2003 Ford E-350 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel System, Diesel (7) · Engine (4) · Steering (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford E-350 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
35 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (18)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Steering 2018-04-06 · DOR-X8B9R-11 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2014-05-01 · ASI-44534 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:injectors 2010-06-11 · TSB-10-12-6 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: runs rough, lacks power, hard start, no start. some vehicles and trucks equipped with 6.0l engine may exhibit a runs rough, lacks power, hard to start, no start concern with or without diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0611 code or various injector circuit codes. *pe
Service Brakes, Air 2007-09-19 · 071110 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
brake booster system may exhibit a brake pedal kickback and/or grabbing condition when applying the brakes. *nj
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2006-12-01 · 19527 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
headlight adjustment needed. *kb
Structure:frame And Members 2005-11-14 · 0511 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
cracks in the left or right spring tower flange. *tt spring tower weld repair and replacement procedure. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 18 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-02-12 · Unknown Or Other“to whom it may concern, i recently purchased a 2003 ford econoline e150 vin# [xxx] . from a private party in the state of michigan, im am being refused insurance because the van is coming up as incomplete , the van was sent and finished by elk automotive inc , on [xxx] mpv [xxx] they company that manufactured it ,gave it the same vin # [xxx] w…”
2018-07-06 · Service Brakes · 173,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford e-350 pulling a 24-footer auto trailer. while driving 30 mph and attempting to reduce speed, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. the contact used the trailer brakes to stop the vehicle. there were no warning indicators illuminated. the contact mentioned that the vehicle was repaired per an …”
2017-02-10 · Vehicle Speed Control · 160,200 mi · 💥 crash“i was stopped at a stoplight on a highway ramp in town behind another vehicle waiting for the light to turn green. as i sat waiting, the van suddenly accelerated into the vehicle ahead of me while the brakes were still fully applied! i did not have my foot on the gas pedal, just on the brake. the acceleration was so sudden and fast that my front ti…”
2015-04-13 · Engine · 106,120 mi“spark plugblownout of head. *tr…”
2015-04-13 · Engine · 101,604 mi“spark plug blown out of head. *tr…”
2014-12-08 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“a patient, 21 year old ambulance driver, has been treated here at the university of missouri from 10/27/14 for injuries from an auto accident, sustained when a vehicle pulled out in front of the ambulance she was driving. her air bag deployed, protecting her appropriately. however, there is a metal disc beneath the airbag on the steering column, …”
2013-08-26 · Fuel System, Diesel · 231,121 mi“the ford e-350 van began to loose power then stalled on md route 43. there was no possibility to pull of the road way. the vehicle started after waiting 15 minutes then drove another 2 miles until it stalled again. aaa towed the vehicle and the fuel tank was removed. the fuel tank was found to be delaminating and clogging the fuel lines with si…”
2013-06-03 · Tires · 53,800 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford e-350 equipped with bf goodrich all terrain ko tires, size lt285-75r16, dot pfyuuj11. the contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, the driver rear tire blew out. the vehicle was repaired. the tire failure mileage was 23,000 and the vehicle failure mileage was 53, 8000. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.