There are 6 owner-reported speed control & cruise complaints for the 2003 Ford F-250in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Speed control sensor allows brake fluid leak through the plug connector and run down the wiring harness, allowing brake fluid to splash on the exhaust manifold and cause a fire.
ON MARCH 2ND 2015, MY 2003 FORD F-250 CAUGHT FIRE ON IT'S OWN. NO ONE WAS HOME AT THE TIME AND LUCKILY MY NEIGHBORS CALLED 911. THIS TRUCK WAS RECALLED FOR A FAULTY SPEED CONTROL SWITCH. THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS TORCHED. THIS TRUCK IS NOT REPAIRABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 273,000.
FORD'S RECALL POLICY FOR CRUISE SWITCHES ONLY ALLOWS FOR DISCONNECT OF SWITCH. IF THE SWITCH IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID FORD OFFERS NO FIX FOR THIS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM. DEALERS, WHILE NOT HAVING ALL REPAIR PARTS, HAVE SWITCHES THEY CAN INSTALL TO STOP THE LEAK BUT FORD WILL NOT PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. *TR
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE FOR ABOUT 15 HOURS WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A CHECK UP, BUT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME, HOWEVER, IT SEEMED TO BE A SIMILAR PROBLEM TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WITHIN THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH.*AK
2003 FORD F250 WAS IN THE SHOP DUE TO FAILURE TO START AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED****. *MR *TT *NM
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026