Model year record

2003 Ford E-350

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 60 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V399000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
4,500,000
Reported to NHTSA
2009-10-13
Owners notified
2009-10-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V478000

Equipment adaptive/mobility

Component
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Manufacturer
AROUND TOWN TRANSPORTATION PRODUCTS, LLC
Vehicles affected
6
Reported to NHTSA
2008-09-18
Owners notified
2008-09-26

Defect description

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. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.

Safety risk

THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

Manufacturer remedy

AROUND TOWN IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR AROUND TOWN AT 1-678-364-8594.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V051000

Vehicle speed control: cruise control

Component
Vehicle speed control: cruise control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
225,000
Reported to NHTSA
2008-02-04
Owners notified
2008-02-18

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 risk

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V336000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
3,600,000
Reported to NHTSA
2007-08-03
Owners notified
2007-08-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V444000

Electrical system: wiring

Component
Electrical system: wiring
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
214,849
Reported to NHTSA
2004-09-13
Owners notified
2004-10-15

Defect description

ON CERTAIN VANS, A DIODE IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V445000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
253,076
Reported to NHTSA
2004-09-13
Owners notified
2004-09-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THESE HOT PARTICLES MAY IGNITE THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM DAMAGE OR UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Fuel system, diesel7106,000 mi
Electrical system6106,120 mi
Engine4106,120 mi
Steering330,000 mi
Unknown or other3
Engine and engine cooling239,895 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine274,100 mi
Fuel system, gasoline223,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip21 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads21 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2
Tires21 mi
Vehicle speed control216,000 mi
Air bags1
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module185,509 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel126,175 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood185,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel159,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1233,105 mi
Equipment1103,000 mi
Fuel system, diesel: storage: tank assembly198,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Seat belts: front: anchorage178,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly115,000 mi
Service brakes1173,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module177,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper11 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor11 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder181,600 mi
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing11 mi

The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.