Total Complaints
81 filings
Ford E550 · model year
81 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports, and 5 recall campaigns listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The verdict
The 2003 Ford E550 posts above-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.
The 2003FordE550 carries 81 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 3 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2003 E550 is engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel with 9 filings, followed by electrical system (8) and engine and engine cooling:engine (6). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA currently has 179 investigation files overlapping the 2003 E550, and 6 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.
Total Complaints
81 filings
Crashes Reported
9 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL | 9 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 8 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 6 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 5 |
| TIRES | 4 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 3 |
| TIRES:SIDEWALL | 3 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 3 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER | 2 |
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | 2 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 2 |
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 CER
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ON CERTAIN VANS, A DIODE IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
Mileage: 43,000
IN REFERENCE TO OUR 2003 FORD F-550 DIESEL DUMP TRUCK. THE FIRST DOCUMENTED OCCURRENCE THE PROBLEM OF LOSS OF POWER WHILE ON THE ROAD AND RUNNING WAS BACK IN 2005. THE PROBLEM WAS FINALLY PROPERLY DIAGNOSED ON 9/13/07 BY MCCAFFERTY FORD. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE LINING OF THE FUEL TANK WAS FLAKING AWAY AND CLOGGING THE FUEL LINES, FUEL PUMP AND FILTER. FORD'S REASON FOR THIS HAPPENING WAS THAT 5% OR MORE OF BIODIESEL WAS USED IN THE TANK. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH WE HAVE FOUND THAT JUST ABOUT ALL OF OUR FUEL PURCHASED FOR THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED BY EITHER EXXON OR SUNOCO. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OBTAIN STATEMENTS FROM BOTH EXXON AND SUNOCO THAT DETERMINE UNDENIABLY THAT THERE IS NO CHANCE ANY BIODIESEL WAS PURCHASED FROM THEM. BEYOND THOSE STATEMENTS, SUNOCO HAS OFFERED TO NOT ONLY TEST THE FUEL WE SAVED FROM THE TANK, BUT WILL ALSO RUN TESTS ON EVERY STATION WE PURCHASED FROM AND GO TO THEIR BOARD AND ATTORNEYS ON OUR BEHALF WITH THIS ISSUE. MCCAFFERTY FORD HAS ALSO SHOWN THEIR
IN THE THIRD WEEK OF JUNE 2007 MY WIFE MOVED MY TRUCK FROM THE PARKING SPOT IN THE DRIVEWAY, BRAKED TWICE WITH NO PROBLEM. ON THIRD BRAKE DEPRESSION, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD. TRUCK IMPACTED OUR 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN THE DRIVEWAY, DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES APPROXIMATELY $3000 TOTAL. AFTERWARDS THE BRAKES MAINTAINED PRESSURE. (THE F250 HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT FIVE DAYS WITHOUT MOVEMENT). ON AUGUST 17,2007 I PICKED UP THE F250 AFTER BEING PARKED AT THE AIRPORT FOR FIVE DAYS (HIGH TEMPERATURES - 100 DEGREES). AFTER STARTING, BRAKES APPLIED GOOD FOR TWO LIGHT APPLICATIONS, THIRD APPLICATION RESULTED IN PEDAL GOING COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. RAPID ACTIVATION OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE STOPPED VEHICLE PRIOR TO ANY COLLISION. ONCE IS A FLUKE, SECOND IS A DEFECT. TOOK F250 TO FORD DEALER, COULD NOT DUPLICATE FAILURE. WAS GOING TO HAVE ME DRIVE AWAY AS IF THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. AFTER CALL BACK TO FORD TECH, THEY THOUGHT POSSIBLE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER PROBLEM. F250 LEFT AT DEALERSHIP FOR
Mileage: 45,000
WHILE DRIVING TRUCK ENGINES WOULD SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTART. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIME ON A NARROW MOUNTAIN ROAD CAUSING ME TO LOSE STEERING FOR A SECOND OR TWO, VERY SCARY. PROBLEM FIXED AFTER I REPLACED THE CPS ON MY OWN. *TR
Mileage: 46,000
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, FORD F-250 POWER STROKE DIESEL, WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE WILL NOT CHANGE GEARS CORRECTLY. *TR
Mileage: 90,000
DRIVING EAST BOUND ON I-30 1/2 MILE WEST OF EXIT 121, THE TREAD CAME OFF OF THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT. *TR
Mileage: 33,900
MY HUSBAND WAS HAVING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE ON HIS 2003 F-350 FORD DIESEL WHEN THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED HE HAD A RADIATOR LEAK, THERE WAS A HOLE IN A RADIATOR HOSE. THE LARGE DEALERSHIP WAS OUT OF STOCK OF REPLACEMENT HOSES. (THERE'S A CLUE THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM) THEY DECIDED TO PULL ONE FROM ONE OF THE USED TRUCKS IN STOCK AND HAD TO CHECK THREE BEFORE THEY FOUND ONE WITHOUT A HOLE (THERE'S A SECOND CLUE) I FOUND THE FOLLOWING ON-LINE "SO I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR A COOLANT LEAK..MORE LIKE AN ADDED DRAIN IN A 3" HOSE THAT TO ME LOOKS LIKE THE RETURN UNDER THE ENGINE. THIS HOSE IS LOCATED IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE STEERING BOX.....YEP...A HOLE WAS WORN IN THIS HOSE FROM THE STEERING..." THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW PLACING THE RADIATOR HOSE TOO CLOSE TO THE STEERING MECHANISM. OVERHEATING AND STRANDED MOTORISTS CONSTITUTES A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB
MY HUSBAND WAS HAVING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE ON HIS 2003 F-350 FORD DIESEL WHEN THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED HE HAD A RADIATOR LEAK, THERE WAS A HOLE IN A RADIATOR HOSE. THE LARGE DEALERSHIP WAS OUT OF STOCK OF REPLACEMENT HOSES. (THERE'S A CLUE THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM) THEY DECIDED TO PULL ONE FROM ONE OF THE USED TRUCKS IN STOCK AND HAD TO CHECK THREE BEFORE THEY FOUND ONE WITHOUT A HOLE (THERE'S A SECOND CLUE) I FOUND THE FOLLOWING ON-LINE "SO I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR A COOLANT LEAK..MORE LIKE AN ADDED DRAIN IN A 3" HOSE THAT TO ME LOOKS LIKE THE RETURN UNDER THE ENGINE. THIS HOSE IS LOCATED IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE STEERING BOX.....YEP...A HOLE WAS WORN IN THIS HOSE FROM THE STEERING..." THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW PLACING THE RADIATOR HOSE TOO CLOSE TO THE STEERING MECHANISM. OVERHEATING AND STRANDED MOTORISTS CONSTITUTES A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB
FIRESTONE STEELTEX LT265/75/R16 R4S TIRES - SIDEWALLS ARE SEPARATED AT THE RAISED LETTERS. THIS ISSUE WAS IDENTICLE ON ALL 4 TIRES. TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A FORD EXCURSION - 2003 2WD DIESEL. TIRES CURRENTLY HAVE 48000 MILES WITH GOOD TREAD REMAINING. I CAN LIFT UP THE LETTERING AND SEE THE SIDEWALL FIBERS ON THE SIDEWALLS. THIS VEHICLE IS NEVER USED OFF ROAD AND SPECIFICALLY USED FOR LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL. I AM GOING TO REPLACE THESE TIRES TOMORROW, 3/21/2007. I HAVE NOT AT THIS TIME HAD A BLOWOUT OR FLAT TIRE BUT THESE TIRES ARE EXTREMELY UNSAFE.*AK
2003 FORD EXPLORER TAILGATE GLASS THE TAILGATE CRACKS FORM THE POINT OF WHERE THE GLASS STARTS AND THE TAILGATE ENDS THIS IS A PLASTIC OR FIBERGLAS PART THAT HAS THE VERTICAL CRACK. *NM
I OWN A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. 2 PROBLEMS..1. POWER LIFTGATE DOES NOT WORK, CAUSING RUNNING BOARDS NOT TO DEPLOY..SOMETIMES I WAS ABLE TO PULL FUSE FOR LIFTGATE AND EVERYTHING WOULD RESET AND WORK FOR ABOUT 1 DAY. NOW THAT WILL NOT WORK...2 MY OVERDRIVE LITE FLASHES. TOOK CAR TO FORD DEALER AND PAID FOR 1 HR LABOR WITH NO RESULTS..I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE GETTING 4 OR 5 ERROR CODES ON TRANSMISSION, BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR ADDITIONAL LABOR FOR THEM TO DROP TRANSMISSION TO HOPEFULLY ISOLATE PROBLEM..THERE IS A 4/50K WARRANTY ON TRANSMISSION, AND I HAVE JUST OVER 70K. I WOULD THINK THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM, AND AM WONDERING EVENTHOUGH MILEAGE IS EXCEEDED, AM I STILL COVERED BY YEARS? *NM
I OWN A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. 2 PROBLEMS..1. POWER LIFTGATE DOES NOT WORK, CAUSING RUNNING BOARDS NOT TO DEPLOY..SOMETIMES I WAS ABLE TO PULL FUSE FOR LIFTGATE AND EVERYTHING WOULD RESET AND WORK FOR ABOUT 1 DAY. NOW THAT WILL NOT WORK...2 MY OVERDRIVE LITE FLASHES. TOOK CAR TO FORD DEALER AND PAID FOR 1 HR LABOR WITH NO RESULTS..I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE GETTING 4 OR 5 ERROR CODES ON TRANSMISSION, BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR ADDITIONAL LABOR FOR THEM TO DROP TRANSMISSION TO HOPEFULLY ISOLATE PROBLEM..THERE IS A 4/50K WARRANTY ON TRANSMISSION, AND I HAVE JUST OVER 70K. I WOULD THINK THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM, AND AM WONDERING EVENTHOUGH MILEAGE IS EXCEEDED, AM I STILL COVERED BY YEARS? *NM
I OWN A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. 2 PROBLEMS..1. POWER LIFTGATE DOES NOT WORK, CAUSING RUNNING BOARDS NOT TO DEPLOY..SOMETIMES I WAS ABLE TO PULL FUSE FOR LIFTGATE AND EVERYTHING WOULD RESET AND WORK FOR ABOUT 1 DAY. NOW THAT WILL NOT WORK...2 MY OVERDRIVE LITE FLASHES. TOOK CAR TO FORD DEALER AND PAID FOR 1 HR LABOR WITH NO RESULTS..I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE GETTING 4 OR 5 ERROR CODES ON TRANSMISSION, BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR ADDITIONAL LABOR FOR THEM TO DROP TRANSMISSION TO HOPEFULLY ISOLATE PROBLEM..THERE IS A 4/50K WARRANTY ON TRANSMISSION, AND I HAVE JUST OVER 70K. I WOULD THINK THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM, AND AM WONDERING EVENTHOUGH MILEAGE IS EXCEEDED, AM I STILL COVERED BY YEARS? *NM
NO WARNING/SYMPTOM CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED -10* OUTSIDE WITH ICY ROADS 7:00 PM MODERATE TRAFFIC ON FREEWAY ENGINE SHUT DOWN THIS IS A 1TON PICKUP GOING 55 MPH WITH VERY LITTLE STEERING CONTROL WITH LACK OF POWER STEERING. MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE FORD 7.3 DIESEL POOR DESIGN THIS IS ALSO A DEALER ONLY PART THAT COST $175.00 I WAS JUST GLAD I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. *JB
Mileage: 48,950
NO WARNING/SYMPTOM CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED -10* OUTSIDE WITH ICY ROADS 7:00 PM MODERATE TRAFFIC ON FREEWAY ENGINE SHUT DOWN THIS IS A 1TON PICKUP GOING 55 MPH WITH VERY LITTLE STEERING CONTROL WITH LACK OF POWER STEERING. MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE FORD 7.3 DIESEL POOR DESIGN THIS IS ALSO A DEALER ONLY PART THAT COST $175.00 I WAS JUST GLAD I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. *JB
Mileage: 48,950
I HAD A FIRE IN MY VEHICLE ON 6/26/2006 AND IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. TWO FIRE INVESTIGATORS DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ABS MODULE. I NOT ONLY LOST MY VEHICLE BUT MY WHOLE BUSINESS WHICH WAS IN THAT VEHICLE. BUT I HAVE GOTTEN NO RESPONSE FROM FORD. *NM
Mileage: 43,500
MY TRUCK IS A 03. I GOT IT WITH 32000 ON IT. I HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING IDEM ARM. AND SINCE I GOT THE TRUCK THIS TRUCK I HAVE A HAD PROBLEM WITH A SHOCKING IN MY FRONT END OF THE TRUCK WHEN I MAKE A TURN. I HAVE GONE BACK TO MY DEALER AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 OTHER PEOPLE PLUS FORD DEALER. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVE SHAFT. IT NEEDED GREASE. WELL, GUESS WHAT THAT DIDN'T WORK. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS TRUCK. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS TRUCK. MY DEALER WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF IT AND FORD DEALER WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THIS. I AM READY TO GIVE THIS TRUCK UP. I HATE THIS TRUCK. THIS IS MY DREAM TRUCK AND IT HAS BECAME A NIGHTMARE SINCE JAN OF THIS YEAR. I HAD A FORD RANGER AND NEVER HAD TO PUT THE KIND OF MONEY IN THAT TRUCK THEN I DO WITH THIS ONE. PLEASE HELP ME. THIS TRUCK SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE THIS FIX. MICHELLE HARDENBURGH OF SANDSTON. *NM
MY TRUCK IS A 03. I GOT IT WITH 32000 ON IT. I HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING IDEM ARM. AND SINCE I GOT THE TRUCK THIS TRUCK I HAVE A HAD PROBLEM WITH A SHOCKING IN MY FRONT END OF THE TRUCK WHEN I MAKE A TURN. I HAVE GONE BACK TO MY DEALER AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 OTHER PEOPLE PLUS FORD DEALER. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVE SHAFT. IT NEEDED GREASE. WELL, GUESS WHAT THAT DIDN'T WORK. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS TRUCK. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS TRUCK. MY DEALER WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF IT AND FORD DEALER WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THIS. I AM READY TO GIVE THIS TRUCK UP. I HATE THIS TRUCK. THIS IS MY DREAM TRUCK AND IT HAS BECAME A NIGHTMARE SINCE JAN OF THIS YEAR. I HAD A FORD RANGER AND NEVER HAD TO PUT THE KIND OF MONEY IN THAT TRUCK THEN I DO WITH THIS ONE. PLEASE HELP ME. THIS TRUCK SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE THIS FIX. MICHELLE HARDENBURGH OF SANDSTON. *NM
MY TRUCK IS A 03. I GOT IT WITH 32000 ON IT. I HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING IDEM ARM. AND SINCE I GOT THE TRUCK THIS TRUCK I HAVE A HAD PROBLEM WITH A SHOCKING IN MY FRONT END OF THE TRUCK WHEN I MAKE A TURN. I HAVE GONE BACK TO MY DEALER AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 OTHER PEOPLE PLUS FORD DEALER. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVE SHAFT. IT NEEDED GREASE. WELL, GUESS WHAT THAT DIDN'T WORK. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS TRUCK. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS TRUCK. MY DEALER WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF IT AND FORD DEALER WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THIS. I AM READY TO GIVE THIS TRUCK UP. I HATE THIS TRUCK. THIS IS MY DREAM TRUCK AND IT HAS BECAME A NIGHTMARE SINCE JAN OF THIS YEAR. I HAD A FORD RANGER AND NEVER HAD TO PUT THE KIND OF MONEY IN THAT TRUCK THEN I DO WITH THIS ONE. PLEASE HELP ME. THIS TRUCK SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE THIS FIX. MICHELLE HARDENBURGH OF SANDSTON. *NM
EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAKING. CAUSING EXHAUST LEAK AND EXHAUST FUMES INTO VEHICLE CABIN. *JB
Mileage: 14,200
Timing Belt Failure
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2003 Ford E550; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.