2003 Ford E Series
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › Ford › E Series › 2003
These records cover every 2003 Ford E Series. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 2003 Ford E Series. Newest first.
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 7.3L diesel engines, the camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle may function intermittently, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event of an engine stall, a crash could result without warning.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the sensor and replace it with an improved camshaft position sensor free of charge. the recall began on december 29, 2007. owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Certain pickup truck, van, and MINI van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. these units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness IS exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. owner notification began march 7, 2003. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.
Owner complaints
5 complaints2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Unknown or other
My vehicle suddenly stopped shut off dead!!!! In the middle of traffic. I managed to restar it and immediately drove it to the closest mechanic shop.i paid $49.95 fee and they scanned the engine. told me it might have been a loose wire, that they took care of it and go ahead and drive it. "bring…
My vehicle suddenly stopped shut off dead!!!! In the middle of traffic. I managed to restar it and immediately drove it to the closest mechanic shop.i paid $49.95 fee and they scanned the engine. told me it might have been a loose wire, that they took care of it and go ahead and drive it. "bring it back, if it happens again" easier said than done. yes it IS still happening. I love my car and it IS the only transportation I have. I am 69 3/4 years old and drive around with my 92 year old mother. needless to say I am terrified to drive my vehicle.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
I have a ford E350 4X4 van 2003. There has been fumes accumulating in the van when driving. I get headaches and my eyes tear and my feel sick. I noticed the fumes intensely on 1.25.08 when driving highway miles in cold weather at a distance of 2.5 hours and 132 miles one way and 264 round trip.…
I have a ford E350 4X4 van 2003. There has been fumes accumulating in the van when driving. I get headaches and my eyes tear and my feel sick. I noticed the fumes intensely on 1.25.08 when driving highway miles in cold weather at a distance of 2.5 hours and 132 miles one way and 264 round trip. The fumes build up when driving. I open my passenger window while still driving and it seems like I get more fumes. In addition when I put on the heater it also fill up the van. On 2.1.08 I did another trip like the one that was mention above. My wife an I experience the same affect which were headaches and nauseous. *tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
While driving the vehicle it started to make a loud rattling sound and started to loose power, eventually the vehicle just shut down and wouldn't start again. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where I was told that the catalytic converter IS bad. the vehicle has been at the dealer since may…
While driving the vehicle it started to make a loud rattling sound and started to loose power, eventually the vehicle just shut down and wouldn't start again. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where I was told that the catalytic converter IS bad. the vehicle has been at the dealer since may 21, 2007. the part has been on back order since then and I was told that it will become available on june 26, 2007. now as of today june 26, 2007, it was pushed back to august 25, 2007, because it's an engineer problem. I am out of transportation and the dealer or ford IS not assisting me in much of anything right now!*ak
- Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
Grinding noise from the rear end while backing or making low speed turns. Per 3 different mechanics, this IS a common problem with the ford explorer due to the rear differential. This problem has been repeatedly documented both here and in online forums. It requires a $1000.00 repair with no guarantee that the repair will prevent the problem from recurring. *nm
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
While driving in inclement weather windshield wiper came on and off intermittently. Consumer drove vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the windshield wiper motor needed to be replaced. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- 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…
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 any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi IS aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi?s analysis showed, it IS possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles.however, odi?s analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences.none of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence.given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect IS very low.in view of the foregoing, it IS unlikely that nhtsa would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize nhtsa?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition IS denied.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10235153For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affected vehicles are VIN/vehicle specific and hardware variations between modules do exist. Swapping a module from a vehicle or ordering a module using a different vehicle/VIN can cause ineffective repairs and additional vehicle down time. Make sure all appropriate Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures are followed when diagnosing the condition prior to all module replacements and only order modules using the correct VIN.
- 10042864Ford: the blower motor on some vehicles are operating either incorrectly or not operating or just functioning on one speed.
- 10030838Ford: certain vehicles, e series and f super duty, with ambulance prep package ambulance class action settlement-6.0l diesel engine replacement warranty extension. Awareness communication dated 4/20/09.
- 10030837Ford: certain vehicles with ambulance prep package ambulance class action settlement; specific component warranty extension. Awareness communication, dated 4/20/09.
- 10030836Ford: multiple vehicles with a torq shift transmission intermittent clunk when shifting between drive, reverse and park and/or during 2-3 upshift. Models f super duty; e series; excursion; F53 motorhome chassis and low cab forward.
- 10023943Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, or 6.8L 2V engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. This includes F-53 motorhome chassis. Updated 2/23/10.
- 10019075Fuel conditioner. Low power, poor fuel economy, fuel gelling in cold weather, excessive white smoke on cold start, hard start, or coking of components exposed to exhaust.
- 10018745Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10014685Use of stainless steel exhaust studs in service for 5.4L 2V engine.
- 10014666Intermittent rough idle - non-commanded egr (exhaust gas recirculation valve) flow.
- 10014275A driveline clunk or bump when starting from a stop.
- 10014138Safety belt retraction speed.
- 10014086General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013403Hard start or no start.
- 10013316A cold weather reverse engagement stall.
- 10013078High side pressure fluctuations on vehicles equipped with a fixed scroll a/c compressor.
- 10011162Engine misfire or running - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - wds cop kit diagnostic tips. To include various 2005 models. * ar this article 04161 supersedes tsb 03-14-04.
- 10009332Multiple vehicles using fehp rear axle fluid. Fluid usage change.
- 10008580Lamp-brake-invadvertent disabling of brake shift interlock.
- 10008552Rear leaf spring noise.
- 10008545Chassis component torque update for e-coated frames.
- 10008337Water pump pulley bolts loose.
- 10008334Engine-light tick or rattle type noise from engine after cold start.
- 10008310Engine-cylinder head deck leak-4.6 and 5.4L engines-new service-only gasket and cylinder head kits availability.
- 10008304Engine-gear driven synchronizers-incorrect installation-camshaft position synchronizer (cmp) installation tool correct application.
- 10008279New service part - number 5 needle bearing and race kit - 4r70w transmission - service tip.
- 10008278Engine-romeo built 4.6L 2v-tick noise from engine-engines built before 9/17/2003.
- 10008269Lack of power and/or diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p2263 after turbocharger replacement.
- 10008212Steering wheel nibble 50-65 mph.
- 10008195Air bag lamp illuminated.
- 10008169Broken exhaust manifold studs.
- 10008155Diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) b1876, b1880, b1915 and/or b1920 airbag electronic crash sensor (ecs) module on vehicles equipped with aftermarket high current devices.
- 10007350Clunk from front suspension.
- 10007341False diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's set during use of active commands with wds.
- 10005089Oil leak at high pressure pump fittings and/or plug. This includes super duty f-series. Oasis.
- 10004913Rough idle and/or misfire with diagnostic trouble code p0316 after an overnight soak in extreme cold and high humidity conditions.
- 10004908Clicking/popping noise from upper steering column area when turning. 2004 e series and explorer sport trac also included.
- 10004899Engine remaining at idle even when the accelerator pedal IS depressed.
- 10004898Ignition switch lock cylinders binds in off and lock positions.
- 10004889Some dedicated CNG vehicles may exhibit various driveability conditions due to a loss of injector performance, resulting from fuel quality. Loss of power at heavy load, diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) for lean fuel, rough idle, hard start, plugged catalytic converter and no start condition.
Every Ford E Series model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.