The Lemon Index
200220044th generation
47 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,000 and 60,000 miles (6,400–96,000 km) (the middle half of the 32 complaints, of all 47 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09V399000 (speed control), 09E025000 (lights) and 09E012000 (lights) done? It has 10 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Ford sent dealers 37 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Rough idle and/or hesitation when acclerating on certain super duty vehicles equipped with a…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 47 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 59K miles (6K to 96K km) on the car (32 of all 47 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The van was parked an dit caught on fire. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire. No injuries reported. The van was towed and totaled by the insurance company.
2003 Ford E-Series owner · NHTSA complaint 10109519
More owner reports
The anti lock brake module was recalled. Dealer stated the part was not available.
NHTSA complaint 10097518
Problems with auxiliary battery, brakes and steering. Auxiliary battery is low; therefore, vehicle won't start. Rotors, pads and calipers were replaced due to recall but problem still exists. Steering wheel jerks hard to the left.
NHTSA complaint 10051712
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 37 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rough idle and/or hesitation when acclerating on certain super duty vehicles equipped with a…
- Runs rough, lacks power, hard start, no start
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 10
- Speed control · recall issued 2009
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…
- Lights · recall issued 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Lights · recall issued 2009
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.
Show all 10 recalls
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2008
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.
- Speed control · recall issued 2008
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…
- Speed control · recall issued 2007
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.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Engine · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN VANS, THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT MATERIAL PROCESS RESULTED IN AN AIR FILTER PAPER ELEMENT THAT CAN SMOLDER OR BURN.
- Electrical · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN VANS, A DIODE IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2003
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedHvac switch failures2010–2012
- ClosedHvac switch failures2009–2010
- ClosedSpark plug ejection from cylinder head2005–2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Every Ford E-Series year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-e-series/?y=2003" title="Ford E-Series reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="698" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-e-series/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Ford E-Series reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Ford E-Series reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a third as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 36; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford E-Series year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2003 Ford E-Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (28%), electrical (15%) and engine (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford E-Series have?
10 safety recalls (latest: speed control). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford E-Series problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,000 and 60,000 miles (6,400–96,000 km) (the middle half of the 32 complaints, of all 47 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2003 Ford E-Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
What Ford E-Series year is better than the 2003?
Nearby, the 2002 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works