FordF-2502003Overview/ford/f-250/2003/base/
250 platform

2003 Ford F-250

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 F-250.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2003 Ford F-250 rides on the 250 platform with a 6.0-quart oil capacity specifying 5W-20 API viscosity, paired with an automatic four-speed transmission and EPA ratings of 11/15/13 mpg. With only 27 owner complaints recorded—zero of which triggered recalls—and engine issues cited as the primary concern, this model year represents a relatively quiet entry in the truck’s reliability history. Positioned within the 1990-2011 range that spanned from a low of four complaints to a peak of 594 in 1999, the 2003 figure sits well below the generational high-water mark, indicating markedly fewer reported problems than the line’s most troubled periods.

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 torque150-165 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 65 DIESEL · 750 DIESEL 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 65 DIESEL · 750 DIESEL CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLT235-85R16EOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length256.3 in
Overall width79.9 in
Overall height77.2 in
Wheelbase172 in
Curb weight6038 lb
Track (front / rear)68.5 / 68.5 in
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-250 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.70 sec — 2003 Super Duty King Ranch 6.0L Crew Cab (6.9 ft. Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2003Super Duty King Ranch 6.0L Crew Cab (6.9 ft. Bed) 6.0L Turbo Diesel V89.70 sec17.30 sec325 hp4x4
2004Super Duty Harley-Davidson 6.0L Crew Cab (6.9 ft. Bed) 6.0L Turbo Diesel V88.50 sec16.20 sec325 hp4x4
1999Super Duty XLT Regular Cab 2-door 6.8L V-107.90 sec16.10 sec310 hp4x4
1999Super Duty XLT SuperCab 4-door 6.8L V109.60 sec17.40 sec275 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 · 75W-90 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 150-165 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9. 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 · 75W-90 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity6.9 Pints Rear, Ford Axles
Engine CoolantUSE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6-9 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts212 DI Diesel ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55-64 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts89 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts28 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)185.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket185.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle185.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket185.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts150-165 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)150 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeOil must meet ford specification WSHM1C231B
Standard BCI Group Number65 DIESEL
Standard BCI Cranking Performance750 DIESEL cca
Standard BCI Group Number65 DIESEL
Standard BCI Cranking Performance750 DIESEL cca
Standard BCI Group Number65

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)35-45
RPM28-45 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)80-120
Engine Oil Pressure20-45 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1500 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure40-75 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2000 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure40-70 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket42 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle166 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket42 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle166 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket27 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle150 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 specification
Rotor Runout Limit0.0021 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5033 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
132 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10532 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
152-53 ft. lbs., Step 2: 8052–53 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
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt · threads and flanges with engine oil

1finger tight
2bolts 1 to 1065 ft. lbs
3bolts 1, 3, 5, 7, 985 ft. lbs
4bolts 1-1090 degrees
5bolts 1-1090 degrees
6bolts 1-1090 degrees
7bolts 11 to 1518 ft. lbs
823
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep First Sequence

165 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
285 ft. lbs.; Second Sequence85 ft. lbs
395
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
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 694 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
190 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120 ft. lbs., Step 3: 17090 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
176 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9676 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 miAir Filter Restriction Gauge (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miPCV Valve (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission 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-250 sits at the bottom of a long declining complaint arc that began with the 1999 model year's peak of 594 complaints and 19 recalls, falling steadily to just 116 complaints by 2003 — the lowest count in the entire generation up to that point. Recalls held flat at seven, matching 2002 and 2004, while TSBs ticked up modestly from 33 to 44, suggesting Ford had largely stabilized the platform after the early-generation turbulence. The year immediately following (2004) saw complaints climb back to 153 and TSBs nearly double to 72, indicating 2003 captured a brief window of relative calm before issues began resurfacing. The top complaint areas — Engine (8), Engine & Engine Cooling (4), and Fuel System, Diesel (3) — are consistent with the diesel-heavy reputation of this platform, though the federal data does not specify root causes for any of these categories. Notably, three fire complaints were recorded with zero crash complaints, but the data provides no further detail on those incidents. On balance, the 2003 model year represents the statistical low point of the generation's complaint curve, making it one of the more favorable years to purchase within this F-250 generation — provided a pre-purchase inspection addresses the engine and fuel-system areas that dominate its complaint profile.

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

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-250. 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 F-250 take?

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

Does the 2003 F-250 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-250 get?

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