2003 FORD ECONOLINE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
27
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
4
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 FORD ECONOLINE
The 2003 FORD ECONOLINE has received a total of 27 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL. 4 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Vehicle Speed Control (4 complaints), Tires (3 complaints), and Electrical System (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 FORD ECONOLINE
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2003 FORD ECONOLINE, potentially affecting up to 283,874 vehicles.
Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 42,540 vehicles affected
Defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
View full details →Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
View full details →Recall 08V051000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
| 225,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
View full details →Recall 03V282000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
| 64 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 FORD ECONOLINE
27 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 FORD ECONOLINE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemwiring | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinestorage | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Electric | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodydoorhinge And Attachments | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structureframe And Members | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheelsrim | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ECONOLINE EQUIPPED WITH RADAR RADIAL RLT-9 TIRES, SIZE P245/75/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONDITION OF THE ROAD WERE DRY AND THE APPROXIMATE TEMPERATURE WAS 90 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONDITION OF THE ROAD WAS AGAIN DRY AND THE APPROXIMATE TEMPERATURE WAS 80 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE TIRES WERE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES ON THE VEHICLE WAS 62,000. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES ON THE TIRES WERE 6,000.
NO. 2 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ECONOLINE E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE COOPER AMERICAN PROSPECTOR 225/70R15 TIRES ON THE VEHICLE HAVE FAILED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING AND THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND WAS REPLACED. ONE WEEK AFTER THE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BLEW OUT AND WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL OF THOSE TIRES MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OR FREE REPAIR AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
2003 FORD AEROSTAR LX VAN ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ON DASHBOARD WILL COME ON AND STAY ON ONE DAY, AND MAYBE NOT THE NEXT DAY. GOING ON FOR MONTHS. CAN'T PREDICT WHEN THIS WILL OCCUR. THE FORD DEALER OFFER TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR LESS THAN A $1000 DOLLARS!?!?!? VERY GENEROUS OF THEM! *TR
Safety Rating for the 2003 FORD ECONOLINE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 FORD ECONOLINE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 FORD ECONOLINE
Ford Motor Company has issued 4 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 FORD ECONOLINE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
04E09 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
CERTAIN 2001 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR ECONOLINE COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES - REAR HIGH -PRESSURE FUEL LINE INSPECTION. IN SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE CNG FITTING CONNECTORS MAY DEVELOP A FUEL LEAK AT ONE OR BOTH OF THE FITTING LOCATIONS. *MJ
03B07 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE REPLACEMENT FOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITH AN INCORRECTLY MACHINED CRANKSHAFT. *TT
16788 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
VEHICLES WITH THE CONTROLLER AREA NETWORK (CAN) MAY EXHIBIT A POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) NON-COMMUNICATION EVENT, WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN UNNECESSARY PCM REPLACEMENT USING NORMAL DIAGNOSTICS. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING THE 2003 SUPER DUTY. *TT
15271 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLING/CHARGING
DEDICATED CNG REGULATOR BOWL KIT AVAILABLE. *JG
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 FORD ECONOLINE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FORD ECONOLINE
- 1998 FORD ECONOLINE — 61 complaints
- 1999 FORD ECONOLINE — 102 complaints
- 2000 FORD ECONOLINE — 46 complaints
- 2001 FORD ECONOLINE — 31 complaints
- 2002 FORD ECONOLINE — 25 complaints
- 2003 FORD ECONOLINE (current)
- 2005 FORD ECONOLINE — 0 complaints
- 2006 FORD ECONOLINE — 0 complaints
- 2007 FORD ECONOLINE — 0 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints