RoadVitals

2003 Ford Econoline Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
22
Latest Oct 10, 2016
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jun 5, 2003

What this page shows

Our database holds 22 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Ford Econoline. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–22 of 22

Fuel system
Filed Oct 10, 2016

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 YOU THE SAME TANK SO IT HAPPENS AGAIN. VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER AND WILL EVEN STALL.

NHTSA ID
10915055
Incident
Oct 6, 2016
Mileage
105,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 23, 2012

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 THE ROAD WAS AGAIN DRY AND THE APPROXIMATE TEMPERATURE WAS 80 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE TIRES WERE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES ON THE VEHICLE WAS 62,000. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES ON THE TIRES WERE 6,000.

NHTSA ID
10467067
Incident
Jul 18, 2012
Mileage
62,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 8, 2012

NO. 2 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10457740
Incident
May 8, 2012
Mileage
168,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 15, 2009

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 REAR TIRE BLEW OUT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BLEW OUT AND WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL OF THOSE TIRES MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OR FREE REPAIR AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ID
10284034
Incident
Aug 27, 2009
Mileage
110,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 18, 2009

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

NHTSA ID
10277254
Incident
Jul 12, 2007
Mileage
100,969 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 5, 2008

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 PURCHASE DATE AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 03-18-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL NUMBER IS 05S28. UPDATED 03/18/08 *TR

NHTSA ID
10216955
Incident
Sep 1, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 15, 2008

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 TOLD THE PARTS WOULDN'T ARRIVE UNTIL AT LEAST FEBRUARY. I CALLED THE FORD TOLL-FREE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. WHY ARE THEY DRAGGING THEIR FEET ON THIS? WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG TO GET THE PARTS? *TR

NHTSA ID
10214895
Incident
Sep 7, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 30, 2007

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 CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ID
10207437
Incident
Aug 1, 2007
Fuel system
Filed Oct 4, 2007

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

NHTSA ID
10205032
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 18, 2007

2003 ECONOLINE SPEED RECALL DEFECT I WAS TOLD TO HAVE CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECTED AND REPAIR NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL JAN. 2008. *JB

NHTSA ID
10203330
Incident
Sep 18, 2007
Engine
Filed Jul 20, 2007

WE HAVE A 2003 FORD ECONOLINE VAN THAT EJECTED IT'S FIRST SPARK PLUG THIS SPRING COSTING US TOWING AND $500.00+ IN REPAIRS. WEDNESDAY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THIS TIME ON THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY. WE WERE FORCED TO STAND IN A 10 FOOT PIECE OF GRASS BETWEEN 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND A ROCK CLIFF WITH 4 SMALL CHILDREN. AFTER WE MANAGED TO GET 7 PEOPLE PACKED INTO A TOW TRUCK AND GET TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP, WE HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR 3 DAYS AND PAY FOR YET ANOTHER REPAIR. I INVESTIGATED AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A RECURRING DEFECT IN THIS TYPE OF FORD ENGINES. I CALLED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO REPAIR THE ACTUAL ENGINE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT MY VAN IS NOW FIXED, SO TECHNICALLY IT IS FINE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THERE IS ONLY A 50% CHANCE THAT THE PROBLEM MAY OCCUR AGAIN AND IF IT DOES I SHOULD CALL BACK. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT RECOURSE THERE IS FOR SOMEONE WHO JUST DOESN'T WANT TO DRIVE AROUND WITH THEIR CHILDREN IN A KNOWN TIME BOMB! *TR

NHTSA ID
10197049
Incident
Jul 18, 2007
Electrical
Filed Jul 10, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ECONOLINE. THE ABS WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL # 04V444000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING), BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE, HOWEVER, THE ABS IS BURNED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 97,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,195. UPDATED 08/14/07. *JB

NHTSA ID
10196023
Incident
Jun 20, 2007
Mileage
93,195 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 24, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WAS SLIPPING ON ICE OR SLUDGE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE FORWARD MOTION, SOMETIMES THE SAME SENSATION WAS FELT WHEN STARTING TO MAKE A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FIVE TIMES, AGREED THE PROBLEMS WERE PRESENT HOWEVER, THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS SHOWED EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL.

NHTSA ID
10166436
Incident
Aug 24, 2006
Mileage
30,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 21, 2006

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT A DEALER CALLED MONTGOMARY FORD SOLD THREE 15 PASSENGER VANS TO A PUBLIC SCHOOL CALLED HARMONY COMMUNITY SCHOOL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10160321
Incident
Jun 15, 2004
Mileage
10,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 16, 2006
Fire reported1 injury reported

2003 ECONOLINE MADE A LOUD POPPING SOUND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER. VEHICLE LATER CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** AFTER THE NOISE WAS HEARD THE DRIVER PULLED TO VEHICLE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THAT'S WHEN THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE DRIVER AND FIREMEN WERE INJURED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A RECALL WAS RECEIVED IN OCTOBER 2004. THE RECALL REFERENCED SAFETY RECALL 04S22 AND 04S23. *NM

NHTSA ID
10151899
Incident
May 1, 2003
BrakesElectricalOther / unspecified+2 more
Filed Aug 26, 2005

2003 FORD ECONOLINE DEFECTIVE PART REPAIRS.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE EIGHTH TIME TO REPAIR THE ALARM. THE ALARM STILL WASN'T FIXED. THE TIRES AND/OR RIMS ARE DEFECTIVE. THE BRAKES, SHOCKS AND A/C FAILED. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER. *NM

NHTSA ID
10135614
Incident
Aug 1, 2005
Mileage
35,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 12, 2005
Fire reported

2003 FORD ECONO-LINE VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD THE ABS RECALL REPAIRED IN DEC 2004. THE FIRE SEEMED TO ORIGINATE IN THE AREA OF THE ABS SYSTEM/ MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER. *NM

NHTSA ID
10117856
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 8, 2005
Fire reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE THE OWNER'S HOME. OWNER WAS AWAKENED, AND TO DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS AN ECONOLINE VAN MODIFIED FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. *AK *TC

NHTSA ID
10109487
Incident
Nov 23, 2004
Mileage
10,158 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 10, 2005

VEHICLE CONSTANTLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10111307
Incident
Dec 15, 2004
Mileage
4,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 4, 2005

MANUFACTURER'S RECALL GM04S22 WAS ISSUED FOR THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THE DEALER CONTINUED TO STATE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR THREE MONTHS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10106703
Incident
Oct 12, 2004
Mileage
7,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 20, 2003

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FRONT CAB OF VEHICLE BEEN REDISIGNED. ALSO THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS REDISIGNED IT DID NOT ALLOW CONSUMER TO SEE A BILND SPOT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10024608
Body & structure
Filed Jun 5, 2003

THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ENTIRE DOOR ON THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED INCORRECTLY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10022447

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.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .