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2003 Ford F-250 SD transmission problems

20 complaints (11% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 50,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
20
of this car's complaints
11%
typical mileage
50,000
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    12
  • Driveline
    1
  • Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
    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-250 SD transmission problems in other years

1995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Ford F-250 SD transmission

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

Hesitation 5

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2003 Ford F-250 SD owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 25, 2012 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f250 sd. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the clutch failed. Upon further inspection the contact noticed that the plastic bushing had failed and the rod was detached from the clutch. The contact went to the dealer, purchased a new bushing and repaired the vehicle himself. The recent failure was the second clutch failure on the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileages were 58,000. Updated 10/24/12 *cn updated 11/9/2012

Filed Nov 28, 2011 · Body, Transmission · 88,000 miles · MD

Vehicle has 7.3 liter diesel engine and the ford 4r100 automatic transmission and 4 wheel drive. Transmission failed at about 88,000 miles despite proper servicing since new. It would intermittently stop shifting in normal use and began to slip badly. Only second gear was still working when I got it to the dealer the next day. The transmission was replaced at my expense ($3500+). The replacement transmission failed in a similar way at about 135,000 miles despite being serviced as required by the dealer. They are unable to obtain a valve body for this troublesome assembly and it has been at the dealer for nearly two weeks. This model of transmission is defective and dangerous especially if you are towing and lose engine braking due to the transmission failing. Ford no longer uses this transmission as it has a high failure rate. The body has rusted through at one of the cab corners and over both rear wheel wells. Ford repaired the rust through once under warranty but the rust throughs continue and have a negative effect on the integrity of the vehicle structure and protection of it's occupants in the event of a crash. A rusted body would not protect occupants as well as an an unrusted one.

Filed Sep 20, 2011 · Electrical, Transmission · 160,000 miles · KS

Truck began blowing fuse #45, resulting in a loss of instruments and no throttle activation available. Seems to occur most often when turning left, and/or when shifting from park or reverse into drive, or drive into reverse or park. Has resulted in a loss of power in all of the above situations, with the engine only idling. If this occurs while heading uphill, vehicle will not move. Internet search reveals this seems to be a fairly common problem, and is due to insulation being rubbed off part of the wiring harness that runs through the steering column. Same research indicates ford changed the routing of the wiring harness in late 2003. I believe this situation should be repaired free of charge by ford.

Filed Oct 21, 2010 · Transmission · 103,906 miles · CO

Transmission cooler supply line (metal tubing not hose element) developed a leak due to long term contact with the engine support frame crossmember. Long term contact resulted in a .25 inch wide x .5 inch long flat area worn into tube wall with a pin hole size penetration thru the tube wall. Fluid pressure inside the tube in combination with the pin hole size penetration resulted in a spraying leak from the tube which coated the undercarriage of the truck and the trailer that was in tow at the time of failure. The braking surfaces on all four wheels of the truck were coated with transmission fluid. The low volumetric flowrate of the leak allowed for continued operation of the vehicle for several hours (at night on fairly level terrain) without any indication of the ongoing leakage. This allowed for the undercarriage of the vehicle including the braking surfaces to be coated with fluid. The leakage was identified when the transmission temperature gauge indicated hot while transitioning teton pass from jackson wyoming. Inspection of the tubing installation revealed that the direct cause of the leakage was the afore mentioned long term contact with the engine support frame crossmember. The root cause of the issue is either design tolerance for the tubing installation or incorrect installation of the tubing at original assembly. The clamping provision designed into the tubing installation (attached to the side of the engine block adjacent to the oil pan) in combination with the insufficient length of the tubing section crossing over the engine support frame crossmember resulted in preloaded contact between the tube and the forward edge of the crossmember. At the time of the failure no replacement parts were available so the damaged section of the tubing was removed and replaced with high pressure hydraulic hose. The removed section of tubing was retained and is available for inspection. The truck remains in the temporary repaired condition at this time.

Filed Sep 24, 2010 · Transmission · 82,349 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f250 sd. The contact stated that the vehicle was shut off with the shifter in park when the vehicle slipped out of park and independently began to roll away backward. The contact attempted to enter the vehicle to stop it but was knocked to the ground. The contact sustained injuries to the right shoulder and elbow. The driver side door was opened when the failure occurred and crashed into the gas pump. The vehicle was taken to a body repair facility where the body damages were repaired. The contact stated that the failure occurred twice. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for the failure. The failure mileage was 82,349 and the current mileage was 82,360.

Filed Sep 3, 2009 · Engine, Transmission · 72,000 miles · CA

I have a 2003 ford f250 with 73k miles on it, and I too am another victim of a spark plug blowing out of my 4th cylinder on the passenger side of my truck. Why is ford not doing anything about this. As much as we pay for these cars and trucks, you would think they would make things right. No wonder u.s. Auto makers are failing. Just more corporate greed.

Filed Apr 6, 2009 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · CA

Ford f250 super duty 6.0l diesel; 130,000 miles high pressure oil pump goes out. All fuel injectors need replacing, high pressure fuel regulator disintegrates. At 99,000 the turbo had a leak, we had to have the truck towed to ford dealer. This truck should not need these repairs this soon, something is wrong. Dad was a diesel mechanic, this is very faulty equipment. Truck has had all regular maintenance. Truck just loses power suddenly.

Filed Oct 29, 2008 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · KY

2003 ford f-250 (only 50,000 miles) had major transmission failure. Housing cracked and there is no way to repair. Only option is to install new transmission.

Filed Jan 4, 2006 · Transmission · 32,000 miles · PA

2003 f-250 sd 4x4 cc 5.4 l gas auto transmission. When the truck is started it lurches forward. This has been happening for over a year now. Fords response is that this is normal. That is unacceptable. I have never had this happen with any other vehicle. This problem happens even though it is an automatic and is in park. It happens in both cold weather as well as warm.

Filed Aug 22, 2005 · Engine, Transmission · 31,000 miles · MO

Dt: a shift cable broke on june 5, 2005. Contacted the dealer, they fixed it. Had several issues with the truck but this one was the bad one. The dealer gave no idication why it broke. Also, they had to pull out the motor because of an oil leak. Took the vehicle to dealer again because an emergcey light came on. Spoke with the service manager all he could say was that it happened to a couple of them.

Questions about the 2003 Ford F-250 SD transmission

Does the 2003 Ford F-250 SD have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 20 complaints about the transmission of the 2003 Ford F-250 SD, 11% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Ford F-250 SD transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 50,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Ford F-250 SD transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Ford F-250 SD have bad transmission?

The Ford F-250 SD model years with the most transmission complaints are 2020 (77 complaints), 2019 (46 complaints) and 2001 (45 complaints).

Other 2003 Ford F-250 SD problems

Engine 74Fuel system 24Tires 18Steering 15Electrical 14Brakes 12Acceleration 10Suspension 10Body 4Lights 2Driver assistance 1Seats 1Visibility 1Wheels 1

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