Ford E-450Model year report

2003 Ford E-450 Problems

Complaints: 18filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 38,270miles, 10 complaints with mileage
Recalls: 4campaigns on record
Trend: RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Ford E-450 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2003 Ford E-450. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 5 complaints (28% of the total), followed by fuel system (3) and tires (3). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 70% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 38,270 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns filed under the same part. Fuel system 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.

Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Vehicle speed control: “Ford safety recall 05s28 - I went to dealer and they deactivated cruise control but they did not have parts to repair - told they would be available nov - called today told national backorder most likely not till march 08 - why the long delay?”

NHTSA complaint #10207920, filed 2007-11, 34,784 miles

Fuel system: “The contact owns a 2003 Ford E-450 diesel box. When driving uphill the vehicle would hesitate and then stall. The dealer replaced the fuel filter, but the failure resurfaced. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the technician concluded that the fuel tank needed de-lamination. The vehicle was still awaiting repairs . The failure and current mileages were under 43,400.”

NHTSA complaint #10293071, filed 2009-11, 43,400 miles

Tires: “I have a jayco motorhome on a Ford e450 chassis, original. Tires michelin 225/75 with load factor e. Max load of the tires is 9880lbs, my actual rear axle weight 9270 (static and motorhome empty with no water, fuel tank 1/3 full) according to michelin that is asking for tire failure ( had 2 already) because the dynamic loads (going down the street, bumps - uphill - downhill- sideloads) will be over the tire limit. That's the reason the law requires pass, cars and light trucks to have a 16% reserve capacity; mine is down to about 2%. …”

NHTSA complaint #10041695, filed 2003-10

Brakes: “I have issues with brakes calipers that pistons are made of Phenolic material, replaced calipers multiple times and will fail in as little as one trip and when using RV in hot weather or too much braking like in the city even if is cold the brakes are constantly locking up to the point where the wheels won't turn, and burn I have to pull over when this happens and wait and hour or two while the brakes are smoking on the side of the road and my wife with a fire extinguisher afraid that the RV was going to burn then I reach inside with a tool to break them loose. …”

NHTSA complaint #11612602, filed 2024-09

Mileage when problems were reported

70% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,000 and 95,000 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (10 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 38,270 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

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.

Recalls and investigations

09V399000Oct 13, 2009
Vehicle speed control
Covers: Ford E-450 1992–2003, E-150 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003 +12 more
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…
07V336000Aug 3, 2007
Vehicle speed control
Covers: Ford E-450 2003, E-150 1992–1993, 1997–2003, E-350 1992–1993, 1997–2003 +18 more
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.
04V444000Sep 13, 2004
Electrical system › Wiring
Covers: Ford E-450 2003–2004, E550 2003–2004, E-350 2003–2004 +2 more
On certain vans, a diode in the anti-lock braking system (abs) module may experience an electrical short.
04V445000Sep 13, 2004
Engine and engine cooling
Covers: Ford E-450 2003–2004, E550 2003–2004, E-350 2003–2004 +2 more
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…

Recall details for the 2003 Ford E-450 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

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. 7 on record; the latest 7 are shown.

10056196May 1, 2014Transmission and drivetrain. Ford: when shifting between park, reverse and/or during 2-3 shift, an intermittent clunk occurs with a torqshift transmission. Model 2003-2014 f-super duty, e series, excursion, f-53 motorhome…
10034571Jun 11, 2010Fuel system. Ford: runs rough, lacks power, hard start, no start. Some vehicles and trucks equipped with 6.0l engine may exhibit a runs rough, lacks power, hard to start, no start concern with or without…
10028284Mar 20, 2009Engine cooling. Ford trucks: misfire, lack of power, buck/jerk, excessive smoke, crank/no start-diagnostics for fuel system. There are several potential causes for these symptoms.
10013298Nov 14, 2005Body and structure. Cracks in the left or right spring tower flange. *tt spring tower weld repair and replacement procedure.
10018941Jan 1, 2005Suspension. Vibration/harshness above 45 mph (72 km/h) after tire balance.
10013320Jan 1, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. Fluid leaking from the vent on the transmission mounted parking brake assembly.
10011181Aug 1, 2004Engine cooling. Low power and/or diagnostic trouble code p0299 or p2263 - turbocharger diagnostic service tip.

Other model years of the Ford E-450

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
2022	13	4,000	3	—	—	—	Not enough data
2021	27	9,508	6	—	—	Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)	Stable
2019	5	111,059	0	—	—	—	Not enough data
2018	5	3,514	4	—	—	—	Not enough data
2017	11	6,000	3	—	—	—	Not enough data
2016	17	7,206	5	—	—	—	Falling
2015	6	50,878	2	—	—	—	Not enough data
2014	5	13,257	3	—	—	—	Not enough data
2013	12	25,900	2	—	—	—	Not enough data
2011	7	33,750	8	—	—	—	Not enough data
2010	5	23,652	6	—	—	—	Not enough data
2008	6	13,926	8	—	—	—	Not enough data
2007	12	30,477	13	—	—	—	Not enough data
2006	20	35,000	13	—	—	—	Falling
2005	34	21,000	8	—	—	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
2004	27	28,010	6	—	—	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
2003	18	38,270	4	—	—	—	Rising
2002	13	38,750	2	—	—	—	Not enough data
2001	16	54,200	2	—	—	—	Falling
2000	42	34,350	3	—	—	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1999	73	34,323	2	—	—	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1998	5	22,008	2	—	—	—	Not enough data
1997	18	54,000	2	—	—	—	Stable

All Ford E-450 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Ford E-450 have?

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2003 Ford E-450 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Ford E-450 is reported most often?

Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 5 complaints (28% of the total), followed by fuel system with 3.

Has the 2003 Ford E-450 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Ford E-450 reported?

Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 38,270 miles and the middle half falls between 20,000 and 95,000 miles; 70% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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.