Ford · E-450 · 2003
5
Recalls
18
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2003 Ford E-450 has 5 recalls and 18 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: vehicle speed control (4 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated May 4, 2026
The 2003 Ford E-450 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is vehicle speed control with 4 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy Status
FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Remedy Status
UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
ON CERTAIN VANS, THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT MATERIAL PROCESS RESULTED IN AN AIR FILTER PAPER ELEMENT THAT CAN SMOLDER OR BURN. THIS CHANGE IN FILTER PAPER COMPOSITION COMBINED WITH THE CONFIGURATION OF THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM, MAY ALLOW HOT CARBON PARTICLES TO CONTACT THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT DURING CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THAT CREATE HOT PARTICLES.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO FORD IS EXTENDING THE LIMITED WARRANTY (FOR A ONE TIME REPLACEMENT) OF THE ABS MODULE FOR A TOTAL OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF YOUR VEHICLE HAS ALREADY ACCUMULATED MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2005.
ON CERTAIN VANS, A DIODE IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUSE IN THE ABS CIRCUIT AND INSTALL A HEAT SHIELD OVER THE ABS MODULE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO FORD IS EXTENDING THE LIMITED WARRANTY (FOR A ONE TIME REPLACEMENT) OF THE ABS MODULE FOR A TOTAL OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF YOUR VEHICLE HAS ALREADY ACCUMULATED MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2005.
ODI has received 1 complaint and reports from 4 transportation fleets alleging 182 switch failures.Each fleet operates mini buses built on a Ford E350 or E450 cutaway chassis.The OEM HVAC blower switches have melted, smoked, burned or experienced open flame and become inoperable on vehicles in each fleet.Some drivers have reported a burning smell or smoke coming from the dash.One fleet reported a vehicle fire.No injuries were sustained.However, the bus was carrying special needs children when the driver noticed smoke coming from the dash.The driver was able to evacuate the children prior to the vehicle becoming engulfed in flames.This PE has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA) to determine if the blower motor switch failures create a situation where a vehicle fire is possible and presents a safety risk to the driver and other passengers.
I have issues with brakes calipers that pistons are made of Phenolic material, replaced calipers multiple times and will fail in as little as one trip and when using RV in hot weather or too much braking like in the city even if is cold the brakes are constantly locking up to the...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-450. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A KIDDIE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V782000 (EQUIPMENT). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 1-855-262-3540 APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO, BUT THE CONTACT HAD N...
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I REPORTED A COMPLAINT ABOUT 10 DAYS AGO AND HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING AND THIS IS A FOLLOW UP. THE COMPLAINT NUMBER IS 10992187. WOULD SOME ONE PLEASE GIVE ME AN UPDATE ON YOUR PROCEDURE AND WHEN I CAN EXPECT TO HEAR FROM YOU. MY NAME IS [XXX] . I LEAVE SATURDAY JUNE 10TH AND ...
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WHEN SLEEPING IN MOTORHOME THE FRONT DRIVERS STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NOT RUNNING. THE KEY WAS NOT EVEN IN THE IGNITION.
VELVAC FOLDABLE RV MIRROR FELL COMPLETELY OFF OF ITS MOUNTING. THIS FAILURE OCCURED ON BOTH SIDES OFF THE RV AT NEARLY THE SAME TIME. FORTUNATELY THE RV WAS PARKED AT THE TIME AND NOT ON THE ROAD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN A RETAINING RING GROOVE WITH THE RETAINING RING CUTTING THR...
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E450. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 45 MPH USING THE CRUISE CONTROL IN RAINY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS ALSO A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROA...
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2003 FORD E450 DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. *KB THE RIM HAD WEAR MARKS WHERE THE LUG NUTS WORE LARGE HOLES, WHICH CAUSED THE STUDS TO SNAP OFF. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0038-91 UPDATED LETTER 04/29/10 *BF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-450 DIESEL BOX. WHEN DRIVING UPHILL THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND THEN STALL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER, BUT THE FAILURE RESURFACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED DE-L...
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FOLLOW THIS LINK: HTTP://STEVEWIENCEK.SMUGMUG.COM/PHOTOGRAPHY/FORD-FUEL-TANK/10976330_WP42T#774715040_3CEQC FOR A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT I AND OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THIS FUEL TANK. IT IS UNSAFE, DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. 1) LOSS OF POWER 2) OCCURRED EVERY 100 MI...
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E450. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT NUMEROUS ISSUES WHEN DRIVING SUCH AS RUNNING ROUGH, STALLING, HESITATION, FAILURE TO RESTART AND FAILURE TO INITIALLY START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE WAS ADVISED TO...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 18 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2003 Ford models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2003 Ford E-450 has 5 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 18 owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Ford E-450.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2003 Ford E-450.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2003 Ford E-450 are vehicle speed control (4 reports), fuel system, diesel (2 reports), tires (2 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 5 recalls on record for the 2003 Ford E-450. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.