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2003 Ford E Series problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Ford E Series is engine and cooling. It has fewer complaints than a typical E Series model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
63
Worst area
Engine

The worst 2003 Ford E Series problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Engine
    2
  • Transmission
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    2
  • Transmission
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 2

Engine and engine cooling: engine: dieselReported December 5, 2007 · 1,176,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 7.3l diesel engines, the camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle may function intermittently, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk
In the event of an engine stall, a crash could result without warning.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the sensor and replace it with an improved camshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on december 29, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.

Recall number 07V553000 · Recall details

StructureReported March 7, 2003 · 3,674 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.
Risk
This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began march 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southern comfort at 1‑800‑745‑6096.

Recall number 03V094000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2003 Ford E Series

Defect investigations

Spark plug ejection from cylinder headOpened September 22, 2005, closed January 4, 2006

On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi?s analysis showed, it is possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles.however, odi?s analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences.none of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence.given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect is very low.in view of the foregoing, it is unlikely that the federal safety agency would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition is denied.

DP05005

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Ford E Series 63

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 63 bulletins for the 2003 Ford E Series

What 2003 Ford E Series owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 6, 2015 · 121,000 miles · FL

My vehicle suddenly stopped shut off dead!!!! In the middle of traffic. I managed to restar it and immediately drove it to the closest mechanic shop.I paid $49.95 fee and they scanned the engine. Told me it might have been a loose wire, that they took care of it and go ahead and drive it. "bring it back, if it happens again" easier said than done. Yes it is still happening. I love my car and it is the only transportation I have. I am 69 3/4 years old and drive around with my 92 year old mother. Needless to say I am terrified to drive my vehicle.

Filed Feb 2, 2008 · Engine · 70,000 miles · NM · 2 injuries

I have a ford e350 4x4 van 2003. There has been fumes accumulating in the van when driving. I get headaches and my eyes tear and my feel sick. I noticed the fumes intensely on 1.25.08 when driving highway miles in cold weather at a distance of 2.5 hours and 132 miles one way and 264 round trip. The fumes build up when driving. I open my passenger window while still driving and it seems like I get more fumes. In addition when I put on the heater it also fill up the van. On 2.1.08 I did another trip like the one that was mention above. My wife an I experience the same affect which were headaches and nauseous.

Filed Jun 26, 2007 · Engine · 77,000 miles · VI

While driving the vehicle it started to make a loud rattling sound and started to loose power, eventually the vehicle just shut down and wouldn't start again. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where I was told that the catalytic converter is bad. The vehicle has been at the dealer since may 21, 2007. The part has been on back order since then and I was told that it will become available on june 26, 2007. Now as of today june 26, 2007, it was pushed back to august 25, 2007, because it's an engineer problem. I am out of transportation and the dealer or ford is not assisting me in much of anything right now!

Filed Jan 16, 2007 · Transmission · 47,187 miles · GA

Grinding noise from the rear end while backing or making low speed turns. Per 3 different mechanics, this is a common problem with the ford explorer due to the rear differential. This problem has been repeatedly documented both here and in online forums. It requires a $1000.00 repair with no guarantee that the repair will prevent the problem from recurring.

Filed Oct 22, 2004 · Visibility · CO

While driving in inclement weather windshield wiper came on and off intermittently. Consumer drove vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the windshield wiper motor needed to be replaced.

Compare the 2003 Ford E Series

Other model years

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Questions about the 2003 Ford E Series

Is the 2003 Ford E Series reliable?

Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2003 Ford E Series, fewer than a typical E Series model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Ford E Series?

Engine and cooling, with 2 complaints. Next is transmission (1).

How many recalls does the 2003 Ford E Series have?

2 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling and structure.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Ford E Series engine?

Yes, 1 recall: 07V553000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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