VehicleVerdict

2003 Ford E-150 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 31 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median E-150 year — the 2003 model ranks #14 of 43 E-150 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (5), electrical system (4), and brakes (3), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

31

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other E-150 years?

See all E-150 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Ford E-150 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine516%
Electrical System413%
Transmission310%
Brakes310%
Seat Belts310%
Speed Control310%
Steering26%
Body & Structure26%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)26%
Fuel System26%
Tires & Wheels13%
Airbags13%

Does the 2003 Ford E-150 have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V399000Speed ControlOctober 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

08V051000Speed ControlFebruary 4, 2008 · 225,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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 EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

07V336000Speed ControlAugust 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

06E056000Fuel SystemJune 13, 2006 · 58,640 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

04V444000Electrical SystemSeptember 13, 2004 · 214,849 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VANS, A DIODE IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Consequence

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, AND/OR FIRE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN OR UNATTENDED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUSE IN THE ABS CIRCUIT AND INSTALL A HEAT SHIELD OVER THE ABS MODULE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO FORD IS EXTENDING THE LIMITED WARRANTY (FOR A ONE TIME REPLACEMENT) OF THE ABS MODULE FOR A TOTAL OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF YOUR VEHICLE HAS ALREADY ACCUMULATED MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2005.

04V445000EngineSeptember 13, 2004 · 253,076 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO FORD IS EXTENDING THE LIMITED WARRANTY (FOR A ONE TIME REPLACEMENT) OF THE ABS MODULE FOR A TOTAL OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF YOUR VEHICLE HAS ALREADY ACCUMULATED MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2005.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

2003 E150 CONVERSION VAN GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK 3 TIMES CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TS THE REAR CARGO DOOR WAS REPAIRED, THE FAN CLUTCH WAS REPLACED. THE RUNNING BOARD DID NOT FIT CORRECTLY. AIR CONDITIONER BLOWN WARM AIR. THE EXHAUST WAS BLOWING OUT WHITE SMOKE. THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 1, 1901 · crash

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS WARMING UP IN THE DRIVEWAY CONSUMER'S NEIGHBOR ALERTED HIM THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. THERE WERE NO INJURIES RELATING TO THE FIRE. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE RESULTS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 27, 2004 · fire

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F1-50. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE APRIL 26, 2014. THE VEHICLE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT CURRENT MILLAGE OVER 240,00. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH IN TRAFFICE . THE CONTACT HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. A POLICE REPORT WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · April 26, 2014 · crash

WHILE IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY CONSUMER STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND WENT INSIDE THE HOUSE, VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN, AND DROVE BACKWARDS INTO THE GARAGE, BENDING THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WHICH WAS OPEN. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO CLAIMED THAT HE UNDERSTOOD WHAT HAPPENED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 2, 2004 · crash

PROBLEM: SEVERE SHIMMY IN STEERING WHEEL, POSSIBLY LEADING TO LOSS OF CONTROL. CONDITIONS: OCCURS WHENEVER BRAKES ARE HOT AND VEHICLE SPEED IS ABOVE 45 MPH. PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN DESCENDING LONG & STEEP INCLINES. PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN BRAKES ARE NOT HOT FROM HEAVY USE. TEMPORARY ABATEMENT:…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 15, 2010

2003 Ford E-150 — common questions

Is the 2003 Ford E-150 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 31 complaints put the 2003 model at #14 of 43 E-150 years. It is one of the E-150 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 E-150 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (5 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints), brakes (3 complaints).

Does the 2003 Ford E-150 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Ford E-150. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Ford E-150 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford E-150 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-150 years to avoid are 1994, 1997, 1999, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1998, 1996, 2000, 2001, 1989, 2002, 2004, 2003, 2011. The cleanest record among E-150 years belongs to 2023.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.