Major Problems with Ford E-250 Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used Ford E-250 to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

Ford E-250 complaint overview

166 recorded complaints across model years
Years covered 1999–2014
Most recorded categories TIRES (14), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (12), TREAD/BELT (10)
Highest recorded count 31 in 1999

Complaint counts are reports, not confirmed defect rates. Older model years have had more time to accumulate reports, and sales volume and reporting coverage differ by year. A higher count does not by itself make a year the least reliable, and these figures are not a failure probability.

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Problem category

Ford E-250 FlawScore

Best and Worst Years for Ford E-250

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of Ford E-250.

Model Year	Complaints
2014 E-250	5
2013 E-250	4
2012 E-250	7
2011 E-250	6
2010 E-250	8
2009 E-250	1
2008 E-250	4
2007 E-250	5
2006 E-250	9
2005 E-250	11
2004 E-250	6
2003 E-250	17
2002 E-250	16
2001 E-250	18
2000 E-250	18
1999 E-250	31

Worst 3 Ford E-250 complaints

2006 Ford E-250 EQUIPMENT Victims: 6 Mileage: 150 miles

2006 Ford E-250 STRUCTURE Victims: 4 Mileage: 1193 miles

2002 Ford E-250 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Victims: 4 Mileage: 36414 miles

Browse Ford E-250 complaints by category

Problems with TIRES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and TREAD/BELT are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Ford E-250 owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
TIRES tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford e-250 equipped with hankook tires tire line: dynapro as tire size: lt245/75r16. the...	14 ~ 14288 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM had 1st exhaust heat sensor go out last year approx. 50 000 miles. second one on 8/15/14 approx. 110 000...	12 ~ 42846 miles
TREAD/BELT > TIRES tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford e-250 equipped with hankook tires tire line: dynapro as tire size: lt245/75r16. the...	10 ~ 12980 miles
SUSPENSION tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford e-250. the contact was driving 72 mph when the contact experienced a steering...	10 ~ 39945 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING engine revs up while power brake petal is depressed and transmission is engaged. it revs up enough to overpower the	10 ~ 80175 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL tl*the driver owns a 2010 ford e-250. while driving approximately 15 mph the driver attempted to apply the brakes but...	9 ~ 43261 miles
ENGINE number 2 spark below out of the motor when driving...	8 ~ 79957 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC tl*the driver owns a 2010 ford e-250. while driving approximately 15 mph the driver attempted to apply the brakes but...	8 ~ 40886 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING no knowledge of anything wrong. a grinding noise started took it to the ford dealership that day now we need	8 ~ 56479 miles
AIR BAGS takata air bag ..while car was parked and ignition off for a couple of hours woke up the next morning...	7 ~ 56714 miles
POWER TRAIN this is the 11th ford we have replaced the transmission on. balsie ford in hyannis ma has now had the	7 ~ 51018 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN this is the third time this vehicle has been in for transmission work. now the dealer will only cover a...	6 ~ 24021 miles
WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ford has not notified their customers of the 04s22 safety recall as of 10/6/04. on dealer's notification posiibility of short...	6 ~ 45081 miles
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC vehicle will pull either right or left when applying the brakes. sometimes it will go into the other lane .this...	6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE my transmission went about two weeks ago. i was told that ford had bad transmissions in the years of my...	5 ~ 73400 miles
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM vehicle warning system indicated to safely stop truck immediately. truck would not restart. truck was towed to dealership (~60 miles)....	5 ~ 101400 miles
BODY > STRUCTURE driver's side door latch is broken. door will not remain closed which is a safety issue. the problem started about...	4 ~ 69500 miles
WHEELS vehicle had four new tires all of same brand and size one of the tires had a blow out replaced...	4 ~ 66623 miles
SERVICE BRAKES tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford e-250. while parked the contact noticed that the cover fell off of the...	4 ~ 93548 miles
STEERING tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford e-250. the contact was driving 72 mph when the contact experienced a steering...	4 ~ 8237 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS dt*: the contact stated while driving 35 mph around a curve an accident occurred trying to avoid an on-coming vehicle....	4 ~ 22854 miles
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING this van's motor ceased up for no reason according to the dealership. there was plenty of oil. this should not	4 ~ 40000 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER possible passenger seat belt fire in unoccupied parked vehicle. this van was in business parking lot unoccupied when a vehicle...	3 ~ 75000 miles
DOOR > BODY > STRUCTURE the interior grab handle is used to climb into the truck. due to a weak design the handle breaks causing	3 ~ 7333 miles
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY tl*contact owns a 2006 ford e250. while driving 40 mph the electronic mobility control system failed. the contact was unable...	3 ~ 21718 miles
FRONT > SUSPENSION dt*: the contact stated that the front suspension started to shake while entering a bridge at 65 mph during normal...	3 ~ 3343 miles
SEAT BELTS possible passenger seat belt fire in unoccupied parked vehicle. this van was in business parking lot unoccupied when a vehicle...	2 ~ 100000 miles
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL these vehicles have a roll over stability control system that is defective. if the wind is blowing the roll over...	2 ~ 62700 miles
12V/24V/48V BATTERY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM loss of instruments in 2003 f250 diesel with 50 153 miles. fuse replaced by service center and instruments came on....	2 ~ 25052 miles
REAR > SUSPENSION rear spring shackle rust out. *tr...	2 ~ 63000 miles
AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT thru testing by a industrial hygentist we have proof that our handicapped van customed in miss in 2005 and sold...	2 ~ 2097 miles
RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT while driving at any speed and when turning the steering wheel column will not come back to the original position....	2 ~ 1900 miles
TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE vehicle has a 29 gallon fuel tank. when the fuel gauge reads empty and i fuel up the vehicle it...	2 ~ 33 miles
FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC master cyclinder went out side doors needed to be aligned oil leak head gasket brakes not operating properly hard starting	2
PADS > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford e-250. while driving various speeds and depressing the brake pedal a snapping sound...	1 ~ 24000 miles
RADIATOR ASSEMBLY > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford e-250. the contact stated that the radiator was leaking. the vehicle was not...	1 ~ 57000 miles
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM loss of instruments in 2003 f250 diesel with 50 153 miles. fuse replaced by service center and instruments came on....	1 ~ 50103 miles
ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING loss of instruments in 2003 f250 diesel with 50 153 miles. fuse replaced by service center and instruments came on....	1 ~ 50103 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING a short while after owning the vehicle the brake light bulbs burnt out. i've had to replace all the brake...	1 ~ 10000 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC 1999 ford e-250 1999 truck abs and brake light stays on and brakes are all good. don't let auto owners	1 ~ 105000 miles
HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford e-250 econoline van. the contact stated while driving at 27 mph downhill the...	1 ~ 158563 miles
EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia) 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) spark plug ejection or blowout i have...	1 ~ 187000 miles
MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING i started to hear exhaust noise on my 2001 ford f250 super duty with a v10 engine with only 53...	1 ~ 53240 miles
OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL > OTHER > EQUIPMENT ford e250 van 9000#gvw. no rear seats owners manual states a on/off switch for passenger side air bag for small...	1
ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY > AIR BAGS ford e250 van 9000#gvw. no rear seats owners manual states a on/off switch for passenger side air bag for small...	1
MODULE > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM failure of cam position sensor on 2002 ford f250 diesel. motor stops working lost of power steering and all power...	1 ~ 40000 miles
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns 2004 ford e 250. the contact stated in order to remove his keys from the ignition...	1 ~ 9400 miles
SEATS tl* the contact owns 2004 ford e 250. the contact stated in order to remove his keys from the ignition...	1 ~ 9400 miles
EQUIPMENT ford 2005 e250 has been identified with formaldehyde poison in it at above danger levels to humans which can cause...	1 ~ 150 miles
STRUCTURE thru testing by a industrial hygentist we have proof that our handicapped van customed in miss in 2005 and sold...	1 ~ 1193 miles
EXTERIOR > REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY dt: the contact stated both side exterior rear view mirrors did not provide sufficient driver visibility. he took the vehicle...	1 ~ 99 miles
CRUISE CONTROL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ford has recalls on 1994-2002 ford truck 8500 gvw and under i have a 2002 f250 ford 8600 gvw that...	1 ~ 90000 miles
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS dt: contact's vehicle was involved in an accident on july 18 2005. the vehicle did not belong to the contact...	1
TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE > TIRES spare tire on 2000 ford econoline 250 was defective and could not be used. oung ford in charlotte nc denies...	1
CATALYTIC CONVERTOR > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM total catalytic converter failure at 51 000 miles. sat at dealership from jan 3 2006 to april 7 2005 waiting	1 ~ 51000 miles
ARM > SPINDLE > KNUCKLE a ford 2003 van with 30 000 miles experiences a steering failure when the pitman arm broke off the bottom...	1 ~ 30427 miles
LOWER BALL JOINT > CONTROL ARM > FRONT 1999 ford e250 cargo van 24k miles all 4 ball joints failed. replacement scheduled will retain parts. know of two...	1 ~ 24600 miles
UPPER BALL JOINT > CONTROL ARM > FRONT 1999 ford e250 cargo van 24k miles all 4 ball joints failed. replacement scheduled will retain parts. know of two...	1 ~ 24600 miles
PUMP > HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST > STEERING power steering leaks and pump failure on 2000 ford econline e250. vehicles had pumps relaced. *ak...	1 ~ 44038 miles
INTERIOR LIGHTING while driving at any speed and when turning the steering wheel column will not come back to the original position....	1 ~ 3800 miles
BACK UP LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING while driving at any speed and when turning the steering wheel column will not come back to the original position....	1 ~ 3800 miles
SHAFT PITMAN > GEAR BOX > STEERING while driving at any speed and when turning the steering wheel column will not come back to the original position....	1 ~ 3800 miles
LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS > WHEELS the ford van e-250 2003 were produced and sold with the wrong lug wrench. can not change my tires because...	1
CONTROL UNIT/MODULE > ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC when braking at 25 mph the brakes had gone to the floor. the consumer had to pump the brakes in...	1 ~ 39631 miles
PEDALS AND LINKAGES > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC the brake pedal had to pushed all the way to the floor consumer also pressed on the accelerator by accident.	1
GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM consumer purchased vehicle new on 04/30/01. while driving on a daily basis consumer would experience nausea burning eyes severe headaches...	1
COOLING UNIT AND LINES > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN consumer stated while traveling on wet pavement and when depressing brakes vehicle went into extended stopping distance. *ak consumer stated	1
COLUMN > STEERING very bad bump and clunking sound from steering when going over rough surfaces at slow speeds or when going down...	1 ~ 1661 miles
GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) > STEERING vehicle will wander off to the left and right intermittently. consumer took vehicle to the dealership and they replaced steering	1
TAILGATE > BODY > STRUCTURE it was a handicap conversion purchased through coachcraft in brownsville payed for on feb 5 1999.the actual conversion done by...	1
STABILIZER BAR > FRONT > SUSPENSION the vehicle swayed when driving at a high rate of speed. the mechanic noticed a stabilizer bar had not been	1 ~ 100 miles
TIE ROD ASSEMBLY > LINKAGES > STEERING 1999 ford econoline with multiple issues. consumer states that this vehicle has multiple issues with breaking down. he also states...	1
MASTER CYLINDER > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC master cyclinder went out side doors needed to be aligned oil leak head gasket brakes not operating properly hard starting	1
EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1999 ford econoline with multiple issues. consumer states that this vehicle has multiple issues with breaking down. he also states...	1
ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 1999 ford econoline with multiple issues. consumer states that this vehicle has multiple issues with breaking down. he also states...	1
ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT > WINDSHIELD > DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM the hi/lo fan switch burned out. toxic fumes entered vehicle. suffered headaches & upset stomach. later on a fire caused	1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER gas leaked from the fuel filler valve when the vehicle was being refueled (cng). *nlm...	1
MOTOR > WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY 1999 ford econoline with multiple issues. consumer states that this vehicle has multiple issues with breaking down. he also states...	1
FRONT UNDERHOOD > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM the hi/lo fan switch burned out. toxic fumes entered vehicle. suffered headaches & upset stomach. later on a fire caused	1
SEAL > AXLE SHAFT > AXLE ASSEMBLY 1999 ford econoline with multiple issues. consumer states that this vehicle has multiple issues with breaking down. he also states...	1
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM > SPRINGS > FRONT when driving vehicle pulls to the left causing poor vehicle control. consumer has contacted the dealer. please provide any further	1

FAQ

What year Ford E-250 is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 16 years, Ford E-250 models of 2009, 2013, 2008 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for Ford E-250?

Ford E-250 models of 1999 and 2000 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

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