2003 Ford Econoline Problems
- Complaints
- 22filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 48,500miles, 12 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Ford Econoline (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2003 Ford Econoline. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 5 complaints (23% of the total), followed by engine cooling (4) and brakes (3). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 48,500 miles. Of all complaints, 3 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 5 technical service bulletins for this model year. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Engine cooling 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.
- Engine cooling4 18%
- Brakes3 14%
- Electrical system3 14%
- Body and structure3 14%
- Tires3 14%
- Fuel system2 9.1%
- Equipment1 4.5%
- Suspension1 4.5%
Also reported: Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Vehicle speed control: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10109487, filed 2005-03, 10,158 milesEngine cooling: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10111307, filed 2005-02, 4,000 milesBrakes: “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!”
NHTSA complaint #10277254, filed 2009-07, 100,969 milesElectrical system: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10196023, filed 2007-07, 93,195 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,158 and 100,969 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Ford Econoline. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Econoline · sedan | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Recalls and investigations
- 08V051000Feb 4, 2008Vehicle speed control › Cruise controlCovers: Ford Econoline 1992–2003, E-150 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003 +10 more
Ford is recalling 225,000 my 1992-2003 econoline, my 1993-1995 taurus sho, my 1992-1998 crown victoria, my 1993 bronco, f-series, my 1995-1997 f-series super duty stripped chassis, my 1992-1998 mercury grand marquis, and my 1992-1995 lincoln town car…
- 03V282000Aug 5, 2003Fuel system, gasoline › StorageCovers: Ford Econoline 2001–2003
On certain cutaway chassis cab with the school bus option, two brackets and two outrigger members are missing in the area of the fuel tank.
Recall details for the 2003 Ford Econoline → · 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. 5 on record; the latest 5 are shown.
- 10148820Apr 6, 2018Steering. This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly…
- 10026321May 26, 2008Transmission and drivetrain, Engine cooling. Ford: vehicles mistakenly charged $100 powertrain warranty deductible for fuel injector repair or repairs. No model or model years provided. *pe econoline, excursion and f-series super duty…
- 10096433Sep 18, 2007Body and structure, Equipment. Merlin multiplex system when a proer/ground lug is not correctly tightened or becomes loose for any reason; erratic system operation is possible.
- 10013116Sep 6, 2004Electrical system. Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated - system lean diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) - service tips. Various models including 2004 f-series.
- 10013077Oct 1, 2002Equipment. Various 2003 vehicles equipped with premium cd-6 radios - cd-6 shuffle feature between discs not available.
Other model years of the Ford Econoline
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 22 | 48,500 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 23 | 97,258 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 28 | 86,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 39 | 50,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 84 | 75,794 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 46 | 79,500 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 79 | 89,400 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 81 | 98,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 73 | 45,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 124 | 118,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1993 | 65 | 103,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1992 | 83 | 115,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 24 | 52,867 | 3 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 30 | 44,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 32 | — | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 22 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 15 | 110,000 | 4 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 7 | — | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 10 | — | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 7 | — | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford Econoline model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Ford Econoline have?
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2003 Ford Econoline as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Ford Econoline is reported most often?
Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 5 complaints (23% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 4.
Has the 2003 Ford Econoline been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 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 Econoline reported?
Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 48,500 miles and the middle half falls between 10,158 and 100,969 miles; 50% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
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.