U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Ford E-250 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

17 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

50,103 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 13 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 17 complaints (17.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Steering behavior	4	23.5%
Braking behavior	3	17.6%
Electrical and battery issues	3	17.6%

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.

Electrical System

Electrical System:Wiring

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Tires

Vehicle Speed Control

Air Bags

Air Bags:Frontal

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Electrical System	3
Electrical System:Wiring	2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	2
Tires	2
Vehicle Speed Control	2
Air Bags	1
Air Bags:Frontal	1
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	1

Electrical System: 3; Electrical System:Wiring: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Tires: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 4 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.

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2009

2011

2012

2013

2016

2003: 1; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2009: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2016: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 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.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10057231 · 2004-01-30 (January 30, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING FRONT END SUSPENSION CAUSED STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE WHEN DRIVING AND HITTING ROUGH OR UNEVEN SURFACES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, BUT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE VIBRATION PROBLEM.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057231 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10087673 · 2004-08-11 (August 11, 2004)

WHEN DRIVING 55 MPH OR MORE STEERING VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10087673 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10092734 · 2004-09-20 (September 20, 2004)

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY IT CAUGHTON FIRE. ELECTRICAL/ABS SYSTEM'S WAS THE DEFECTIVE. MANUFACTURER URGED CONSUMER TO FILE A COMPLAINT. RECALL 04V444000. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10092734 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10407294 · 2011-06-17 (June 17, 2011)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE GEARS WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE ABS LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WAS A FEE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V444000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING) THAT MAY BE RELATED T…

Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10407294 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

17 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

76.5%Usable mileage13 / 17 records

100.0%Valid incident date17 / 17 records

100.0%Valid filing date17 / 17 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates17 / 17 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2016	2017	2022	2023
Tires	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	111.1% ODI 10565131 2010 FORD E250. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TIRES RECALL NOTICE. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACEMENT TIRES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON MARCH 15, 2013, SHE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH ONE OF THE TIRES. AN INSPECTION REVEALED A BULGE ON THE SIDEWALL. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THE TIRES DID NOT MEET THE OEM SPECIFICATIONS. ALL OF THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 862.94. UPON RECEIPT OF THE RECALL, THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE SPARE TIRE ON THE VAN, AND DISCOVERED IT WAS ONE OF THE RECA… Look up ODI 10565131 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 10617968 · 38,000 mi VEHICLE HAD FOUR NEW TIRES ALL OF SAME BRAND AND SIZE ONE OF THE TIRES HAD A BLOW OUT, REPLACED THE TIRE WITH NEW TIRE OF SAME BRAND AND SIZE. ONE WEEK LATER ANOTHER TIRE STARTED VIBRATING SO WE TOOK IT IN AND THEY CHECKED IT AND FOUND THE TREAD IS SEPARATING FROM THE CARCASS. I HAD THEM PULL ALL FOUR TIRES AND REPLACE WITH NEW TIRES OF DIFFERENT BRAND. I KEPT THE FOUR TIRES AND CHECKED FOR ANY RECALLS. THIS PARTICULAR TIRE DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL YET BUT ANOTHER SIMILAR DOES. THE TIRES WE HAVE ARE THE HANKOOK DYNAPRO AS LT245/75R16 THE TIRE THE… Look up ODI 10617968 at NHTSA ↗	218.2% ODI 10616333 · 11,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD E-250 EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK TIRES, TIRE LINE: DYNAPRO AS, TIRE SIZE: LT245/75R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGERS SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON BOTH THE VEHICLE AND THE TIRES WAS 11,000. UPDATED 9/4/14CN THE COMSUMER STATED THE TIRE LOOKS AS IF IT CONTAINS DRY ROT. UPDATED 12/18/2014 JS Look up ODI 10616333 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Tires:Tread/Belt	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	19.1% ODI 11440788 The contact owns a 2013 Ford E-250 equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: Discoverer A/T, Tire Size: 245/75/16, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated that while he was inspecting the rear tires, he noticed that the tires were cracked with tread separation. The contact called a tire shop and the tires were replaced with another brand of tires. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate tire failure mileage was 10,000. The vehicle failure mileage was not provided. Look up ODI 11440788 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	222.2% ODI 10519816 · 67,854 mi BRAKES LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT RELEASE NOR SLOW THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN CRASH. *TR Look up ODI 10519816 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	225.0% ODI 10630825 · 50,000 mi HAD 1ST EXHAUST HEAT SENSOR GO OUT LAST YEAR APPROX. 50,000 MILES. SECOND ONE ON 8/15/14 APPROX. 110,000 MILES THIRD ONE ON 9/1/14 APPROX. 113,000 MILES ALL THREE TIMES LEFT ME STRANDED ON BUSY INTERSTATE HI-WAY. HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY SO COVERED FOR PARTS AND LABOR LESS THE 100.00 DEDUCTIBLE. BUT WITH OUT MY TRUCK FOR 2 TO 3 DAYS EACH TIME OVER A 40.00 PART. *TR Look up ODI 10630825 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine	150.0% ODI 11513410 · 95,484 mi The contact owns a 2009 Ford E-250. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be serviced and was informed that the catalytic converters and an unknown sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,484. Look up ODI 11513410 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 11021315 · 95,000 mi SPARK PLUG WAS PUSHED OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD BY CYLINDER COMPRESSION RESULTING IN POWER LOSS AND FIRE CONCERN. THESE ARE FACTORY INSTALLED SPARK PLUGS AND HAVE NEVER BEEN SERVICED. THE CONDITION OCCURRED AFTER A 200 MILE TRIP. THIS VEHICLE HAS 95K MILES AND HAS BEEN ROUTINELY SERVICED. Look up ODI 11021315 at NHTSA ↗	233.3% ODI 10621472 · 36,606 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE UREA PUMP WAS CONTAMINATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,606. JCC Look up ODI 10621472 at NHTSA ↗	112.5% ODI 10693668 · 49,000 mi VEHICLE WARNING SYSTEM INDICATED TO SAFELY STOP TRUCK IMMEDIATELY. TRUCK WOULD NOT RESTART. TRUCK WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP (~60 MILES). FORD REPLACED ONE OF THE EXHAUST GAS SENSORS UNDER WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND IT WOULD PROBABLY HAPPEN AGAIN. MARCH OF 2015 SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES, VEHICLE WARNING SYSTEMS INDICATED TO SAFELY STOP TRUCK IMMEDIATELY. TRUCK CONTINUED RUNNING AND DROVE THE 80 MILES BACK TO DEALERSHIP. MILEAGE AT THE DATE OF THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS ~54,500. A DIFFERENT EXH… Look up ODI 10693668 at NHTSA ↗	19.1% ODI 11507184 The vehicle Blew a spark plug while driving. It took place right as I attempted to accelerate up to highway speed of 50 MPH. When I had it checked the mechanic said the number 3 plug was blown out and I had a busted injector. Vehicle mileage is 164k. The repair was over $1100.00 with none being covered under my full coverage insurance policy. I need to let others know what to expect from their Ford vehicle... Found out that this is a frequent problem with Ford Engines 5.4 Liter V-8.. Look up ODI 11507184 at NHTSA ↗	342.9% ODI 11151284 · 123,500 mi NUMBER 2 SPARK BELOW OUT OF THE MOTOR,WHEN DRIVING Look up ODI 11151284 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Vehicle Speed Control	150.0% ODI 10311835 · 287 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY AND IT IS USED OCCASIONALLY. ON JANUARY 29TH THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE. SHE STATES AFTER THE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE MOTOR WAS LEFT RUNNING. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO TAKE OFF ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT STATES THE GENTLEMEN IN THE VEHICLE TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT IT BEGAN TO PICK UP SPEED. SHE STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BACKING UP THERE WERE NO LIGHTS INDICATING THE VEHICLE WAS BACKING UP. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOT FORWARD AND THE REVERSE LIGHTS … Look up ODI 10311835 at NHTSA ↗	222.2% ODI 10378797 TL*THE DRIVER OWNS A 2010 FORD E-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE PEDAL WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE THEN SURGED FORWARD UNTIL IT CRASHED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR NOT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE. Look up ODI 10378797 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	19.1% ODI 11452199 · 53,200 mi The contact owns a 2013 Ford E-250. The contact stated that while driving at a very low rate of speed while approaching a stoplight the driver depressed the brake pedal to stop and the vehicle erroneously accelerated forward and crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. During the incident, no injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic but the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 53,200. Look up ODI 11452199 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	50,103 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10092734 · 20,000 mi WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY IT CAUGHTON FIRE. ELECTRICAL/ABS SYSTEM'S WAS THE DEFECTIVE. MANUFACTURER URGED CONSUMER TO FILE A COMPLAINT. RECALL 04V444000. AK Look up ODI 10092734 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10413775 · 50,103 mi LOSS OF INSTRUMENTS IN 2003 F250 DIESEL WITH 50,153 MILES. FUSE REPLACED BY SERVICE CENTER AND INSTRUMENTS CAME ON. 3 DAYS LATER THEY WENT OFF WHILE IN 4 WHEEL LOW AND THE THE ENGINE STOPPED (BATTERY'S DEAD). I HAD NO CONTROL OVER STEERING AND WENT OFF THE ROAD. REPAIR OF DAMAGED WIRING IN STEERING COLUMN FIXED PROBLEM. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ON THE WEB AND KNOWN TO THE SERVICE CENTERS I HAVE CONTACTED. IF WIRING IS WORN IN A 50,000 MILE TRUCK I WOULD THINK IT PROBABLY WILL OCCUR IN SIMILAR MODELS. THE TRUCK COULD HAVE SUSTAINED… Look up ODI 10413775 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10531554 · 60,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM KNOWING IF THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000. *TR Look up ODI 10531554 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Wiring	Too few reports for a range	50,103 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10413775 · 50,103 mi LOSS OF INSTRUMENTS IN 2003 F250 DIESEL WITH 50,153 MILES. FUSE REPLACED BY SERVICE CENTER AND INSTRUMENTS CAME ON. 3 DAYS LATER THEY WENT OFF WHILE IN 4 WHEEL LOW AND THE THE ENGINE STOPPED (BATTERY'S DEAD). I HAD NO CONTROL OVER STEERING AND WENT OFF THE ROAD. REPAIR OF DAMAGED WIRING IN STEERING COLUMN FIXED PROBLEM. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ON THE WEB AND KNOWN TO THE SERVICE CENTERS I HAVE CONTACTED. IF WIRING IS WORN IN A 50,000 MILE TRUCK I WOULD THINK IT PROBABLY WILL OCCUR IN SIMILAR MODELS. THE TRUCK COULD HAVE SUSTAINED… Look up ODI 10413775 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Too few reports for a range	88,818 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10407294 · 84,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE GEARS WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE ABS LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WAS A FEE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V444000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING) THAT MAY BE RELATED T… Look up ODI 10407294 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10419442 · 93,636 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL PINHOLE IN THE BRAKE LINES THAT DEVELOPED DUE TO CORROSION. AS A RESULT, BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAI… Look up ODI 10419442 at NHTSA ↗
Tires	Too few reports for a range	114,800 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10265082 · 114,800 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-250. THE VEHICLE HAS TRAIL KING A/S MUD N SNOW LOAD RANGE E TIRES, SIZE LT235 85 R1. THE CONTACT NOTICED PULSATION AND VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END OF HIS VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH. A WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH AGAIN, THE VIBRATION WORSENED. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, THE TREAD SEPARATED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED, WHICH RESULTED IN $1,900 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE … Look up ODI 10265082 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	Too few reports for a range	170,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10454526 · 170,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING, THE VEHICLE SURGED IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. Look up ODI 10454526 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	Too few reports for a range	27,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10255999 · 27,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E250. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A LIGHTPOLE AND SEVERAL TREES. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 27,000. UPDATED 03/04/09. LJ UPDATED 03/04/09. *JB Look up ODI 10255999 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Frontal	Too few reports for a range	55,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10161324 · 55,000 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AROUND A CURVE AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED TRYING TO AVOID AN ON-COMING VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HIT A RAILROAD POST. THIS LAUNCHED THE VEHICLE INTO A CREEK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, HOWEVER THE SEAT BELTS DID RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. DUE TO THE AIR BAG'S FAILURE TO DEPLOY, THE CONTACT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESCUED THE CONTACT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS PROCESSED AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT.AK UPDATED 08/08/06. *JB Look up ODI 10161324 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	Too few reports for a range	50,103 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10413775 · 50,103 mi LOSS OF INSTRUMENTS IN 2003 F250 DIESEL WITH 50,153 MILES. FUSE REPLACED BY SERVICE CENTER AND INSTRUMENTS CAME ON. 3 DAYS LATER THEY WENT OFF WHILE IN 4 WHEEL LOW AND THE THE ENGINE STOPPED (BATTERY'S DEAD). I HAD NO CONTROL OVER STEERING AND WENT OFF THE ROAD. REPAIR OF DAMAGED WIRING IN STEERING COLUMN FIXED PROBLEM. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ON THE WEB AND KNOWN TO THE SERVICE CENTERS I HAVE CONTACTED. IF WIRING IS WORN IN A 50,000 MILE TRUCK I WOULD THINK IT PROBABLY WILL OCCUR IN SIMILAR MODELS. THE TRUCK COULD HAVE SUSTAINED… Look up ODI 10413775 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2022: 0 complaints · 2023: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2022	0	0	0
2023	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2022	0	0	1
2023	0	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Electrical System	Electrical System:Wiring	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Tires	Vehicle Speed Control	Air Bags	Air Bags:Frontal	Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
Electrical System	—	1 ODI 10413775 · 50,103 mi LOSS OF INSTRUMENTS IN 2003 F250 DIESEL WITH 50,153 MILES. FUSE REPLACED BY SERVICE CENTER AND INSTRUMENTS CAME ON. 3 DAYS LATER THEY WENT OFF WHILE IN 4 WHEEL LOW AND THE THE ENGINE STOPPED (BATTERY'S DEAD). I HAD NO CONTROL OVER STEERING AND WENT OFF THE ROAD. REPAIR OF DAMAGED WIRING IN STEERING COLUMN FIXED PROBLEM. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ON THE WEB AND KNOWN TO THE SERVICE CENTERS I HAVE CONTACTED. IF WIRING IS WORN IN A 50,000 MILE TRUCK I WOULD THINK IT PROBABLY WILL OCCUR IN SIMILAR MODELS. THE TRUCK COULD HAVE SUSTAINED… Look up ODI 10413775 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10413775 · 50,103 mi LOSS OF INSTRUMENTS IN 2003 F250 DIESEL WITH 50,153 MILES. FUSE REPLACED BY SERVICE CENTER AND INSTRUMENTS CAME ON. 3 DAYS LATER THEY WENT OFF WHILE IN 4 WHEEL LOW AND THE THE ENGINE STOPPED (BATTERY'S DEAD). I HAD NO CONTROL OVER STEERING AND WENT OFF THE ROAD. REPAIR OF DAMAGED WIRING IN STEERING COLUMN FIXED PROBLEM. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ON THE WEB AND KNOWN TO THE SERVICE CENTERS I HAVE CONTACTED. IF WIRING IS WORN IN A 50,000 MILE TRUCK I WOULD THINK IT PROBABLY WILL OCCUR IN SIMILAR MODELS. THE TRUCK COULD HAVE SUSTAINED… Look up ODI 10413775 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Wiring	1 ODI 10413775 · 50,103 mi LOSS OF INSTRUMENTS IN 2003 F250 DIESEL WITH 50,153 MILES. FUSE REPLACED BY SERVICE CENTER AND INSTRUMENTS CAME ON. 3 DAYS LATER THEY WENT OFF WHILE IN 4 WHEEL LOW AND THE THE ENGINE STOPPED (BATTERY'S DEAD). I HAD NO CONTROL OVER STEERING AND WENT OFF THE ROAD. REPAIR OF DAMAGED WIRING IN STEERING COLUMN FIXED PROBLEM. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ON THE WEB AND KNOWN TO THE SERVICE CENTERS I HAVE CONTACTED. IF WIRING IS WORN IN A 50,000 MILE TRUCK I WOULD THINK IT PROBABLY WILL OCCUR IN SIMILAR MODELS. THE TRUCK COULD HAVE SUSTAINED… Look up ODI 10413775 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10413775 · 50,103 mi LOSS OF INSTRUMENTS IN 2003 F250 DIESEL WITH 50,153 MILES. FUSE REPLACED BY SERVICE CENTER AND INSTRUMENTS CAME ON. 3 DAYS LATER THEY WENT OFF WHILE IN 4 WHEEL LOW AND THE THE ENGINE STOPPED (BATTERY'S DEAD). I HAD NO CONTROL OVER STEERING AND WENT OFF THE ROAD. REPAIR OF DAMAGED WIRING IN STEERING COLUMN FIXED PROBLEM. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ON THE WEB AND KNOWN TO THE SERVICE CENTERS I HAVE CONTACTED. IF WIRING IS WORN IN A 50,000 MILE TRUCK I WOULD THINK IT PROBABLY WILL OCCUR IN SIMILAR MODELS. THE TRUCK COULD HAVE SUSTAINED… Look up ODI 10413775 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Tires	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Vehicle Speed Control	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Air Bags	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Air Bags:Frontal	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	1 ODI 10413775 · 50,103 mi LOSS OF INSTRUMENTS IN 2003 F250 DIESEL WITH 50,153 MILES. FUSE REPLACED BY SERVICE CENTER AND INSTRUMENTS CAME ON. 3 DAYS LATER THEY WENT OFF WHILE IN 4 WHEEL LOW AND THE THE ENGINE STOPPED (BATTERY'S DEAD). I HAD NO CONTROL OVER STEERING AND WENT OFF THE ROAD. REPAIR OF DAMAGED WIRING IN STEERING COLUMN FIXED PROBLEM. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ON THE WEB AND KNOWN TO THE SERVICE CENTERS I HAVE CONTACTED. IF WIRING IS WORN IN A 50,000 MILE TRUCK I WOULD THINK IT PROBABLY WILL OCCUR IN SIMILAR MODELS. THE TRUCK COULD HAVE SUSTAINED… Look up ODI 10413775 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10413775 · 50,103 mi LOSS OF INSTRUMENTS IN 2003 F250 DIESEL WITH 50,153 MILES. FUSE REPLACED BY SERVICE CENTER AND INSTRUMENTS CAME ON. 3 DAYS LATER THEY WENT OFF WHILE IN 4 WHEEL LOW AND THE THE ENGINE STOPPED (BATTERY'S DEAD). I HAD NO CONTROL OVER STEERING AND WENT OFF THE ROAD. REPAIR OF DAMAGED WIRING IN STEERING COLUMN FIXED PROBLEM. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ON THE WEB AND KNOWN TO THE SERVICE CENTERS I HAVE CONTACTED. IF WIRING IS WORN IN A 50,000 MILE TRUCK I WOULD THINK IT PROBABLY WILL OCCUR IN SIMILAR MODELS. THE TRUCK COULD HAVE SUSTAINED… Look up ODI 10413775 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

2 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 5.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 93,636 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10419442 · 93,636 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL PINHOLE IN THE BRAKE LINES THAT DEVELOPED DUE TO CORROSION. AS A RESULT, BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAI…

Look up ODI 10419442 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 5.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 84,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10407294 · 84,000 mi

Look up ODI 10407294 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b