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2003 Ford E-150Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 21 owner complaints about the 2003 Ford E-150, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

2003 Ford E-150
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints216 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage125kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 14, 2016. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser at English Wikipedia, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Ford E-150 has problems

21 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system41
Vehicle speed control31
Engine and engine cooling31
Power train31
Seat belts31
Service brakes, hydraulic30
Steering20
Equipment21
Fuel system, gasoline22
4 other systems41

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

2003 Ford E-150 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control: cruise control

Recall 08V-051 · Feb 4, 2008 · 225,000 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Electrical system: wiring

Recall 04V-444 · Sep 13, 2004 · 214,849 vehicles

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,…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 04V-445 · Sep 13, 2004 · 253,076 vehicles

Risk. THESE HOT PARTICLES MAY IGNITE THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM DAMAGE OR UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other E-150 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the E-150 median. How we score

'76'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'21'23
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Ford E-150, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
In owners' words

What E-150 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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.
Complaint 10825171 · Feb 9, 2016 · 125,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10390447 · Mar 16, 2011 · 138,628 miles
2003 FOCUS- MY IGNITION KEPT LOCKING ON ME. ANYWHERE I TURNED OFF THE CAR, I HAD TO SPEND A GOOD 15MIN TURNING AND TURNING THE KEY TO GET IT STARTED. MY CAR HAS ONLY 32,000.00 MILES AND IT STARTED AT 18,000.00 MILES. TODAY I HAD TO GET A LOCKSMITH TO COME IN AND FIX IT. *TR
Complaint 10266539 · Apr 23, 2009

Own a 2003 E-150?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.