Ford›F-150›2003›Overview/ford/f-150/2003/base/
150 platform

2003 Ford F-150

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 F-150.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2003 Ford F-150, built on the 150 platform and paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, uses 6.0 quarts of 5W-20 oil and returns EPA fuel economy of 11/15/13 mpg. With only 27 total owner complaints—the most common being engine-related—and no recalls, this model year sits near the low end of the F-150's complaint history from 1990 to 2009, indicating a relatively trouble-free year for researchers.

Model year201120102009200820072006200520042003

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque150 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy11/15/13 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 59 · 540 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 59 · 540 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP275-45R20OEM · verified
Wheel / rim9.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Spark plugAGSF32PM4

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length221.7 in
Overall width79.5 in
Overall height72.4 in
Wheelbase139 in
Curb weight4063 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined11 / 15 / 13 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelNatural Gas

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the F-150 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.0–8.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.96 sec — 2003 Harley-Davidson SuperCrew (5.4 ft. Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2003Harley-Davidson SuperCrew (5.4 ft. Bed) 5.4L Supercharger V85.96 sec14.39 sec340 hpRWD
2003Lariat SuperCab Styleside (6.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V88.20 sec16.30 sec260 hpRWD
2002Lariat SuperCab (6.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V89.30 sec16.70 sec260 hp4x4
2004FX4 SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V88.90 sec16.30 sec300 hp4x4
2004Lariat SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V89.30 sec17.00 sec300 hp4x4
2004Lariat SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V89.90 sec17.40 sec300 hp4x4
2000XLT SuperCab (6.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V88.90 sec16.70 sec260 hp4x4
2007FX4 SuperCab (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V88.80 sec16.70 sec300 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 150 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.5 Pints Rear, 8.8 and 9.7
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.5 Pints Rear, 8.8 and 9.7
Engine CoolantUSE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6-9 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55-64 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts54-64 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)72.0-97.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket157.0-212-0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle72.0-97.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket72.0-97.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts150 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)760 DOHC rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.06 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number59
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 cca
Optional BCI Group Number65 - CANADA OR OPTIONAL

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)30-45
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)35-45
RPM28-45 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)80-120
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure40-125 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2500 rpm

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs / 21-26 ft-lbs
OtherHeavy Duty / Light Duty
Torque to Knuckle136 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.100; Rear: 0.030 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33 ft. lbs., Step 4: 12018 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33 degrees, Step 3: 9018 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees, Step 3: 12033 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30 ft. lbs., Step 3: 9018 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
166 ft. lbs., Step 2: loosen one turn, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9066 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
166 ft. lbs., step 2: Loosen one turn., step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9066 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
1all bolts15 ft. lbs
2all bolts30 ft. lbs
3all bolts37 ft. lbs
1loosen 2-3 turn
2if long bolt33 ft. lbs
3180 degrees; Proceed to next bolt in sequence180 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 181.5 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13 ft. lbs., step 2: 183 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 12037 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18 ft. lbs., Step 3: 30 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90 degrees7.4 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 50,000 miFuel Injector (clean)
Every 60,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Filter (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2003 Ford F-150 sits at a pronounced low in the federal data set, with 462 complaints representing a steep drop from 957 in 2002 and a fraction of the 1,457-to-2,991 range recorded from 1997 through 2001. Recalls remained moderate at 12, yet investigations fell to 3 and technical service bulletins declined to 106, indicating reduced field activity before the sharp 2004 rebound to 2,035 complaints. Reported grievances for the model year centered on engine and fuel-system categories, accompanied by 3 fire complaints and zero crash complaints, though the data does not specify underlying causes. Positioned between the elevated activity of the late 1990s and early 2000s and the subsequent 2004 spike, 2003 emerges as a relative outlier of calm. That marked dip in complaints makes the 2003 model year a comparatively good buy within this sequence.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
65
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
6
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
27
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 3 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’91’92’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 27 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine8
Engine & Engine Cooling4
Fuel System, Diesel3
Equipment1
Service Brakes1
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other1
Wheels1
Steering,Suspension,Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 65 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
ASI-444082014-02-01Equipment Adaptive/MobilityFORD: THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM) WHEN USING VCM II, WOULD HAVE AN ERROR CODE 35…
TSB-10-12-62010-06-11Fuel System, GasolineFORD: RUNS ROUGH, LACKS POWER, HARD START, NO START. SOME VEHICLES AND TRUCKS EQUIPPED…
TSB-09-15-62009-12-09Engine And Engine CoolingFORD: SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 6.0L ENGINE MAY EXPERIENCE A P006A, P132, P0401 OR…
SB-09M022009-08-19EquipmentFORD: CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH AMBULANCE PREP PACKAGE AMBULANCE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT…
SB-09M032009-08-19EquipmentFORD: CERTAIN VEHICLES, E SERIES AND F SUPER DUTY, WITH AMBULANCE PREP PACKAGE AMBULANCE…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific F-150. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 59 batteryVehicles taking 6.0 qt150-platform vehiclesSpark plug AGSF32PM4

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 F-150 take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 F-150 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the F-150 get?

EPA figures are 11 city / 15 highway / 13 combined mpg.