John Deere 303

1963–196636 HPdieselfarm
B
Average
Score: 58.8/100
Recalls
322
Found
Known Issues
21
5 high severity
Auction Records
8
Avg €23,401
Reliability
B
59/100

Specifications

Engine Power36 HP
Engine (kW)27 kW
Fuel Typediesel
Categoryfarm
Production Years1963–1966

Safety Recalls

322 found
Safety recall — John Deere JD-8R370 (Japanese market, reference 1241810)

Japanese manufacturer safety recall affecting the lighting. Declared production window: 2021–2022.

LightingJP
On certain side-by-side UTVs, the owner's manual is missing information for how a person can contact Transport Canada to report a safety concern.

On certain side-by-side UTVs, the owner's manual is missing information for how a person can contact Transport Canada to report a safety concern. Canadian regulations require all companies to provide this information in the owner's manual.

OtherCA
On certain side-by-side UTVs, the owner's manual is missing information for how a person can contact Transport Canada to report a safety concern.

On certain side-by-side UTVs, the owner's manual is missing information for how a person can contact Transport Canada to report a safety concern. Canadian regulations require all companies to provide this information in the owner's manual.

OtherCA
On certain side-by-side UTVs, the owner's manual is missing information for how a person can contact Transport Canada to report a safety concern.

On certain side-by-side UTVs, the owner's manual is missing information for how a person can contact Transport Canada to report a safety concern. Canadian regulations require all companies to provide this information in the owner's manual.

OtherCA
Safety recall — John Deere JD-7R310 (Japanese market, reference 1241260)

Japanese manufacturer safety recall affecting the electronic control. Declared production window: 2020–2024.

Electronic controlJP
+317 more recalls
Unlock with full report

Known Issues

21 reported
5 high12 low4 medium
Large hydraulic leak on new tractor
high

New 3039 tractor with approximately 30 hours of operation developed a large hydraulic leak. Tractor is under warranty but dealer requires customer to pay for tow and transportation to service center.

hydraulics
Crankcase overpressure after head gasket replacement
high

After head gasket replacement, oil flows out of dipstick hole and excessive crankcase pressure develops. Oil is pushed from timing case toward turbo drain instead of flowing normally. Likely compression leak into oil galleries from head gasket installation error or defective gasket.

engine
PTO won't engage despite dash lights illuminating
high

PTO switch activates dashboard lights but the PTO itself fails to engage. Previously required multiple switch cycles to activate; now completely unresponsive. Switch tested and appears functional.

pto
CA: John Deere Review by Tony from Morgantown, KY (2/5 stars) I’ve had my
high

I’ve had my 3038E a lil over a year. These are my issues. First, the brake sensor broke. Not a big deal. Second, it would overheat every time I mowed the 7acre field. Only took a few min to spray it clean. Third, the hydraulics would start to get more and more slack. Forth, the seat sensor would shut the tractor down at the worst and most dangerous times... And the final last straw is when my rock

engine
Hydraulic system failure
low

Used 3039R tractor purchase included transferable limited basic warranty covering powertrain. At 161 hours use, steering and loader hydraulic systems failed. Dealer quoted $3,763.95, claiming bolt-on parts excluded. Customer repeatedly contacted Deere; received contradictory information about warranty scope and extensions.

hydraulics
+16 more issues
Unlock with full report

Market Value

Average
€23,401
Median
€22,951
Range:€12,000 €37,030
Avg Hours:1,030 hrs
Records:8 sales
Recent Sales
2025 · Ritchie Bros€21,160
57 hours
2017 · Ritchie Bros€37,030
2,203 hours
+6 more sales
Unlock with full report

Hours Benchmark

Class: Compact (040 HP)
Average hours at sale for this model
0Avg: 1,030 hrs6,000
Low use150 /year
Typical300 /year
High use500 /year
Typical lifetime6,000 hours
Expected life15 years

Have a specific John Deere 303 VIN to check?

Model data shows the average — a VIN/PIN lookup pulls the per-unit history (theft, recalls, prior owners, hours).

Found on the chassis plate or registration papers

Unlock Full John Deere 303 Report

Get the complete breakdown: pre-buy checklist, component reliability,322 recalls, 21 known issues, comparable sales, and theft risk analysis.

Full refund within 14 days · Stripe-secured payment

One-time payment · Instant access · Secure checkout