2003 Ford Econoline
Only 22 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 22 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 22
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 2003
Opened by NHTSA
Not enough data
Complaints per year
2003: 22 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 1 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 2 |
| 1984 | 7 |
| 1985 | 10 |
| 1986 | 7 |
| 1987 | 15 |
| 1988 | 22 |
| 1989 | 33 |
| 1990 | 30 |
| 1991 | 24 |
| 1992 | 86 |
| 1993 | 67 |
| 1994 | 132 |
| 1995 | 73 |
| 1996 | 81 |
| 1997 | 79 |
| 1998 | 46 |
| 1999 | 84 |
| 2000 | 39 |
| 2001 | 28 |
| 2002 | 23 |
| 2003 | 22 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2026 | 0 |
Known problem areas
Only 22 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Vehicle speed control
5 of 22 total reports mention: vehicle speed control, most commonly citing cruise control.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle was parked outside the owner's home. Owner was awakened, and to discovered that the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department was notified and extinguished the fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-02-01
Engine and engine cooling
4 of 22 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing engine.
Show complaint excerpts
2003 Econoline made a loud popping sound in the engine compartment, lost power shortly after. Vehicle later caught on fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 2006-02-24
No. 2 spark plug blew out of cylinder head.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-08
Tires
3 of 22 total reports mention: tires.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Econoline equipped with radar radial rlt-9 tires, size P245/75/R16. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the rear driver's tire blew out.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-23
Electrical system
3 of 22 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing wiring.
Show complaint excerpts
2003 Ford econo-line van caught on fire in the engine compartment.*mr the consumer had the ABS recall repaired in dec 2004. The fire seemed to originate in the area of the ABS system/ master brake cylinder.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-04-19
Structure
3 of 22 total reports mention: structure, most commonly citing frame and members and hinge and attachments.
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2003-09-03Fuel system, gasoline03V282000 On certain cutaway chassis cab with the school bus option, two brackets and two outrigger members are missing in the area of the fuel tank.
Remedy: Ford will send technicians to the owner's location to inspect and add the brackets and outriggers as required. Owner notification began on September 3, 2003. Owners should contact Ford at…
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I
2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
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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.
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2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
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2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
Buy-smart checklist
2003 Ford Econoline — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Vehicle speed control: 5 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 4 reports on file for this year.
- Tires: 3 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 03V282000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 08V051000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2003 Ford Econoline 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 Econoline?
- The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Econoline have?
- 4 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.