2003 Ford E-150 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other E-150 years
- About as many complaints as other years 11th of 24 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford E-150. That ranks 11th out of 24 E-150 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (4 complaints, 19%), typically at around 125,000 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 21owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 Ford E-150 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 | 19% | 125,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 14% | 71,500 | — | — |
| Power Train | 3 | 14% | 11,240 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 14% | 15,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 14% | 16,354 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 14% | 2,519 | — | — |
| Equipment | 2 | 10% | 1,697 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 10% | 70,441 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 10% | 25,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 5% | 125,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 5% | 158,758 | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 5% | 2,519 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 5% | 86,214 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 Ford E-150 recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: 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 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Fix: 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 connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Vehicle speed control:cruise control
Problem: 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 mercury grand marquis, and my 1992-1995 lincoln town car vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired using a wiring harness that is not compatible with the vehicle circuit polarity.
Risk: As a result, the fuse is located in the output circuit rather than in the intended input power feed circuit, and may not offer the intended protection in the event of an electrical short to ground.
Fix: 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.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: 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, smoke, or burn.
Risk: This could result in an underhood fire.
Fix: 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 deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Electrical system:wiring
Problem: On certain vans, a diode in the anti-lock braking system (abs) module may experience an electrical short.
Risk: The electrical short may cause an abs malfunction that would illuminate the abs warning light, or the module may overheat resulting in a burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition may occur while the vehicle is being driven or unattended.
Fix: 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 is extending the limited warranty (for a one time replacement) of the abs module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until september 30, 2005.
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: 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 the air induction system, may allow hot carbon particles to contact the air filter element during certain driving conditions that create hot particles.
Risk: These hot particles may ignite the air filter element with the potential for air induction system damage or underhood fire.
Fix: 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 one time replacement) of the abs module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until september 30, 2005.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Spark plug ejection from cylinder head (DP05005) — opened Sep 22, 2005, closed Jan 4, 2006.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Spark plug blow out x3 it has begain to get very anoing.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford e-150. The contact stated that the cruise control and horn failed to work and the air bag light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
Tl- the contact owns a 2003 ford f1-50. The contact experienced the failure april 26, 2014. The vehicle air bags deployed while sitting in traffic. The contact current millage over 240,00. The contact was driving 5 mph in traffice . The contact hit the vehicle in front of him. A police report was…
I was sitting at a stop sign. When i accelerated to move, i heard a loud bang noise and then i heard a flapping noise. I turned the engine off and called a tow truck. After towing my handicapped van to the ford dealer, i was told that the engine had a spark plug blow out. I was also informed that…
While traveling on the highway, my 2003 e150 ford van blew the #2 spark plug out. There was a popping sound and then the engine sounded as if it blew a rod. After checking it out, it was discovered that it was the spark plug. A few days prior to his event, i could hear a slight tapping sound coming…
Other Ford E-150 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 E-150 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 E-150 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 E-150 | 8 | 1 |
| 2015 E-150 | 8 | 1 |
| 2014 E-150 | 6 | 6 |
| 2013 E-150 | 19 | 6 |
| 2012 E-150 | 12 | 8 |
| 2011 E-150 | 23 | 11 |
| 2010 E-150 | 10 | 7 |
| 2009 E-150 | 7 | 12 |
| 2008 E-150 | 11 | 17 |
| 2007 E-150 | 12 | 18 |
| 2006 E-150 | 17 | 14 |
| 2005 E-150 | 16 | 2 |
| 2004 E-150 | 33 | 5 |
| 2003 | 21 | 5 |
| 2002 E-150 | 28 | 3 |
| 2001 E-150 | 37 | 4 |
| 2000 E-150 | 50 | 6 |
| 1999 E-150 | 83 | 6 |
| 1998 E-150 | 60 | 5 |
| 1997 E-150 | 102 | 6 |
| 1996 E-150 | 59 | 3 |
| 1995 E-150 | 71 | 3 |
See all Ford E-150 problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
Similar Ford models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford E-150?
Owners most often report electrical system, engine and engine cooling, power train problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 4 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Ford E-150?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 Ford E-150 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other E-150 model years, the 2003 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.