KnownCarProblems2003 Ford E550 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford E550, most often about the engine (30% of complaints, typically around 26,500 miles). It is the most complained-about E550 model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2003 Ford E550 problems
Engine
20 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 26,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Failure of the cam positioning sensor on a 2001 f250 7.3 diesel pickup with 35,00 miles. The truck started dying at stops. And slow speed. Had to put the truck in neutral and restart 8 times. Left the truck with Ford dealer for 2 days(they drove it home and put 150 miles on truck) nothing. Paid $140 for 2 hours labor.…
Since may 2nd, 2003 have had farm truck, f550 6.0 liter diesel 4x4 cab & chassis, into dealer six (6) times for a problem with 6.0 liter diesel motor, have asked twice to fix leaking transmission/transfer case and have complained once about severe front end shake (to which no responce was made and after discovering…
Wheels and tires
10 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles. Parts named most often: sidewall, tread/belt, rim.
Ford factory installed left front tire had tread seperation at ~70mph in apache county route 15 in arizona, a two lane road. Fortunate there was no traffic or could have been fatal, took entire road to regain control. Caused significant damage to my 2003 f250 est >$1000, flail type damage to fender (it ripped the…
Tire defect: goodyear wrangler rt/s p255 70r16 - side wall cracks on 3 of 4 tires. Vehicle: 2003 Ford truck f-150 4x4 mileage: 53000.
Transmission
9 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 23,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, clutch assembly, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
Since may 2nd, 2003 have had farm truck, f550 6.0 liter diesel 4x4 cab & chassis, into dealer six (6) times for a problem with 6.0 liter diesel motor, have asked twice to fix leaking transmission/transfer case and have complained once about severe front end shake (to which no responce was made and after discovering…
Was taking vehicle in for a fuel smell that was intermitent on 7-30-03 to ricart Ford when I threw in the clutch to shift and lost hte clutch it went to the floor so I proceed to the break down lane and that is when I noticed the smoke and flames coming from under the hood. The dealer ship was 1/2 mile away and in…
Electrical
8 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 39,500 miles.
I have a Ford 250 superduty with a 6.0l engine. Twice the engine quit, once when I was in heavy traffic on the interstate, needless to say it left me with limited bracking and once when I was coming to a stop. Both times I was able to start the engine. I found a recall on this problem #05s34 but it was only for years…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford e-550. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05v270000 (electrical…
Fuel system
8 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 4,000 miles. Parts named most often: fuel injection system, storage, delivery.
Fuel injection problems with Ford 6.0 power stroke diesel engine, defective injectors installed on early production models prior to 05/03, injectors leak, break, bad o-rings. Ford pulled from inventory, but built hundreds, or thousands of vehicles with the defective parts. Mine broke at 2500 miles, leaked over 7…
On labor day weekend 2003 a fuel injector failed and filled the oil pan with fuel. The engine shut down and I had to be towed in. It took Ford road service 3 hrs to find a tow service. The truck had 5700 miles on it. Now on march 20, 2004 the truck will be going back to the dealer with what acts like the same problem.…
Air bags
6 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Air bags failed to deploy in an accident. Woman pulled out in front of me and I hit her left front quarter panel. Her saturn and my f-150 were totaled at about 30 MPH. My air bags did not deploy nor did my seat belt hold. I sustained moderate facial and leg injuries. Had the bags deployed, I would be hurting a lot…
Our 2003 Ford expedition was involved in a one vehicle accident. The impact was on the entire passenger side and frontal impact. The vehicle was labeled a total loss. Neither the drivers side nor passenger side airbags deployed.
Visibility and wipers
5 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: windshield wiper/washer, rearview mirrors/devices, glass, side/rear.
Brakes
3 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
I had a fire in my vehicle on 6/26/2006 and it was a total loss. Two fire investigators determined that the fire started in the ABS module. I not only lost my vehicle but my whole business which was in that vehicle. But I have gotten no response from Ford.
In the third week of june 2007 my wife moved my truck from the parking spot in the driveway, braked twice with no problem. On third brake depression, pedal went to the floorboard. Truck impacted our 2004 Ford explorer in the driveway, damage to both vehicles approximately $3000 total. Afterwards the brakes maintained…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Ford E550 recalls
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Fix: 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 as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Full defect summary
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 deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: Overheating could result in smoke, burn, or an underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on march 12, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. (note: also see recalls 05v017, 05v388, and 06v286)
Full defect summary
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
Electrical: wiring
Risk: The electrical short may cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, or the module may overheat resulting in a burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition may occur while the vehicle is being driven or unattended.
Fix: 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. Also ford is extending the limited warranty (for a one time replacement) of the ABS module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until september 30, 2005.
Full defect summary
On certain vans, a diode in the anti-lock braking system (ABS) module may experience an electrical short.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: These hot particles may ignite the air filter element with the potential for air induction system damage or underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the air filter element. The recall began september 27, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also ford is extending the limited warranty (for a one time replacement) of the ABS module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until september 30, 2005.
Full defect summary
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 create hot particles.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 Ford E550
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford E550?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (20 complaints, typically around 26,500 miles); wheels and tires (10 complaints, typically around 47,500 miles); transmission (9 complaints, typically around 23,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Ford E550 have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 13, 2009 (speed control). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Ford E550?
- It is the most complained-about E550 model year since 2000, with 66 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other Ford E550 years
- 2003