2003 Ford Econoline

○ Not enough data
2003 Ford Econoline
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:21:51.110Z

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Econoline Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1980: 1 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 2 complaints 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 15 complaints 1988: 22 complaints 1989: 32 complaints 1990: 30 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 83 complaints 1993: 65 complaints 1994: 124 complaints 1995: 73 complaints 1995 1996: 81 complaints 1997: 79 complaints 1998: 46 complaints 1999: 84 complaints 2000: 39 complaints 2000 2001: 28 complaints 2002: 23 complaints 2003: 22 complaints 2003 2005: 0 complaints 2006: 0 complaints 2006 2007: 0 complaints 2009: 1 complaints 2010: 1 complaints 2011: 0 complaints 2012: 1 complaints 2012 2013: 0 complaints 2014: 0 complaints 2015: 0 complaints 2016: 3 complaints 2017: 3 complaints 2017 2018: 0 complaints 2019: 1 complaints 2026: 0 complaints 2026
2003: 22 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19801
19810
19821
19832
19847
198510
19867
198715
198822
198932
199030
199124
199283
199365
1994124
199573
199681
199779
199846
199984
200039
200128
200223
200322
20050
20060
20070
20091
20101
20110
20121
20130
20140
20150
20163
20173
20180
20191
20260

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

4 of 22 total reports mention: vehicle speed control.

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, 20120723

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2 of 22 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling.

FIRE INJURY
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, 20060224

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2 of 22 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling.

Show complaint excerpts

NO. 2 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20120508

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 of 22 total reports mention: electrical system.

FIRE
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. *NM

NHTSA ODI report, 20050419

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20030903 — fuel system, gasoline

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 1-800-39

Campaign 03V282000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

R 20080218 — vehicle speed control

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 MERCUR

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.

Campaign 08V051000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Ford Econoline — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (4 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 03V282000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V051000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 1989 ▲ 2000

WORST YEARS

◆ 1994 ● 1992 ● 1999

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 18% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Econoline have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.