2003 Ford E-350 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 13%of 46 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,100miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Ford E-350, 13% of the 46 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,100 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Have a 2003 Ford E-350 van cng gas conversion. At 97,000 miles a spark plug blew completely out of the cylinder head and broke off the ignition coil that was bolted to the head. The cng gas could have possibly ignited and caused a fire since the fuel was still being sent to that particular cylinder and the spark was still sparking eventhough it was blown out of the hole. I have never heard of this happening before until I researched it after it occurred. This seems to be very common in Ford engines that are 5.4 liter. The repair is around $2500. To pull the engine and repair the head. …”
NHTSA complaint #10359622, filed 2010-10, 97,000 miles“My 2003 Ford E-350 with the 7.3 l diesel quit, with 74,000 + miles. The cause of the problem was a failed cam shaft synchronizer, Ford replacement part f7tz-12k073-a.”
NHTSA complaint #10158483, filed 2006-05, 74,100 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Ford E-350. While driving highway speeds, the contact stated a bolt separated from the engine block. This defect also caused the serpentine belt to fail, which caused the steering wheel and power steering to fail. The dealer and manufacturer denied any assistance with repair to the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 39,895 and the current mileage was 40,395.”
NHTSA complaint #10427566, filed 2011-09, 39,895 miles“The contact stated the vehicle overheated while traveling uphill 35 MPH. It was taken to a service dealer and test driven to recreate the overheating. The dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. An independent service mechanic installed gauges to monitor the engine's heat more closely. The vehicle overheated on 8 occasions, under similar circumstances. The manufacturer was not contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #10164496, filed 2006-08, 59,500 miles“The consumer was driving on the highway preparing to exit when there was a loud pop and the engine stalled. The consumer coasted to the side of the road and noticed smoke emitting from under the hood. When the hood was opened, the vehicle exploded and caused 2nd degree burns to the consumer.”
NHTSA complaint #10019651, filed 2003-05Related recalls
- 04V445000Sep 13, 2004On 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…Covers: Ford E-350 2003–2004, E550 2003–2004, E-450 2003–2004 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 10011181Aug 1, 2004Low power and/or diagnostic trouble code p0299 or p2263 - turbocharger diagnostic service tip.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 8% |
| 2009 | 2 | 20% |
| 2008 | 1 | 3% |
| 2007 | 3 | 17% |
| 2006 | 13 | 25% |
| 2005 | 16 | 29% |
| 2004 | 10 | 22% |
| 2003 | 6 | 13% |
| 2002 | 16 | 30% |
| 2001 | 14 | 27% |
| 2000 | 6 | 10% |
| 1999 | 12 | 17% |
| 1998 | 8 | 13% |
| 1997 | 15 | 19% |
| 1996 | 3 | 6% |
| 1995 | 4 | 6% |
| 1994 | 8 | 16% |
| 1993 | 7 | 16% |
| 1992 | 4 | 10% |
| 1991 | 2 | 11% |
| 1990 | 2 | 9% |
| 1989 | 4 | 15% |
| 1988 | 1 | 9% |
| 1987 | 3 | 21% |
| 1986 | 3 | 27% |
| 1983 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford E-350
11 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford E-350
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology