2003 Ford F-150 Electrical System

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.

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 NHTSA 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

THE FUSE # 29 IN THE INSIDE CAB FUSE BOX HAS BLOWN TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IS UNKNOWN THE SECOND TIME WITHIN 10 DAYS OF REPLACING THE SECOND FUSE. THIS FUSE CONTROLS THE TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE, THE AUTO-LAMP AND BELT MINDER FUNCTIONS OF THE TRUCK. I HAVE SEEN ON OTHER WEB PAGES THE SAME PROBLEM WE ARE EXPERIENCING. *TR

WAS HEAVY RAIN OUTSIDE THEN MY TRUCK STARTED BLOWING THE HORN, HEATER WAS TURNING ON AND OFF, LIGHTS GOING ON AND OFF BY THEM SELVES. FIGURED ITS PART OF THE ISSUE WITH THE WINDSHIELD ISSUE FORD KNOWS ABOUT SINCE 2002. THE NOTICE WAS *FORD SPECIAL MESSAGE #15773 WHICH COVERED A FEW VEHICLES BUT HAS EXPANDED TO COVER OTHER VEHICLES. LAST YEAR, I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DURING HEAVY RAIN AND ALL THE SUDDEN, ALL POWER WENT OFF, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING, RADIO WAS GOING FUNNY, HEAT WAS TURNING ON AND OFF, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THAT ONLY LASTED FOR A FEW SECONDS BUT MADE IT WHERE I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY, MADE IT BACK TO MY HOUSE THEN BROUGHT IT TO FORD TO FIND OUT THE ISSUE. I OPTED NOT TO HAVE THE WORK DONE AT THAT TIME FOR THE MECHANIC SAID ITS OKAY FOR THE TIME BEING. BUT CORROSION WAS STARTING AND I NEEDED TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD FIXED BEFORE THE ISSUE AT HAND COULD BE FIXED, BECAUSE IF I DIDN'T, IT JUST WOULD CAUSE THE ISSUES A FEW YEARS DOWN THE ROAD AGAIN. LOOKING THROUGH, I SEE YOU HAVE A LOT OF "ELECTRICAL ISSUES" BEING BROUGHT UP, AND ALL OF THEM FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN LOOK TO BE CAUSED BY THE SAME ISSUE, MIND YOU THAT THIS ISSUE IS KNOWN FROM VEHICLES 1998 - 2003, POSSIBLY INTO THE 2004. *JS

I HAVE A FORD F150 AND WITHIN THE LAST 4 MONTHS I HAVE HAD 3 IGNITION COILS GO UP IN IT I CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AND TO HOLD ONTO MY RECEIPTS INCASE THERE IS A RECALL IN THE FUTURE WHILE I WAS AT OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP GETTING MY TRUCK WORKED ON THEY ALSO TOLD ME THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF FL50S COMING IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM DO YOU KNOW IF THERE WILL BE A RECALL ON THE F150 IGNITION COILS ? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

I HAVE A FORD F150 AND WITHIN THE LAST 4 MONTHS I HAVE HAD 3 IGNITION COILS/SPARK PLUGS GO UP IN IT. I CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AND TO HOLD ONTO MY RECEIPTS IN CASE THERE IS A RECALL IN THE FUTURE. WHILE I WAS AT OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP GETTING MY TRUCK WORKED ON THEY ALSO TOLD ME THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF FL50S COMING IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM DO YOU KNOW IF THERE WILL BE A RECALL ON THE F150 IGNITION COILS/SPARK PLUGS ? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN BEGAN TO BLOW ON ITS OWN AND BLACK SMOKE BEGAN TO ESCAPE FROM THE WINDOWS. THE FIRE ALSO BEGAN NEAR THE FUSE BOX. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD NOT CONCLUDED THERE INVESTIGATION REGARDING THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

2003 FORD F150 BURNS WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY - TOTAL LOSS - STARTS IN ENGINE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE DASHBOARD CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT HEARD A SIZZLING NOISE EVERY TIME THE INDICATOR WAS USED. SHE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A CUP OF TEA AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,000.

MY 2003 FORD F150 TRUCK HAS A RECURRING PROBLEM IN THAT IT CONTINUOUSLY BLOWS A CERTAIN 5 AMP FUSE. I WAS TOLD BY A TECHNICIAN AT THE FORD AUTHORIZED SERVICE WHERE I HAVE MY SERVICE WORK DONE THAT HE HAS SEEN ABOUT 10 OF THESE CASES. THE PROBLEM IS A COWL LEAK THAT ALLOWS WATER ON AN ELECTRONIC MODULE LOCATED UNDER THE DASH. THE FUSE WILL BLOW PREDICTABLY 2 TO 3 DAYS AFTER A RAIN OR WASH. THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCES ARE: 1. THE BLOWN FUSE DISABLES THE FEATURE THAT AUTOMATICALLY TURNS ON THE HEADLIGHTS & TAILLIGHTS THEREBY BECOMING AN ACCIDENT RISK PARTICULARLY WHEN THE DRIVER HAS BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO THE AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF THE LIGHTS; 2. THE BLOWN FUSE DISABLES THE FEATURE THAT AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS ALL OF THE VEHICLES DOORS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE THEREBY EXPOSING THE OCCUPANTS TO CARJACKING AND OTHER PERSONAL DANGERS; 3. THE BLOWN FUSE DISABLES THE PUSHBUTTON CONTROL FOR SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO AND OUT OF OVERDRIVE WHICH COULD POSE A HAZARD IN SNOW AND ICE CONDITIONS OR DRIVING IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. BASED ON THESE INDISPUTABLE SAFETY HAZARDS THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS CONDITION AND REPAIR/REPLACE AS NECESSARY TO ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF THESE HAZARDS. *TR

IN APRIL 2008 THE BATTERY WAS DEAD ON THE TRUCK. BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND TRUCK STILL WOULD NOT START. AFTER WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK STARTED IT WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT REMAINED FOR 2-3 WEEKS. SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE CLUSTER ($700.00) WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT. (WE HAVE SINCE BEEN TOLD BY OTHER MECHANICS, IF THE CLUSTER WAS BAD WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO START THE TRUCK, SO WHY WAS IT REPLACED.) THE TRUCK WAS BROUGHT BACK HOME AND THE NEXT TIME IT RAINED THE BATTERY WAS AGAIN DEAD. AGAIN TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS TIME THEY DETERMINED THAT IT WAS LEAKING AROUND THE WINDOW GASKET ($100) AND REPLACED THIS. 2 MONTHS LATER ANOTHER RAIN AND AGAIN A DEAD VEHICLE. TRUCK WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT REMAINED ANOTHER 2 WEEKS. AFTER SEVERAL PHONE CALLS AND COMPLAINTS IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND NEEDED TO CALL THE MAIN TECHNICIANS. WE STILL HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND KEEP IT IN THE GARAGE. TRUCK CAN'T BE DRIVEN IF THERE IS ANY HINT OF RAIN BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO END UP STRANDED. WE LIVE IN A SMALL COMMUNITY AND THIS IS THE SECOND TRUCK, SAME MODEL AND YEAR, THAT WE KNOW OF IN OUR AREA THAT IS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS SOME ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN THESE VEHICLES AS IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE LIMITED TO A FEW. THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 37, 000 MILES ON IT AND IS A COMPLETE WASTE TO HAVE UNLESS WE LIVED IN THE DESERT. I THINK ALL FORD OWNERS NEED TO BAN TOGETHER AND SUE FORD FOR AGGRAVATION AND NON FUNCTIONAL VEHICLES. NEVER AGAIN WILL I WASTE MY TIME BUYING A FORD VEHICLE. *TR

ON 5/5/2005, WE PURCHASED A 2003 FORD F150 HERITAGE EDITION 4X4. IT HAD ONLY 10,000 MILES ON IT. ON JUNE 5, 2005, JUST ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, I RETURNED HOME FROM MY AUNT'S HOUSE. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED AND RELEASED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. AT THE TIME, WE WERE TOLD 2003 FORDS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND NOW THEY ARE. *TR

I PURCHASED MY 2003 FORD FOCUS IN 2005 AND EVER SINCE THE IGNITION SWITCH GETS STUCK BUT IT HAS GOT STUCK OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS . *CN

ON MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR FUSES REPEATED BLOW AND ALSO THE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH EVERY TIME YOU HIT A BUMP ALL THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS COME ON AND SOME TIMES THEY JUST FLICKER OFF AND ON FOR NO REASON. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WIRING IN MY VAN AND I HAVE HEARD THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS TO BE LOOKED INTO. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F150. THE INTERIOR TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AND THE EXTERIOR TURN SIGNALS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHORTAGE IN THE WIRES. UPDATED 11/14/07

TRUCK SPEEDS-UP WIDE OPEN AFTER CRANKING AND GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE!! THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I'VE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA -THE FIRST TIME WAS ON 5/30/07. SINCE THE LAST FILING MY F150 TRUCK HAS HAD A "SPEED-UP OCCASION" THREE TIMES IN AUG. '07 AND THREE TIMES IN OCT. '07 THE LAST TIME BEING ON OCT. 16, '07. SOONER OR LATER THESE SPEED UPS WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT!! *JB SEE ALSO ODI 10192039 *DSY

MY VEHICLE IS A 2003 F150 XL. I AWOKE THIS MORNING TO FIND THE CAB OF MY TRUCK FULL OF SMOKE AND THE SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC. I NOTICED A TRAIL OF SMOKE ORIGINATING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I IMMEDIATELY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND REMOVED THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. I FOUND EXPOSED WIRING AND MELTED COMPONENTS LEADING INTO THE HIGH-BEAM SELECTOR LEVER. *NM

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXCURSION DIESEL TURBO 6.0 ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 5 TIMES SINCE THE ABOVE DATE FOR A/C PROBLEMS & SHUTTING OFF ON ME. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERIES ON 4 OCCASIONS IN THE PAST 7 MONTHS. THEY HAVE FOUND ONE SHORT IN FEBRUARY & AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERIES AGAIN IN APRIL 2007 THE VEHICLE DIED ON ME. WHILE I AM DRIVING THE LIGHTS TURN OFF & I LOSE POWER. THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND & CORRECT THE PROBLEM & I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I HAVE TO PICK UP MY 4 CHILDREN AND FEEL I AM PUTTING THEM AT RISK FOR AN ACCIDENT.*AK

MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER IS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY OTHER FIRE VICTIMS: CRUISE CONTROL TOTALLY INOPERATIVE, PERSISTENT ABS ALERTS, "LOW OIL PRESSURE" ALERTS (SOMETIMES JUST DAYS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE), AND STEERING ISSUES. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IS PROVIDING SERVICE AT MY EXPENSE BUT PRETENDED THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, AND READING TESTIMONIES FROM OTHER FIRE VICTIMS, I AM TERRIFIED. IN MY SUBDIVISION, HOUSES STAND ONLY A FEW FEET APART...THE HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION PROHIBITS ANY PARKING ON THE STREET. THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER MODELS SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY.

DT: ON 7-9-05 THE CONTACT'S SON WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY. HE WAS DRIVING A 2003 FORD F-150. HE HIT A GUARD RAIL AND WENT INTO A DITCH ABOUT 100 YARDS AND HIT AN OVERPASS SIGN POST MADE OF CEMENT. THE TRUCK BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CORONER SAID THAT THE FIRE CAUSED THE DEATH OF THE CONTACT'S SON. SHE SAID THAT HE DID NOT HAVE A BROKEN BONE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. WERE NOTIFIED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DID NOT HAVE AN INVESTIGATION AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT REPORTED THAT SHE DID NOT KNOW IF HER SON HAD ANY PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUCK PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED.*AK

ON 2/11/05, MY 2003 FORD F150 CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER IT WAS PARKED MY JOB-SITE FOR TWO HOURS, AND THE FIRE ALSO DESTROIED A SIENNA VAN PARKED NEARBY.*AK