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2003 problems

FaultScore report

2003 Ford Econoline problems

Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 2003 Ford Econoline with NHTSA between 2003 and 2016. The largest single group is the acceleration & cruise control. Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 11 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Ford Econoline All 2003 cars

FaultScore 58/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Ford Econoline.

How this is worked out

The numbers

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

35,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

65%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.

Complaint volume — 18: Against the median year of the Ford Econoline. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 96: 18.5% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100: 65% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2003 compares with every other Ford Econoline

Click any bar to open that year's report.

1 1 1 2 10 15 7 19 33 41 38 37 113 71 164 98 96 100 61 102 46 31 25 27 1 1 2 3 7 1

79 80 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 09 10 12 16 17 19

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2003 Ford Econoline

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Acceleration & Cruise Control 5 18.5%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 10,158 mi

Engine & Cooling 4 14.8%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 86,000 mi

Tires 3 11.1%

Median failure at 62,000 miles

Body & Structure 3 11.1%

Median failure at 10,000 miles

Brakes 3 11.1%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

Electrical System 3 11.1%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 64,097 mi

Fuel & Propulsion 2 7.4%

Median failure at 105,000 miles

Equipment & Accessories 1 3.7%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

Wheels 1 3.7%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

Suspension 1 3.7%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 3.7%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 2 11.8%

10,000 – 24,999 miles 2 11.8%

25,000 – 49,999 miles 7 41.2%

50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 5.9%

75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 5.9%

100,000 – 149,999 miles 3 17.6%

150,000+ miles 1 5.9%

NHTSA crash tests

The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.

These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.

Frontal crash test of a 2003 Ford Econoline — Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash tests of this model year. Public domain.

Configuration	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2003 Ford Econoline	—	—	—	—

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jun 2003 peak 6 Oct 2016

NHTSA investigations into the 2003 Ford Econoline

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

DP05005 Opened 22 Sep 2005 Closed 4 Jan 2006 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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 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 A...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Filed 24 Feb 2006 SAN Francisco, CA Fire 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2003 ECONOLINE MADE A LOUD POPPING SOUND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER. VEHICLE LATER CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** AFTER THE NOISE WAS HEARD THE DRIVER PULLED TO VEHICLE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THAT'S WHEN THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE DRIVER AND FIREMEN WERE INJURED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A RECALL WAS RECEIVED IN OCTOBER 2004. THE RECALL REFERENCED SAFETY RECALL 04S22 AND 04S23.

NHTSA complaint #10151899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 19 Apr 2005 Unknown, PA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2003 FORD ECONO-LINE VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD THE ABS RECALL REPAIRED IN DEC 2004. THE FIRE SEEMED TO ORIGINATE IN THE AREA OF THE ABS SYSTEM/ MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER.

NHTSA complaint #10117856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 1 Feb 2005 at 10,158 miles Asheboro, NC Fire 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE THE OWNER'S HOME. OWNER WAS AWAKENED, AND TO DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS AN ECONOLINE VAN MODIFIED FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10109487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Filed 10 Oct 2016 at 105,000 miles Hopewell Junction, NY

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10915055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 23 Jul 2012 at 62,000 miles Chicago, IL

TIRES

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.

NHTSA complaint #10467067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 8 May 2012 at 168,000 miles Irvine, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

NO. 2 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD.

NHTSA complaint #10457740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 15 Sep 2009 at 110,000 miles Hurricane, UT

TIRES

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.

NHTSA complaint #10284034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Jul 2009 at 100,969 miles Glendale, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

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!

NHTSA complaint #10277254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 5 Feb 2008 Galesville, WI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

NHTSA complaint #10216955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 15 Jan 2008 London, KY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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?

NHTSA complaint #10214895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 30 Oct 2007 Napa, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10207437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 5 Oct 2007 Port Townsend, WA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

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

NHTSA complaint #10205032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Sep 2007 Monaca, PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

NHTSA complaint #10203330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 20 Jul 2007 West Warren, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WE HAVE A 2003 FORD ECONOLINE VAN THAT EJECTED IT'S FIRST SPARK PLUG THIS SPRING COSTING US TOWING AND $500.00+ IN REPAIRS. WEDNESDAY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THIS TIME ON THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY. WE WERE FORCED TO STAND IN A 10 FOOT PIECE OF GRASS BETWEEN 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND A ROCK CLIFF WITH 4 SMALL CHILDREN. AFTER WE MANAGED TO GET 7 PEOPLE PACKED INTO A TOW TRUCK AND GET TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP, WE HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR 3 DAYS AND PAY FOR YET ANOTHER REPAIR. I INVESTIGATED AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A RECURRING DEFECT IN THIS TYPE OF FORD ENGINES. I CALLED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO REPAIR THE ACTUAL ENGINE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT MY VAN IS NOW FIXED, SO TECHNICALLY IT IS FINE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THERE IS ONLY A 50% CHANCE THAT THE PROBLEM MAY OCCUR AGAIN AND IF IT DOES I SHOULD CALL BACK. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT RECOURSE THERE IS FOR SOMEONE WHO JUST DOESN'T WANT TO DRIVE AROUND WITH THEIR CHILDREN IN A KNOWN TIME BOMB!

NHTSA complaint #10197049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 10 Jul 2007 at 93,195 miles South Bend, IN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ECONOLINE. THE ABS WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL # 04V444000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING), BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE, HOWEVER, THE ABS IS BURNED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 97,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,195. UPDATED 08/14/07.

NHTSA complaint #10196023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 24 Aug 2006 at 30,000 miles Annandale, VA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WAS SLIPPING ON ICE OR SLUDGE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE FORWARD MOTION, SOMETIMES THE SAME SENSATION WAS FELT WHEN STARTING TO MAKE A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FIVE TIMES, AGREED THE PROBLEMS WERE PRESENT HOWEVER, THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS SHOWED EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL.

NHTSA complaint #10166436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 21 Jun 2006 at 10,000 miles Cincinnati, OH

STRUCTURE

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT A DEALER CALLED MONTGOMARY FORD SOLD THREE 15 PASSENGER VANS TO A PUBLIC SCHOOL CALLED HARMONY COMMUNITY SCHOOL.

NHTSA complaint #10160321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 24 Feb 2006 SAN Francisco, CA Fire 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

NHTSA complaint #10151899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.