2003 Ford E-250
Only 17 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 17 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 17
- Recalls
- 7
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 2003
Opened by NHTSA
Not enough data
Complaints per year
2003: 17 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1992 | 14 |
| 1993 | 7 |
| 1994 | 11 |
| 1995 | 15 |
| 1996 | 20 |
| 1997 | 24 |
| 1998 | 16 |
| 1999 | 31 |
| 2000 | 18 |
| 2001 | 18 |
| 2002 | 17 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 11 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 |
Known problem areas
Only 17 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Electrical system
7 of 17 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing wiring and 12v/24v/48v battery.
Show complaint excerpts
The van was parked an dit caught on fire. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire. No injuries reported. The van was towed and totaled by the insurance company.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-02-01
While the vehicle was parked in the driveway it caughton fire. Electrical/ABS system's was the defective. Manufacturer urged consumer to file a complaint. Recall 04V444000.
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-09-20
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford E-250. The contact stated that the engine temperature gauge failed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the instrument panel would need to be replaced.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-07-24
Steering
3 of 17 total reports mention: steering, most commonly citing arm and electric power assist system.
Show complaint excerpts
A Ford 2003 VAN, with 30,000 miles experiences a steering failure, when the pitman arm broke off the bottom of the steering box.
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-11-09
Vehicle speed control
2 of 17 total reports mention: vehicle speed control.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Ford E-250. The contact stated that upon starting, the vehicle surged in reverse and crashed into a building. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an independent repair shop. The failure was not diagnosed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-09
Tires
2 of 17 total reports mention: tires.
Show complaint excerpts
Tire brand and size: pathfinder sport s a/t 245/75-16 put on rear of 2003 Ford E250 extended length work van. Bought new from discount tire. As soon as I got on the interstate I noticed the vehicle felt unstable. Was wandering in rear.
NHTSA ODI report, 2016-09-16
Service brakes
2 of 17 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.
Safety timeline
7 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
R
2004-07-08Equipment04V232000 Certain vans and wagons fail to conform to the requirements of part 567, "Certification." For certain 2003 E250 vans built with LT225/75R16E tires, the rear axle rating is incorrectly listed on…
Remedy: Owners will be provided with supplementary tire labels containing correct information and installation instructions. If an owner so desires, their dealer can install the label for them. The recall…
-
R
2004-09-27Engine and engine cooling04V445000 On certain vans, the air filter element material process resulted in an air filter paper element that can smolder or burn. This change in filter paper composition combined with the configuration of…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the air filter element. The recall began September 27, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also Ford is extending the limited warranty (For a…
-
R
2004-10-15Electrical system04V444000 On certain vans, a diode in the anti-lock braking system (ABS) module may experience an electrical short.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new fuse in the ABS circuit and install a heat shield over the ABS module. The recall began on October 15, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also Ford…
-
I
2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
-
R
2006-08-04Fuel system, gasoline06E056000 Certain aftermarket fuel filters sold under the purolator brand name, p/n F65277, shipped from January 16 through June 2, 2006, for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Due to incorrect…
Remedy: Ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2006. Owners may contact ufi filters USA at 800-230-5876.
-
R
2007-08-13Vehicle speed control07V336000 On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat…
Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control…
-
R
2008-02-18Vehicle speed control08V051000 Ford is recalling 225,000 my 1992-2003 Econoline, my 1993-1995 Taurus SHO, my 1992-1998 Crown Victoria, my 1993 Bronco, F-Series, my 1995-1997 F-Series super duty stripped chassis, my 1992-1998…
Remedy: Dealers will install a new wiring harness, or replace the mating electrical component. The recall began on February 18, 2008. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
-
R
2009-10-27Vehicle speed control09V399000 Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 Windstar, 2000-2003 Excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 F-250 SD through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 E-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 Explorer, 1997 and…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module…
-
I
2010-04-13Engineering analysisClosed 2012-03-05 HVAC Switch Failures
Buy-smart checklist
2003 Ford E-250 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 7 reports on file for this year.
- Steering: 3 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 2 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 04V232000 · Equipment
- Recall 04V445000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 04V444000 · Electrical system
- Recall 06E056000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 07V336000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 08V051000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 09V399000 · Vehicle speed control
FAQ
- Is the 2003 Ford E-250 reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford E-250?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 Ford E-250 have?
- 7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.