Most common 2003 Ford E-350 problems
Share of the 46 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford E-350 complaints by model year
Best E-350 years: 2018, 2016, 2015. Years to avoid: 1997, 1995, 1999. Compare all years →
2003 Ford E-350 recalls (6)
Vehicle speed control
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…
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…
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Around town is recalling 6 my 2003 Ford e-350 and my 2006 e-250 wheelchair conversion vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Around town is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners May contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or around town at 1-678-364-8594.
Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
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.
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.
Vehicle speed control
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.
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…
Electrical system › Wiring
On certain vans, a diode in the anti-lock braking system (ABS) module May experience an electrical short.
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.
Engine and engine cooling
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…
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2003 Ford E-350:
HVAC Switch Failures
ODI has received 1 complaint and reports from 4 transportation fleets alleging 182 switch failures.Each fleet operates mini buses built on a Ford E350 or E450 cutaway chassis.The OEM HVAC blower switches have melted, smoked, burned or experienced open flame and become inoperable on vehicles in each fleet.Some drivers have reported a burning smell or smoke coming from the dash.One fleet reported a vehicle fire.No…
HVAC Switch Failures
This investigation was opened based on one complaint and reports from four transportation fleets alleging 182 blower motor control switch failures.ODI was concerned that these melting and burning switches could lead to an open flame that could spread throughout the vehicle.After a comprehensive review of all data related to overheating blower motor control switches in the subject vehicles, ODI did not identify the…
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 cylinder and/or…
What 2003 Ford E-350 owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
Failure of fuel vapor valve assembly part #f65z*9b593 gas vapors build up in tank and are released under pressure when gas cap removed for refueling. Vehicle operates normally with no warning light for at least 30 days or more before check engine light comes on. I think it is fair to say under the correct conditions these vapors could ignite at gas pump when refueling. I have complete records of letters, phone calls and visits to Ford dealership, also defective valve was sent to Ford motor company and returned to me with a letter saying in part "returning part as we do not have facilities for inspecting or evaluation" I was also informed my request with service manager at gator Ford to meet with myself and rep. From Ford is not possible. I am original owner and vehicle has low mileage and well maintained. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford e-350. The contact stated the fuel tank was deteriorating which clogged up the fuel pump and fuel filter. The failure caused the vehicle to malfunction while driving up hill. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who inspected the vehicle and observed that the fuel pump and filter were clogged up. The mechanic will replace the fuel tank for over $1000 at the contacts expense. The dealer was notified and informed him to contact NHTSA since there were no recalls or warranty. The manufacturer was contacted and also informed him there were no recalls or warranty. The failure mileage was 100,000. Low sulfur diesel causes fuel tank lining to break down. Particles from this lining clogs up everything down stream. Fuel pump filter causing engine failure and a threat on road ways. Updated 11/01/2011
Engine & cooling
Have a 2003 Ford e-350 van cng gas conversion. At 97,000 miles a spark plug blew completely out of the cylinder head and broke off the ignition coil that was bolted to the head. The cng gas could have possibly ignited and caused a fire since the fuel was still being sent to that particular cylinder and the spark was still sparking eventhough it was blown out of the hole. I have never heard of this happening before until I researched it after it occurred. This seems to be very common in Ford engines that are 5.4 liter. The repair is around $2500. To pull the engine and repair the head. This could have been very dangerous if we had continue driving the van. This occurred 9/27/2010.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford e-350. While driving highway speeds, the contact stated a bolt separated from the engine block. This defect also caused the serpentine belt to fail, which caused the steering wheel and power steering to fail. The dealer and manufacturer denied any assistance with repair to the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 39,895 and the current mileage was 40,395.
Electrical system
F-350 diesel running erratically. Than will not shift radio stopped working no power all electronics stopped working. Smelt insulation burning on wires. Vehicle was totally disabled. Towed to dealer. Dealer found fuse box melted. Asked dealer to also check out alternator, [maybe putting out to much voltage] got the vehicle back the same thing happened. It was the alternator. Is can cause vehicle fires. Dealer claims he gets a few a month, different models.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was involved in a crash while driving 15 MPH. The vehicle rear-ended another vehicle, and glanced off the bumper. A passenger in the second vehicle noticed smoke emanating from under the hood, followed closely by flames. A police report was taken, and the vehicle was considered a total loss. The vehicle was not seen by a dealer, however the manufacturer was notified.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Ford E-350 a good car?
Based on 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 E-350 rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the E-350 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Ford E-350?
The fuel & propulsion system — 11 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Next are the engine & cooling (10) and electrical system (9).
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford E-350 have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2003 Ford E-350, the most recent from October 13, 2009 (vehicle speed control). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford E-350?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2016 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1997, 1995 and 1999. See the full Ford E-350 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford E-350 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 86,000 miles; 23% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.