Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford e-550. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v270000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 43,000.
The worst 2003 Ford E550 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine20
- Tires9
- Transmission9
- Electrical8
- Fuel system8
- Airbags6
- Visibility5
- Brakes3
- Seat belts2
- Steering2
- Suspension2
- Acceleration1
- Body1
- Lights1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Ford E550
Recalls 4
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- 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 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
- Risk
- A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.
Recall number 09V399000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
- Risk
- Overheating could result in smoke, burn, or an underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on march 12, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673. (note: also see recalls 05v017, 05v388, and 06v286)
Recall number 07V078000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- On certain vans, a diode in the anti-lock braking system (ABS) module may experience an electrical short.
- Risk
- The electrical short may cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, or the module may overheat resulting in a burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition may occur while the vehicle is being driven or unattended.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new fuse in the ABS circuit and install a heat shield over the ABS module. The recall began on october 15, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673. Also ford is extending the limited warranty (for a one time replacement) of the ABS module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until september 30, 2005.
Recall number 04V444000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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 contact the air filter element during certain driving conditions that create hot particles.
- Risk
- These hot particles may ignite the air filter element with the potential for air induction system damage or underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the air filter element. The recall began september 27, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673. Also ford is extending the limited warranty (for a one time replacement) of the ABS module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until september 30, 2005.
Recall number 04V445000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Ford E550 5
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Ford: when shifting between park, reverse and/or during 2-3 shift, an intermittent clunk occurs with a...
- Vibration/harshness above 45 mph (72 km/h) after tire balance. tt
- Customer satisfaction program 04N03. additional warranty coverage for anti-lock brake system module. tt
- Intermittent clunk on 3-2 downshift during coastdown/tip-in. oasis. to include 2005 F-150, e-series and...
- Low power and/or diagnostic trouble code P0299 or P2263 - turbocharger diagnostic service tip. tt
What 2003 Ford E550 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
In reference to our 2003 ford f-550 diesel dump truck. The first documented occurrence the problem of loss of power while on the road and running was back in 2005. The problem was finally properly diagnosed on 9/13/07 by mccafferty ford. The problem was that the lining of the fuel tank was flaking away and clogging the fuel lines, fuel pump and filter. Ford's reason for this happening was that 5% or more of biodiesel was used in the tank. After much research we have found that just about all of our fuel purchased for this vehicle was manufactured by either exxon or sunoco. We have been able to obtain statements from both exxon and sunoco that determine undeniably that there is no chance any biodiesel was purchased from them. Beyond those statements, sunoco has offered to not only test the fuel we saved from the tank, but will also run tests on every station we purchased from and go to their board and attorneys on our behalf with this issue. Mccafferty ford has also shown their support of us, just in order to keep us happy as their customer, has credited us back half of the repair costs. These tanks are obviously faulty for some reason other than the use of biodiesel in them. Customer care specialist in the escalated department told us that mccafferty ford stated that there was proof of the fact that there was 5% or more of bio diesel used and that was the sole basis of ford?s denial. No one at mccafferty made that statement to anyone. Nor is there any proof of such. And, mccafferty stated that they have addressed this same issue with ford 6 or 7 times prior to our issue and that ford has been ?very uncooperative?. We can substantiate the fact that no biodiesel was ever put in this truck and she has the ability to account for, support the make-up of, and obtain documentation on every drop of fuel ever put in this truck.
In the third week of june 2007 my wife moved my truck from the parking spot in the driveway, braked twice with no problem. On third brake depression, pedal went to the floorboard. Truck impacted our 2004 ford explorer in the driveway, damage to both vehicles approximately $3000 total. Afterwards the brakes maintained pressure. (the f250 had been parked for about five days without movement). On august 17,2007 I picked up the f250 after being parked at the airport for five days (high temperatures - 100 degrees). After starting, brakes applied good for two light applications, third application resulted in pedal going completely to the floor. Rapid activation of the emergency brake stopped vehicle prior to any collision. Once is a fluke, second is a defect. Took f250 to ford dealer, could not duplicate failure. Was going to have me drive away as if there was no problem. After call back to ford tech, they thought possible master brake cylinder problem. F250 left at dealership for master cylinder replacement after being told that they would have to sign liability in the event of failure. Master cylinder will be retained and available for the federal safety agency inspection if requested.
While driving truck engines would shut off and then restart. This happened a couple of time on a narrow mountain road causing me to lose steering for a second or two, very scary. Problem fixed after I replaced the cps on my own.
Transmission problems, ford f-250 power stroke diesel, will not go into reverse will not change gears correctly.
Driving east bound on I-30 1/2 mile west of exit 121, the tread came off of the driver side front.
My husband was having a routine oil change on his 2003 f-350 ford diesel when the technician noticed he had a radiator leak, there was a hole in a radiator hose. The large dealership was out of stock of replacement hoses. (there's a clue that this is a widespread problem) they decided to pull one from one of the used trucks in stock and had to check three before they found one without a hole (there's a second clue) I found the following on-line "so I took my truck in for a coolant leak..more like an added drain in a 3" hose that to me looks like the return under the engine. This hose is located in very close proximity to the steering box.....yep...a hole was worn in this hose from the steering..." this indicates to me that there is a design flaw placing the radiator hose too close to the steering mechanism. Overheating and stranded motorists constitutes a safety issue.
Firestone steeltex lt265/75/r16 r4s tires - sidewalls are separated at the raised letters. This issue was identicle on all 4 tires. Tires were original equipment on a ford excursion - 2003 2wd diesel. Tires currently have 48000 miles with good tread remaining. I can lift up the lettering and see the sidewall fibers on the sidewalls. This vehicle is never used off road and specifically used for long distance travel. I am going to replace these tires tomorrow, 3/21/2007. I have not at this time had a blowout or flat tire but these tires are extremely unsafe.
2003 ford explorer tailgate glass the tailgate cracks form the point of where the glass starts and the tailgate ends this is a plastic or fiberglas part that has the vertical crack.
I own a 2003 lincoln navigator. 2 problems..1. Power liftgate does not work, causing running boards not to deploy..sometimes I was able to pull fuse for liftgate and everything would reset and work for about 1 day. Now that will not work...2 my overdrive lite flashes. Took car to ford dealer and paid for 1 hr labor with no results..I was told that they were getting 4 or 5 error codes on transmission, but I had to pay for additional labor for them to drop transmission to hopefully isolate problem..there is a 4/50k warranty on transmission, and I have just over 70k. I would think that this is a major problem, and am wondering eventhough mileage is exceeded, am I still covered by years?
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Questions about the 2003 Ford E550
Is the 2003 Ford E550 reliable?
Owners have filed 66 complaints about the 2003 Ford E550, 22.0 times a typical E550 model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Ford E550?
Engine and cooling, with 20 complaints, typically around 35,000 miles. Next is tires (9).
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford E550 have?
4 recalls, covering vehicle speed control, electrical system and engine and engine cooling.
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