2003 Ford ECONOLINE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10022447 · 2003-06-05 (June 5, 2003)
THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ENTIRE DOOR ON THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED INCORRECTLY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022447 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024608 · 2003-06-20 (June 20, 2003)
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FRONT CAB OF VEHICLE BEEN REDISIGNED. ALSO THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS REDISIGNED IT DID NOT ALLOW CONSUMER TO SEE A BILND SPOT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024608 at NHTSA ↗
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 10109487 · 2005-03-08 (March 8, 2005)
VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE THE OWNER'S HOME. OWNER WAS AWAKENED, AND TO DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS AN ECONOLINE VAN MODIFIED FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. *AK *TC
Owner-reported narrative. 10,158 miles reported. Look up ODI 10109487 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 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 10135614 · 2005-08-26 (August 26, 2005)
2003 FORD ECONOLINE DEFECTIVE PART REPAIRS.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE EIGHTH TIME TO REPAIR THE ALARM. THE ALARM STILL WASN'T FIXED. THE TIRES AND/OR RIMS ARE DEFECTIVE. THE BRAKES, SHOCKS AND A/C FAILED. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10151899 · 2006-02-16 (February 16, 2006)
2003 ECONOLINE MADE A LOUD POPPING SOUND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER. VEHICLE LATER CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** AFTER THE NOISE WAS HEARD THE DRIVER PULLED TO VEHICLE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THAT'S WHEN THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE DRIVER AND FIREMEN WERE INJURED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A RECALL WAS RECEIVED IN OCTOBER 2004. THE RECALL REFERENCED SAFETY RECALL 04S22 AND 04S23. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10151899 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V282000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage
Reported: 2003-08-05 (August 5, 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.
Consequence: THE BRACKETS AND OUTRIGGER MEMBERS ARE INTENDED TO ENHANCE CRASH PERFORMANCE.
Remedy: FORD WILL SEND TECHNICIANS TO THE OWNER'S LOCATION TO INSPECT AND ADD THE BRACKETS AND OUTRIGGERS AS REQUIRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA campaign record ↗08V051000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
Reported: 2008-02-04 (February 4, 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 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗