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U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Ford E-250 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

17 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

50,103 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 17 complaints (17.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior423.5%
Braking behavior317.6%
Electrical and battery issues317.6%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System
3
Electrical System:Wiring
2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2
Tires
2
Vehicle Speed Control
2
Air Bags
1
Air Bags:Frontal
1
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System3
Electrical System:Wiring2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Tires2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Air Bags1
Air Bags:Frontal1
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel1

Electrical System: 3; Electrical System:Wiring: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Tires: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
4
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
3
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0004
25,000 to 49,9992
50,000 to 74,9993
75,000 to 99,9992
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2003
1
2004
4
2005
2
2006
1
2007
1
2009
2
2011
3
2012
1
2013
1
2016
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20031
20044
20052
20061
20071
20092
20113
20121
20131
20161

2003: 1; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2009: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2016: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10057231 · 2004-01-30 (January 30, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING FRONT END SUSPENSION CAUSED STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE WHEN DRIVING AND HITTING ROUGH OR UNEVEN SURFACES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, BUT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE VIBRATION PROBLEM.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057231 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10087673 · 2004-08-11 (August 11, 2004)

WHEN DRIVING 55 MPH OR MORE STEERING VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10087673 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10092734 · 2004-09-20 (September 20, 2004)

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY IT CAUGHTON FIRE. ELECTRICAL/ABS SYSTEM'S WAS THE DEFECTIVE. MANUFACTURER URGED CONSUMER TO FILE A COMPLAINT. RECALL 04V444000. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10092734 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10407294 · 2011-06-17 (June 17, 2011)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE GEARS WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE ABS LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WAS A FEE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V444000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING) THAT MAY BE RELATED T…

Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10407294 at NHTSA ↗