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Ford E-250Model year report

2003 Ford E-250 Problems

Complaints
17filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
50,103miles, 13 complaints with mileage
Recalls
7campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
14 mpgcombined, 4.2L 6-cyl RWD · 12 city / 16 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Ford E-250 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2003 Ford E-250. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (24% of the total), followed by steering (3) and air bags (2). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 46% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,103 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 9 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign, 1 NHTSA investigation and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Steering complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Loss of instruments in 2003 f250 diesel with 50,153 miles. Fuse replaced by service center and instruments came on. 3 days later they went off while in 4 wheel low and the the engine stopped (battery's dead). I had no control over steering and went off the road. Repair of damaged wiring in steering column fixed problem. This is a well documented problem on the web and known to the service centers I have contacted. If wiring is worn in a 50,000 mile truck I would think it probably will occur in similar models. The truck could have sustained severe damage and possibly resulted in injury. …”

NHTSA complaint #10413775, filed 2011-07, 50,103 miles

Steering: “A Ford 2003 van, with 30,000 miles experiences a steering failure, when the pitman arm broke off the bottom of the steering box. It cleanly sheared off a shaft of metal which is 1 1/4 inches of solid steel. Since the driver was operating at low speed on the ramp of miami international airport, he struck a barrier with minimal sheetmetal damage. The driver reported that the steering wheel was spinning freely in his hands at the time of impact. I reported this to Ford, who's staff determined that the shaft did not fail due to manufacturing defect. …”

NHTSA complaint #10098553, filed 2004-11, 30,427 miles

Air bags: “The contact owns a 2003 Ford e250. While driving 35 MPH in inclement weather conditions, the contact crashed into a lightpole and several trees. The vehicle was completely destroyed and none of the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer and dealer have not been notified. The failure and current mileages were 27,000. Updated 03/04/09. Updated 03/04/09.”

NHTSA complaint #10255999, filed 2009-01, 27,000 miles

Brakes: “The contact owns 2003 Ford E-250. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH, pressure was applied to the brake pedal and it depressed to the floor. The contact engaged the emergency brake in order to stop the vehicle. An independent mechanic examined the vehicle and stated that there was a small pinhole in the brake lines that developed due to corrosion. As a result, brake fluid was leaking from the brake lines. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages was 93,636.”

NHTSA complaint #10419442, filed 2011-08, 93,636 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

46% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,000 and 84,000 miles.

23%0–108%10–2515%25–5023%50–7515%75–1008%100–1508%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (13 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 50,103 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

200442006200920122016
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Ford E-250 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
E250 Econoline 2WD4.2L 6-cyl4-speed automatic121614$4,800
E250 Econoline 2WD4.6L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121714$4,800
E250 Econoline 2WD5.4L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121513$5,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 7 recalls for the 2003 Ford E-250 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 9 on record; the latest 9 are shown.

Other model years of the Ford E-250

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2014759,83011—15—Not enough data
20131140,00011—15—Not enough data
2012853,50012—15—Not enough data
2011627,74616—15—Not enough data
2010981,42711———Not enough data
2008676,00021———Not enough data
2007621,50026———Not enough data
2006125,60029———Not enough data
20051157,3009—15—Not enough data
2004889,50016—15—Not enough data
20031750,1037—14—Stable
20021740,0005—14—Falling
200118120,0003—14—Stable
20001843,5195—14—Stable
19993159,5556—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19981692,3005—13—Stable
19972498,5004—14—Stable
19962094,5003—12—Stable
199515115,0003—12—Stable
19941190,0123—12—Not enough data
19937162,7923—13—Not enough data
19921425,0003—13—Not enough data
19918150,0001—13—Not enough data
1989741,0002—13—Not enough data

All Ford E-250 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Ford E-250 have?

NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2003 Ford E-250 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Ford E-250 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (24% of the total), followed by steering with 3.

Has the 2003 Ford E-250 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Ford E-250 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Ford E-250 (E250 Econoline 2WD, 4.2L 6-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 12 city and 16 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Ford E-250 reported?

Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,103 miles and the middle half falls between 20,000 and 84,000 miles; 46% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.