The 2003 Ford F-150 has 5 recalls, the most serious being corroded fuel tank straps that can fail and allow the tank to drop to the ground or cause fuel lines to separate, creating a significant fire risk.
Two other recalls also carry serious consequences. The cruise control deactivation switch can overheat in trucks equipped with speed control, producing smoke or an underhood fire. On the steering side, a retaining nut connecting the pitman arm to the steering gearbox may not have been tightened to spec at the factory, and if it works loose over time, the steering wheel develops a vague, disconnected feel and may produce noise, reducing the driver's ability to control the truck accurately.
The remaining two recalls both involve aftermarket headlight assemblies sold as replacement parts for this truck. One brand of replacement headlamps does not meet federal lighting output requirements, meaning they may not illuminate the road as well as a driver expects, reducing visibility at night. A second brand of aftermarket headlamps is missing the amber side reflex reflectors on the outer edges, which makes the truck harder for other drivers to see from the side, particularly at intersections or when parked on a roadway.
