2003 Ford F-150 acceleration problems

32 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 85,000. 4 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 32
of this car's complaints: 8%
typical mileage: 85,000
crashes: 4
recalls: 2

Which part fails

Accelerator pedal
2
Cables
1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Ford F-150 acceleration problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Ford F-150 acceleration

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Sudden acceleration 9

Related recalls

Vehicle speed controlReported August 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk: This could result in an underhood fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.

Recall number 07V336000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed controlReported March 6, 2007 · 155,584 vehicles affected

What is wrong: On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
Risk: Overheating could result in smoke, burn, or an underhood fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on march 12, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673. (note: also see recalls 05v017, 05v388, and 06v286)

Recall number 07V078000 · Recall details

What 2003 Ford F-150 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 18, 2019 · Acceleration · 314,000 miles · NJ

Gas pedal is sticking. Truck speeds up, only way to stop is shift to neutral.happened on highway and I shifted to neutral and hit pedal several times to get back to idle

Filed Sep 6, 2017 · Acceleration · 218,050 miles · MA

September 05, 2017 3:49pm when approching the cape cod ma bridge, my 20 year old daughters ford f-150 suddenely accerelated when the cruse control was off. She reached speeds exceding 80mph and the brakes where useless. She had to shift out of drive and shut the engine off whille weaving in and out of traffic to regain control. Had she been in any heaver traffic or on the bridge she and maybe others would have been very severly injured!!! This seems to be a well known issue yet ford and my local ford dealer know nothing about it (strange) the recall for this issue just is not for her f-150. When I spoke to both ford and my local dealer. This is a life and death issue. (cricketts from ford)

Filed Aug 30, 2017 · Acceleration · LA

Cpsc:I have a 2003 ford 6 cylinder truck and it has nearly gotten us killed a number of times!I've checked to see if there is a recall and can't find one and I called the ford dealership in covington louisiana and was told that there is nothing they could do. I sent emails to the ford motor company and never get a response. *bf the consumer stated the vehicle would accelerate rapidly and unintentionally. In order to slow the vehicle down the driver had to shift to neutral, which was becoming difficult. The dealer and manufacturer were notified and did not offer any assistance. Updated 08/31/2017

Filed Jun 15, 2017 · Acceleration, Airbags · NM

Horn cruise control not working started when driving down the road in town

Filed Apr 20, 2017 · Acceleration · 130,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. When the accelerator pedal was depressed the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal had not seized. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. 06/01/17updated *lj

Filed May 6, 2016 · Acceleration, Airbags · 143,000 miles · CA · crash · 4 injuries

Pulling into a parking space in front of a medical clinic, going maybe 5 -8 MPH and I had the brake depressed and suddenly the vehicle lunged forward at full throttle and hit a building--you can see the skid mark in the first picture. I ended up hitting a building and when it got stopped the tires just kept spinning until I shut it off. The air bags did not deploy, myself and my grandchildren were hurt. Major building damage as well. Mileage at time this happened 140,000

Filed Feb 25, 2015 · Acceleration, Airbags · 195,000 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated at 50 MPH and caused the contact to lose control. As a result, the contact crashed the vehicle into a median wall and the air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained head and eye injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 195,000.

Filed Sep 2, 2014 · Acceleration · 26,381 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. While attempting to slow the vehicle down, it suddenly accelerated without warning. The contact depressed the brake pedal and was able to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was pending diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,381.

Filed May 12, 2014 · Acceleration · 143,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 143,000.

Filed Nov 2, 2012 · Acceleration · 125,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. The contact stated that while traveling 70 MPH, the accelerator pedal seized causing the vehicle to erroneously accelerate. The contact was able to slow the vehicle down and continued to his destination. The vehicle was not taken for inspection or repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the issue. The failure and current mileages were 125,000.

Questions about the 2003 Ford F-150 acceleration

Does the 2003 Ford F-150 have acceleration problems?

Owners have filed 32 complaints about the acceleration of the 2003 Ford F-150, 8% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Ford F-150 acceleration problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 85,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Ford F-150 acceleration?

Yes, 2 recalls: 07V336000, 07V078000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford F-150 have the most acceleration problems?

The Ford F-150 model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2013 (304 complaints), 1997 (221 complaints) and 2011 (213 complaints).