NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Ford Econoline Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2003 Ford Econoline has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 22 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Ford Econoline, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2003 Ford Econoline owner complaints

Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford Econoline, describing incidents dated May 1, 2003 to October 6, 2016.

Most-cited components

Vehicle Speed Control 5 complaints
Engine 4 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints
Service Brakes 3 complaints
Structure 3 complaints
Tires 3 complaints

Of the 22 complaints on file, 3 report a fire; across all 22 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10915055 · Filed October 10, 2016
FUEL TANK DELAMINATION. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, SENDING UNIT AND FUEL PUMP ON MY E350 DIESEL VAN. FORD HAS HAD KNOWN ISSUES FOR SEVERAL YEARS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THE INSIDE COATING OF THE TANK PEELS AWAY AND CLOGS UP…
ODI #10467067 · Filed July 23, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ECONOLINE EQUIPPED WITH RADAR RADIAL RLT-9 TIRES, SIZE P245/75/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONDITION OF THE ROAD WERE DRY AND THE APPROXIMATE TEMPERATURE WAS 90 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND…
ODI #10457740 · Filed May 8, 2012
NO. 2 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD. *TR

Read all 22 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2003 Ford Econoline in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP05-005: SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
Closed January 4, 2006

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR

NHTSA #09E025000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported May 11, 2009 · DOPE, INC.

Potentially affected: 42,540 vehicles

Owners notified July 28, 2009

Defect description

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY DOPE, INC.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS

NHTSA #09E012000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported April 7, 2009 · SABERSPORT

Potentially affected: 16,270 vehicles

Owners notified May 11, 2009

Defect description

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH

NHTSA #08V051000 · Vehicle Speed Control — Cruise Control · NHTSA notice

Reported February 4, 2008 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 225,000 vehicles

Ford campaign 08S01 · Owners notified February 18, 2008 · Vehicles built September 3, 1991 – September 15, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 08S01.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FORD/FUEL TANK BRACKETS

NHTSA #03V282000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage · NHTSA notice

Reported August 5, 2003 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 64 vehicles

Ford campaign 03S06 · Owners notified September 3, 2003 · Vehicles built June 18, 2001 – March 20, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THE BRACKETS AND OUTRIGGER MEMBERS ARE INTENDED TO ENHANCE CRASH PERFORMANCE.

Manufacturer remedy

FORD WILL SEND TECHNICIANS TO THE OWNER'S LOCATION TO INSPECT AND ADD THE BRACKETS AND OUTRIGGERS AS REQUIRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 03S06.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2003 Ford Econoline

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

3 investigations

22 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Ford Econoline.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10915055

Incident: October 6, 2016 · Filed: October 10, 2016

FUEL TANK DELAMINATION. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, SENDING UNIT AND FUEL PUMP ON MY E350 DIESEL VAN. FORD HAS HAD KNOWN ISSUES FOR SEVERAL YEARS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THE INSIDE COATING OF THE TANK PEELS AWAY AND CLOGS UP THE FUEL SYSTEM, THEN THEY TURN AROUND AND SELL YOU THE SAME TANK SO IT HAPPENS AGAIN. VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER AND WILL EVEN STALL.

Tires

ODI #10467067

Incident: July 18, 2012 · Filed: July 23, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ECONOLINE EQUIPPED WITH RADAR RADIAL RLT-9 TIRES, SIZE P245/75/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONDITION OF THE ROAD WERE DRY AND THE APPROXIMATE TEMPERATURE WAS 90 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONDITION OF THE ROAD WAS AGAIN DRY AND THE APPROXIMATE TEMPERATURE WAS 80 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE TIRES WERE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES ON THE VEHICLE WAS 62,000. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES ON THE TIRES WERE 6,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10457740

Incident: May 8, 2012 · Filed: May 8, 2012

NO. 2 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD. *TR

Tires

ODI #10284034

Incident: August 27, 2009 · Filed: September 15, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ECONOLINE E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE COOPER AMERICAN PROSPECTOR 225/70R15 TIRES ON THE VEHICLE HAVE FAILED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING AND THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND WAS REPLACED. ONE WEEK AFTER THE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BLEW OUT AND WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL OF THOSE TIRES MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OR FREE REPAIR AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

Service Brakes, Electric

ODI #10277254

Incident: July 12, 2007 · Filed: July 18, 2009

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! *TR

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10216955

Incident: September 1, 2007 · Filed: February 5, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ECONOLOINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISCONNECTED IN OCTOBER. EACH MONTH SINCE OCTOBER, THE DEALER HAS INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE THE FOLLOWING MONTH. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 03-18-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL NUMBER IS 05S28. UPDATED 03/18/08 *TR

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10214895

Incident: September 7, 2007 · Filed: January 15, 2008

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN 9/07 FROM THE FORD COMPANY CONCERNING MY 2003 MOTORHOME. IT INVOLVED THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH, WHICH THEY SAID WAS DEFECTIVE. WHEN I CONTACTED A LOCAL FORD DEALER AS INSTRUCTED BY THE LETTER, I WAS TOLD THE REPAIR HAD TO WAIT TILL THE PARTS ARRIVED IN DECEMBER. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER LST WEEK, I WAS TOLD THE PARTS WOULDN'T ARRIVE UNTIL AT LEAST FEBRUARY. I CALLED THE FORD TOLL-FREE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. WHY ARE THEY DRAGGING THEIR FEET ON THIS? WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG TO GET THE PARTS? *TR

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10207437

Incident: August 1, 2007 · Filed: October 30, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) IN AUGUST OF 2007. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH OF 2008. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE WAIT TIME FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNACCEPTABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10205032

Filed: October 4, 2007

2003 FORD ECONOLINE WITH A RECALL. CUSTOMER STATED THE FORMER OWNERS FORWARDED THE RECALL NOTICE TO THEM. ALTHOUGH HE IS MAD BECAUSE THE PARTS WILL NOT BE IN UNTIL DECEMBER OR THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR. *KB *TR

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10203330

Incident: September 18, 2007 · Filed: September 18, 2007

2003 ECONOLINE SPEED RECALL DEFECT I WAS TOLD TO HAVE CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECTED AND REPAIR NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL JAN. 2008. *JB

Other Ford Econoline model years

Check your 2003 Ford Econoline VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Econoline at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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