2003 Ford F-150 electrical problems

Filed Aug 18, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · ID · fire

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.

Filed Aug 6, 2025 · Electrical · NM

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.

Filed Oct 17, 2023 · Electrical, Visibility · WA

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.

Filed Sep 14, 2023 · Electrical · 250,000 miles · TX · fire

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Jul 26, 2019 · Electrical · 200,020 miles · TX · fire

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.

Filed Mar 23, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 95,000 miles · CA

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. I never thought a vehicle in good condition could have outside water leaks getting inside and onto the fuse box and gem module. The mechanic told me it can become very dangerous for the gem and fuse box to fail because it controls everything in the truck. The gem and fuse box should be protected from outside elements. When water is introduced to these modules, it makes the whole system go wacky and can cause serious and possibly dangerous situations. Ford needs to acknowledge that this is a manufacture defect and fix and/or reimburse us consumers on the cost of fixing it

Filed Dec 19, 2016 · Body, Brakes · AR

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".

Filed Dec 12, 2016 · Electrical · 145,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. While driving various speeds, the wiring harness burned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that there were un-remedied recalls on the vehicle, and the wiring harness failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

Filed Jun 27, 2016 · Electrical · 200,000 miles · RI · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 ford f-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and there was an abnormal odor of smoke. The contact stated that suddenly the vehicle engulfed into flames. The fire department was notified and was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Jan 16, 2015 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. While driving during rainy weather conditions, the instrument panel failed intermittently. In addition, the four wheel drive and the windshield wipers activated independently. The contact stated that the battery needed to be disconnected and then reconnected in order for the vehicle to resume normal operation. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the battery and the keys were replaced, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.