problem areas:
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — 57 reports
POWER TRAIN — 56 reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — 37 reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING — 12/30/2010
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.
STEERING,POWER TRAIN — 12/29/2004
WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL IN THE RAIN, THE REAR WHEELS SUDDENLY LOCKED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A FAILURE WITH THE RACK AND PINION AND THE DRIVE SHAFT. RECENTLY, THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
PARKING BRAKE — 12/28/2006
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE JERKS AS IF THE ABS ENGAGES AND RELEASES CONTINUOUSLY THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE BROKE COMPLETE OFF, CABLE AND COVERING. AFTER REPLACING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE I STEPPED ON EMERGENCY BRAKE WHEN I PARKED, HEARD A POP AND LATER WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE REAR LEFT WHEEL WOULD GRAB MAKING A GRINDING SOUND AND SLOWING THE VEHICLE. WAS ABLE TO GET TO A GARAGE WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PADS HAD BROKEN O
Ask a specific question about this year and model. Our editors review every submission and publish answers with sources on this page — typical response time is 2-5 business days.
Related guides for 2003 Ford F-150 owners & buyers
The 2003 F-150 is a Full-Size Pickup. Decode a specific VIN above for the exact trim, engine, transmission and factory options for one particular vehicle.
Are there recalls on the 2003 F-150?
Yes — 11 recalls on record. Repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
Is the 2003 Ford F-150 reliable?
A capable, widely supported truck; reliability varies by engine and model year.
Values vary by trim, mileage, condition and region. Check Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds and NADA/J.D. Power for a range, see our guide comparing them — and pair with 5–10 local listings for your exact year and mileage.
What common problems should I watch for on a 2003 F-150?
Segment-wide issues like brake and suspension wear are the norm at this age; model-specific issues vary by generation. Review the "common problems" section above, check NHTSA complaints and TSBs for the specific year, and get an independent inspection focused on those areas.
Sources on this page:NHTSA vPIC (specifications),
NHTSA Recalls,
NHTSA NCAP (safety),
EPA FuelEconomy.gov (MPG),
NHTSA Complaints, SAE J2012 (OBD-II standard). VinSpecs is an independent service, not affiliated with Ford or any government agency.
