The Used Car Index

2003 Ford E-150 problems

NHTSA lists 21 complaints for the 2003 Ford E-150, 3 of them mention a crash and 1 mention a fire. 2 complaints mention an injury, with 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as FORD E-150.

At a glance

Complaints
21
With crash
3
With fire
1
With injury (complaints)
2
Injuries
2
Deaths
0
Recalls
5
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
4,500,000
Investigations
1
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
11

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM419.0%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING314.3%
POWER TRAIN314.3%
SEAT BELTS314.3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC314.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL314.3%
EQUIPMENT29.5%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE29.5%
STEERING29.5%
AIR BAGS14.8%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
EQUIPMENTAPPLIANCE2
POWER TRAINDRIVELINE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMIGNITION1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMWIRING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCOOLING SYSTEM1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGEXHAUST SYSTEM1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINESTORAGE1
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
SEAT BELTSFRONT1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICFOUNDATION COMPONENTS1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

5 recalls.

09V399000

Date: 2009-10-13. Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

Defect: 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 OVERHEA (excerpt)

Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

08V051000

Date: 2008-02-04. Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

Defect: 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 VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.

Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

07V336000

Date: 2007-08-03. Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. (excerpt)

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

04V445000

Date: 2004-09-13. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

Consequence: THESE HOT PARTICLES MAY IGNITE THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM DAMAGE OR UNDERHOOD FIRE. (excerpt)

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, THI (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

04V444000

Date: 2004-09-13. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Defect: ON CERTAIN VANS, A DIODE IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

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 ALREA (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

1 investigations; 0 open.

DP05005

Opened: 2005-09-22. Closed: 2006-01-04.

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

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 CY

Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

11 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
POWER TRAIN2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
SUSPENSION2
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR1

10056196

Date: 2014-05-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

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 CHASSIS, LOW CAB FORWARD. *PE

10022232

Date: 2006-12-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT NEEDED. *KB

10018741

Date: 2005-11-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1131 AND/OR P1151 - 4.2L ENGINE. *TT

10017865

Date: 2005-07-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT - CHASSIS CAB INCOMPLETE VEHICLES. *TT

10018941

Date: 2005-01-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.

VIBRATION/HARSHNESS ABOVE 45 MPH (72 KM/H) AFTER TIRE BALANCE. *TT

10010545

Date: 2004-10-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 04N03. ADDITIONAL WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE. *TT

10010743

Date: 2004-10-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

INTERMITTENT CLUNK ON 3-2 DOWNSHIFT DURING COASTDOWN/TIP-IN. OASIS. TO INCLUDE 2005 F-150, E-SERIES AND EXPEDITION. *TT

10011181

Date: 2004-08-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

LOW POWER AND/OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0299 OR P2263 - TURBOCHARGER DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE TIP. *TT

10007350

Date: 2004-01-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.

CLUNK FROM FRONT SUSPENSION. *TT

10008193

Date: 2003-11-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

FRONT BRAKE PAD WEAR. *TT

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
E-15021

Same model, other years

All model years | All Ford models

Other Ford models, 2003

Sources

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