Complaints
59
Crashes
4
Fires
5
Injuries
4
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 2003 Ford E-350 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#17 complaints
Diesel Fuel System
Avg mileage:129,107 mi
#26 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:106,916 mi
Fires:2
#34 complaints
Engine Problems
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Ford E-350.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel Fuel System | 7 | — | — | 129,107 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 6 | — | 2 | 106,916 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbags | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Instrument Cluster | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 1 | — | — | — |
Diesel Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
129,107
Electrical Faults
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
106,916
Engine Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Ford E-350. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford E-350 Years
2003 Ford E-350 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Ford E-350 reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2003 Ford E-350 has 59 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Diesel Fuel System with 7 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2003 Ford E-350?
Top reported problems: Diesel Fuel System (7 complaints, avg 129,107 mi); Electrical Faults (6 complaints, avg 106,916 mi); Engine Problems (4 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Ford E-350?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 118,865 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2003 Ford E-350?
NHTSA complaints for the 2003 Ford E-350 include 4 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 4 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2003 Ford E-350 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2003 Ford E-350 as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2003 Ford E-350?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford E-350 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Ford E-350
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99