2003 Ford Econoline problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (4) · Tires (2) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Econoline model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
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 2008-05-26 · CSP-48B01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: vehicles mistakenly charged $100 powertrain warranty deductible for fuel injector repair or repairs. no model or model years provided. *pe econoline, excursion and f-series super duty vehicles, model years 2002-2005. updated 10/24/08. *pe csc letter was received. updated 10/27/0
Structure:body:door 2007-09-18 · TSB T2007-03 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
merlin multiplex system when a proer/ground lug is not correctly tightened or becomes loose for any reason; erratic system operation is possible.
Fuel System, Diesel 2005-01-01 · 17467 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
engine or fuel system concerns when using fuel with greater than 5% biodiesel concentration. *tt
Electrical System 2004-09-06 · 04174 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated - system lean diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) - service tips. various models including 2004 f-series. *tt
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2004-09-01 · 17406 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
low power, poor fuel economy, fuel gelling cold, excessive white smoke cold, or hard start. *mj this oasis updates previous oasis dated 12/01/03. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 18 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2016-10-10 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 105,000 mi“fuel tank delamination. this will be the second time i have to replace the fuel tank, sending unit and fuel pump on my e350 diesel van. ford has had known issues for several years regarding this problem and refuses to accept any responsibility. the inside coating of the tank peels away and clogs up the fuel system, then they turn around and sell yo…”
2012-07-23 · Tires · 62,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford econoline equipped with radar radial rlt-9 tires, size p245/75/r16. the contact stated that while driving 10 mph, the rear driver's tire blew out. the condition of the road were dry and the approximate temperature was 90 degrees fahrenheit. the failure recurred and the rear passenger tire blew out. the condition of …”
2012-05-08 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 168,000 mi“no. 2 spark plug blew out of cylinder head. *tr…”
2009-09-15 · Tires · 110,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford econoline e-150. the contact stated that three cooper american prospector 225/70r15 tires on the vehicle have failed. the vehicle began vibrating and the dealer confirmed that the rear driver side tire needed to be replaced. two weeks later, the rear passenger side tire blew out and was replaced. one week after the…”
2009-07-18 · Service Brakes, Electric · 100,969 mi“2003 ford aerostar lx van abs light and brake light on dashboard will come on and stay on one day, and maybe not the next day. going on for months. can't predict when this will occur. the ford dealer offer to take care of the problem for less than a $1000 dollars!?!?!? very generous of them! *tr…”
2008-02-05 · Vehicle Speed Control“tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford econoloine. the contact received a safety recall notice in september of 2007 for the vehicle speed control. the cruise control was disconnected in october. each month since october, the dealer has informed the contact that the parts would be available the following month. there had been no failure to date. the p…”
2008-01-15 · Vehicle Speed Control“i received a recall notice in 9/07 from the ford company concerning my 2003 motorhome. it involved the speed control deactivation switch, which they said was defective. when i contacted a local ford dealer as instructed by the letter, i was told the repair had to wait till the parts arrived in december. when i called the dealer lst week, i was t…”
2007-10-30 · Vehicle Speed Control“tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford econoline. the contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control) in august of 2007. the dealer stated that the part would not be available until march of 2008. the contact felt that the wait time for the repair was unacceptable. there had been no failure to date. the…”
2007-10-04 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage“2003 ford econoline with a recall. customer stated the former owners forwarded the recall notice to them. although he is mad because the parts will not be in until december or the beginning of next year. *kb *tr…”
2007-09-18 · Vehicle Speed Control“2003 econoline speed recall defect i was told to have cruise control disconnected and repair not available until jan. 2008. *jb…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.