Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford E-250, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system4
- Steering3
- Tires2
- Service brakes, hydraulic2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Air bags2
- Equipment1
- Unknown or other1
- Wheels1
- Suspension1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 14 2003 E-250 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 4 people died inside them, and 2 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 Ford E-250 failed the safety check 1.15% of the time — 45% less often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 114,931 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN VANS, A DIODE IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
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.
CERTAIN VANS AND WAGONS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION." FOR CERTAIN 2003 E250 VANS BUILT WITH LT225/75R16E TIRES, THE REAR AXLE RATING IS INCORRECTLY LISTED ON THE LABEL. IN ADDITION, THE TIRE PRESSURE IS INCORRECTLY LISTED ON THE LABEL FOR THE REAR TIRES ON CERTAIN 2002 E350 WAGONS AND FOR THE FRONT TIRES ON CERTAIN 2002 E250 VANS BUILT WITH THESE TIRES.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 2003 Ford E-250: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 637767 | SUBJECT REGARDING EARLY WEAR OF THE INNER BRAKE PAD ON THE REAR DISC BRAKES. *TT |
| 10148820 | This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. Excessive friction in the ball joint assembly may cause a perceptible increase in steering effort. |
| 10056196 | FORD: WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN PARK, REVERSE AND/OR DURING 2-3 SHIFT, AN INTERMITTENT CLUNK OCCURS WITH A TORQSHIFT TRANSMISSION. MODEL 2003-2014 F-SUPER DUTY, E SERIES, EXCURSION, F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS, LOW CAB FORWARD. *PE |
| 10022675 | BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM MAY EXHIBIT A BRAKE PEDAL KICKBACK AND/OR GRABBING CONDITION WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. *NJ |
| 10022232 | HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT NEEDED. *KB |
| 10018941 | VIBRATION/HARSHNESS ABOVE 45 MPH (72 KM/H) AFTER TIRE BALANCE. *TT |
| 10018741 | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1131 AND/OR P1151 - 4.2L ENGINE. *TT |
| 10017865 | HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT - CHASSIS CAB INCOMPLETE VEHICLES. *TT |
| 10011181 | LOW POWER AND/OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0299 OR P2263 - TURBOCHARGER DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE TIP. *TT |
| 10010743 | INTERMITTENT CLUNK ON 3-2 DOWNSHIFT DURING COASTDOWN/TIP-IN. OASIS. TO INCLUDE 2005 F-150, E-SERIES AND EXPEDITION. *TT |
| 10010545 | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 04N03. ADDITIONAL WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE. *TT |
| 10007350 | CLUNK FROM FRONT SUSPENSION. *TT |
| 10004072 | A BUMP STEER STEERING FEELING, NOTED WHEN THE VEHICLE'S FRONT WHEELS/TIRES CONTACT ROAD SURFACE IRREGULARITIES. *TT |
| 10002673 | BRAKE DRAG OR FAILURE TO FULLY RELEASE. *TT |
| 10002645 | VEHICLES WITH VACUUM BOOST BRAKES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION OF BRAKE DRAG, HOWEVER DUE TO EQUAL BRAKE DRAG THERE IS NO BRAKE PULL CONDITION. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
HVAC Switch Failures
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation