2003 Ford ECONOLINE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
48,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 22 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 22.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.5% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Tires: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Equipment: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 10 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2003: 2; 2005: 5; 2006: 3; 2007: 5; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2012: 2; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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 10106703 · 2005-01-04 (January 4, 2005)
MANUFACTURER'S RECALL GM04S22 WAS ISSUED FOR THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THE DEALER CONTINUED TO STATE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR THREE MONTHS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106703 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10117856 · 2005-04-12 (April 12, 2005)
2003 FORD ECONO-LINE VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD THE ABS RECALL REPAIRED IN DEC 2004. THE FIRE SEEMED TO ORIGINATE IN THE AREA OF THE ABS SYSTEM/ MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10117856 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111307 · 2005-02-10 (February 10, 2005)
VEHICLE CONSTANTLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10111307 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10915055 · 2016-10-10 (October 10, 2016)
FUEL TANK DELAMINATION. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, SENDING UNIT AND FUEL PUMP ON MY E350 DIESEL VAN. FORD HAS HAD KNOWN ISSUES FOR SEVERAL YEARS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THE INSIDE COATING OF THE TANK PEELS AWAY AND CLOGS UP THE FUEL SYSTEM, THEN THEY TURN AROUND AND SELL YOU THE SAME TANK SO IT HAPPENS AGAIN. VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER AND WILL EVEN STALL.
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10915055 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10196023 · 2007-07-10 (July 10, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ECONOLINE. THE ABS WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL # 04V444000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING), BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE, HOWEVER, THE ABS IS BURNED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 97,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,195. UPDATED 08/14/07. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 93,195 miles reported. Look up ODI 10196023 at NHTSA ↗