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2003 Ford E-250Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 17 owner complaints about the 2003 Ford E-250, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls7Free fix at dealersOwner complaints178 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage50kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 16, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Ford E-250 has problems

17 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 system42
Steering31
Tires20
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Vehicle speed control21
Air bags22
Wheels10
Equipment10
Suspension10

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

7 recalls

2003 Ford E-250 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

Equipment adaptive/mobility

Recall 04V-589 · Dec 15, 2004 · 501 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
–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 →

–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 →

–no report yet

Other: labels

Recall 04V-232 · May 13, 2004 · 28,456 vehicles

Risk. FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION RECOMMENDATION CAN RESULT IN TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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-250 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-250 median. How we score

'75'76'77'78'79'80'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'16'17'22'23
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Ford E-250, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  2. HVAC Switch FailuresEA10003 · closed Mar 5, 2012
    No recall
In owners' words

What E-250 owners report

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM KNOWING IF THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE…
Complaint 10531554 · Jul 24, 2013 · 60,000 miles
LOSS OF INSTRUMENTS IN 2003 F250 DIESEL WITH 50,153 MILES. FUSE REPLACED BY SERVICE CENTER AND INSTRUMENTS CAME ON. 3 DAYS LATER THEY WENT OFF WHILE IN 4 WHEEL LOW AND THE THE ENGINE STOPPED (BATTERY'S DEAD). I HAD NO CONTROL OVER STEERING AND WENT OFF THE ROAD. REPAIR OF DAMAGED WIRING IN STEERING…
Complaint 10413775 · Jul 20, 2011 · 50,103 miles
THE VAN WAS PARKED AN DIT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VAN WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK
Complaint 10109519 · Feb 1, 2005

Own a 2003 E-250?

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