MYRModel Year Report

2003 Ford E-350

● Typical for this model
2003 Ford E-350
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:45:55.834Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
46
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

22% of complaints

Complaints per year

1983: 1 complaint 1983 1986: 1 complaint 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1991: 19 complaints 1992: 41 complaints 1992 1993: 43 complaints 1994: 51 complaints 1995: 69 complaints 1996: 50 complaints 1997: 79 complaints 1997 1998: 63 complaints 1999: 72 complaints 2000: 59 complaints 2001: 52 complaints 2002: 53 complaints 2003: 46 complaints 2003 46 2004: 46 complaints 2005: 55 complaints 2006: 53 complaints 2007: 18 complaints 2008: 39 complaints 2009: 9 complaints 2010: 16 complaints 2011: 18 complaints 2012: 16 complaints 2012 2013: 13 complaints 2014: 17 complaints 2015: 7 complaints 2016: 5 complaints 2017: 13 complaints 2017 2018: 3 complaints 2019: 3 complaints 2020: 2 complaints 2021: 22 complaints 2022: 14 complaints 2022 2023: 3 complaints 2024: 2 complaints 2025: 1 complaint 2026: 1 complaint 2027: 0 complaints 2027
1983: 1 complaint 1983 1986: 1 complaint 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1989 1991: 19 complaints 1992: 41 complaints 1993: 43 complaints 1993 1994: 51 complaints 1995: 69 complaints 1996: 50 complaints 1996 1997: 79 complaints 1998: 63 complaints 1999: 72 complaints 1999 2000: 59 complaints 2001: 52 complaints 2002: 53 complaints 2003: 46 complaints 2003 46 2004: 46 complaints 2005: 55 complaints 2006: 53 complaints 2007: 18 complaints 2008: 39 complaints 2008 2009: 9 complaints 2010: 16 complaints 2011: 18 complaints 2011 2012: 16 complaints 2013: 13 complaints 2014: 17 complaints 2014 2015: 7 complaints 2016: 5 complaints 2017: 13 complaints 2017 2018: 3 complaints 2019: 3 complaints 2020: 2 complaints 2020 2021: 22 complaints 2022: 14 complaints 2023: 3 complaints 2023 2024: 2 complaints 2025: 1 complaint 2026: 1 complaint 2026 2027: 0 complaints
1983: 1 complaint 1983 1986: 1 complaint 1988: 1 complaint 1988 1989: 1 complaint 1991: 19 complaints 1991 1992: 41 complaints 1993: 43 complaints 1993 1994: 51 complaints 1995: 69 complaints 1995 1996: 50 complaints 1997: 79 complaints 1997 1998: 63 complaints 1999: 72 complaints 1999 2000: 59 complaints 2001: 52 complaints 2001 2002: 53 complaints 2003: 46 complaints 2003 46 2004: 46 complaints 2005: 55 complaints 2005 2006: 53 complaints 2007: 18 complaints 2007 2008: 39 complaints 2009: 9 complaints 2009 2010: 16 complaints 2011: 18 complaints 2011 2012: 16 complaints 2013: 13 complaints 2013 2014: 17 complaints 2015: 7 complaints 2015 2016: 5 complaints 2017: 13 complaints 2017 2018: 3 complaints 2019: 3 complaints 2019 2020: 2 complaints 2021: 22 complaints 2021 2022: 14 complaints 2023: 3 complaints 2023 2024: 2 complaints 2025: 1 complaint 2025 2026: 1 complaint 2027: 0 complaints 2027

2003: 46 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19831
19861
19881
19891
199119
199241
199343
199451
199569
199650
199779
199863
199972
200059
200152
200253
200346
200446
200555
200653
200718
200839
20099
201016
201118
201216
201313
201417
20157
20165
201713
20183
20193
20202
202122
202214
20233
20242
20251
20261
20270

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

22% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford E-350 pulling a 24-footer auto trailer. While driving 30 MPH and attempting to reduce speed, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The contact used the trailer brakes to stop the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-06

Electrical system

20% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was involved in a crash while driving 15 MPH. The vehicle rear-ended another vehicle, and glanced off the bumper.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-10-12

Fuel system, diesel

17% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing tank assembly.

Show complaint excerpts

Lost power. Filter heavily plugged particulate. Dropped tank. Bottom of tank has 1/2" Silvery flakes. Fuel pick-up screen plugged. Boiled and reinstalled tank. Fuel pump failure about 2 months later. New pump.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-04-18

Engine and engine cooling

13% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The consumer was driving on the highway preparing to exit when there was a loud "Pop" And the engine stalled. The consumer coasted to the side of the road and noticed smoke emitting from under the hood.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-12

Steering

11% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system.

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
  4. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2008-09-26Equipment adaptive/mobility08V478000 Around town is recalling 6 my 2003 Ford E-350 and my 2006 E-250 wheelchair conversion vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements…

    Remedy: Around town is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (Please see 07E095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or around town at 1-678-364-8594.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2009-12-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2010-04-21 HVAC Switch Failures
  10. I
    2010-04-13Engineering analysisClosed 2012-03-05 HVAC Switch Failures

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Ford E-350 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 10 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, diesel: 8 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • 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 08V478000 · Equipment adaptive/mobility
  • Recall 09V399000 · Vehicle speed control
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Ford E-350 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Ford E-350 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford E-350?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford E-350 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.