2003 Ford E-Series Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Ford E-Series, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine250.0%
- Powertrain (other)125.0%
- Visibility125.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A FORD E350 4X4 VAN 2003. THERE HAS BEEN FUMES ACCUMULATING IN THE VAN WHEN DRIVING. I GET HEADACHES AND MY EYES TEAR AND MY FEEL SICK. I NOTICED THE FUMES INTENSELY ON 1.25.08 WHEN DRIVING HIGHWAY MILES IN COLD WEATHER AT A DISTANCE OF 2.5 HOURS AND 132 MILES ONE WAY AND 264 ROUND TRIP. THE FUMES BUILD UP WHEN DRIVING. I OPEN MY PASSENGER WINDOW WHILE STILL DRIVING AND IT SEEMS LIKE I GET MORE FUMES. IN ADDITION WHEN I PUT ON THE HEATER IT ALSO FILL UP THE VAN. ON 2.1.08 I DID ANOTHER TRIP LIKE THE ONE THAT WAS MENTION ABOVE. MY WIFE AN I EXPERIENCE THE SAME AFFECT WHICH WERE HEADACHES AND NAUSEOUS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD RATTLING SOUND AND STARTED TO LOOSE POWER, EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE JUST SHUT DOWN AND WOULDN'T START AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS BAD. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER SINCE MAY 21, 2007. THE PART HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER SINCE THEN AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WILL BECOME AVAILABLE ON JUNE 26, 2007. NOW AS OF TODAY JUNE 26, 2007, IT WAS PUSHED BACK TO AUGUST 25, 2007, BECAUSE IT'S AN ENGINEER PROBLEM. I AM OUT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE DEALER OR FORD IS NOT ASSISTING ME IN MUCH OF ANYTHING RIGHT NOW!*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
GRINDING NOISE FROM THE REAR END WHILE BACKING OR MAKING LOW SPEED TURNS. PER 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD EXPLORER DUE TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY DOCUMENTED BOTH HERE AND IN ONLINE FORUMS. IT REQUIRES A $1000.00 REPAIR WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THE REPAIR WILL PREVENT THE PROBLEM FROM RECURRING. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPER CAME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .