FORD E 150 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used FORD E 150 options? We analyzed 10 model years (2005–2014) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Free VIN check
Found a FORD E 150? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the FORD E 150 has 422 owner complaints and 8 safety recalls across model years 2005–2014. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2008 drew the most complaints; 2014 drew the fewest.
- Make
- FORD
- Model
- E 150
- Model years analyzed
- 2005–2014 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 422
- Safety recall campaigns
- 8
- Crash-related complaints
- 29
- Fire-related complaints
- 2
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2008 (266 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2014 (6 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
FORD E 150: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe FORD E 150 has 422 NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. 29 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 422 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 8 federal recall campaigns
- 29 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
8 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
EQUIPMENT
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2005–2014. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 422 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
422 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
THE VAN WANDERS BACK AND FORTH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (> 60MPH). I HAD THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND SUSPENSION CHECKED OUT - ALL OK. PROBLEM GETS WORSE WHEN PULLING A 5000 LB CAMPER - ALMOST A SAFETY ISSUE.
I ONLY HAVE 8000 MILES ON IT, AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS SHAKING WHEN I TOUCH THE BRAKES. IT ALSO HAS SQUEAKED FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY DIDN'T HEAR THE SQUEAK. IT IS ONLY WHEN I BACK UP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD E-I50. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PAD WAS GRINDING THE ROTOR AND CAUSED THE STEERING TO PULL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE DEALER SHAVED THE ROTOR AND REPLACED THE PADS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A MONTH LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY SHAVED THE ROTOR AND REPLACED THE PADS AGAIN, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING THE WAY IT SHOULD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,426.
WHEN STARTED 3 SEPARATE TIMES 4X4 WAS ENGAGED BY ITSELF JUST BARELY TOUCHED 4WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH AND IT WENT OFF ALSO DID IT AGAIN WHEN I WAS DRIVING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 (NA) FORD E-150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT ALL THE REAR WINDOWS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. UPDATED 4/7/15*CN UPDATED 04/09/15*JB
ON JUNE 10, 2014 I LEFT MY OFFICE AND TRAVELED ACROSS THE PARKING DRIVEWAY AT ABOUT 7 MPH, A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 150 FEET WHERE I ATTEMPTED TO STOP(USING MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE) BEFORE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN ONTO A BUSY FAST MOVING STREET. AT THIS POINT MY FOOT HIT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME (THEY ARE EXTREMELY CLOSE) CAUSING ME TO SUDDENLY LURCH FORWARD TOWARD THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC COMING FROM MY LEFT. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY USE MY LEFT FOOT TO POWER BRAKE AND SAFELY STOP MY VEHICLE. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME IN 250 MILES OF CITY DRIVING MY NEW VEHICLE THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED, BUT THE FIRST TIME I RECORDED THE TIME AND DATE OF THE INCIDENT, REALIZING THERE WAS A DESIGN ISSUE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM, I CAN SEE MANY REAR END ACCIDENTS BEING CAUSED BY THIS DESIGN. SINCE I STILL OWN A 2004 FORD E150 VAN, SIDE BY SIDE MEASUREMENT COMPARISONS WERE EASILY MADE AND I THINK I CAN SEE WHAT HAS HAPPENED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAS BEEN RAISED ABOUT AN INCH AND A QUARTER HIGHER THAN MY 2004 VAN AND IS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER INCH CLOSER TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN ADDITION BECAUSE OF THE LARGE ENGINE COWLING, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS LOCATED MOSTLY TO THE LEFT OF CENTER OF THE CENTER LINE OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH FORCES THE DRIVER TO EFFECTIVELY CROSS OVER AWKWARDLY TO HIT THE CENTER OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS IS A VERY UNNATURAL MOTION NOT REQUIRED ON ANY VEHICLES THAT I LOOKED AT BEFORE CONTACTING YOU. IF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN EVEN SLIGHTLY FROM THE RIGHT HAND SIDE/EDGE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL (NORMAL HABIT BY MOST DRIVERS REVIEWING WEAR PATTERNS ON BRAKE PEDALS OF MANY VEHICLES AT MY OFFICE COMPLEX) THE BOTTOM OF A MAN'S RIGHT SHOE WILL ALMOST ALWAYS BE SOMEWHAT OVER THE ACCELERATOR, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR DUAL/SIMULTANEOUS BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PUSHING IS CREATED. *JS
Read 14 more owner reports
Front end camber toe in has been adjusted but keeps toeing in makes tires wear. Hard to keep going straight allways sways. Dashboard stops working and windows don't work. Started doing this at around 100,000 miles. Will turn back on and off. Sometimes gas pedal stops working Can't tell speed. There are a lot of these happening to this model
ENGINE STALLING AT RED LIGHTS INTERMITTENT. NO ENGINE LIGHT. IN TOWN. NO POWER STEERING ALMOST CAUSE ACCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES.
WHILE IN MOTION TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY I HEARD A BANG AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO KNOCK AND A SOUND OF AIR WAS COMING FROM ENGINE AND LOST HORSE-POWER. I FOUND THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE #3 CYLINDER. I HAD TO REPAIR, AND NOW THE PLUG HAS DROPPED DOWN, MAY HAVE TO SPEND UP TO $3,000 TO REPAIR/REPLACE ALUMINUM HEADS.
VAN HAD TROUBLE STARTING SO TOOK IT TO DEALER, THINKING IT MIGHT BE PLUG/INJECTOR-RELATED. SHOP CONTACT INDICATED LEAK IN FUEL RAIL, DUMPING GAS ONTO ENGINE POTENTIALLY RESULTING SOMETHING THAT COULD IGNITE AND EXPLODE. THE 2007 SERIES 150/250/350 WITH THE LARGE 5.4 (?)L V-8 ALREADY HAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. THOUGHT IT WOULD BE WISE TO POINT OUT SAME PROBLEM WITH MY WITH THE 4.6L V-8. VAN HAS ~43K MILES.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME A HEAR ABOUT AN AIR BAG THAT BLOWS BY IT SELF,, ON TOP OF IT, IN THE PARKING LOT WHEN THERE WAS NOBODY INSIDE. I ASKED FORD TO SEE IF BY ANY CHANCE THERE'S SOME RECALLS ABOUT THAT SITUATION AND THEY SAID NO ... GOOD THING THAT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WHEN THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING...CAN JUST IMAGINE THE SCENE... THANK YOU.. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD E-150. WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE FUEL LEAKAGE AND A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL RAIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V057000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD E-150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLUID LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. UPDATED 9/4/14*CN
SPARK PLUGS ARE BREAKING DURING REPLACEMENT. BAD SPARK PLUG DESIGN, SPARK PLUGS CAUSE RUNNING ISSUES, IF THEY BREAK- AND FALL INTO THE CYLINDER- THEN IT BECOMES AN EVEN MORE EXPENSIVE REPAIR. A DEFINITE FLAW ON FORD'S PART. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY ABRUPT FORCE TO THE BRAKES AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,400. UPDATED 05/31/12*LJ
THE BRAKE PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO THE GAS PEDAL. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, I OFTEN ALSO DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND END UP ACCELERATING WHEN I MEANT TO BRAKE. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
FAULTY AIR VALVES. EVERY TIRE AIR VALVE HAS FAILED IN MY 2007 FORD F150. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD E-150. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK HAS FAILED. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD THE LOCK UNLATCH, BUT THE DOOR DID NOT OPEN. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT FOUND NOTHING UNUSUAL. WHILE TRAVELING BACK HOME, THE FAILURE RECURRED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY LUBRICATED THE LOCK AND ADJUSTED THE COMPONENTS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE UNTIL THE FAILURE OCCURS IN THEIR PRESENCE. THE VIN AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,200.
BRAKE SYSTEM CAME ON MY TRUCK DID WANT TO STOP ON CITY STREET THE BRAKE SYSTEMCAME ON MY SKID WILL COME ON
SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT
Showing 20 of 422 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact FORD E 150
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used FORD E 150, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The FORD E 150 has 422 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The FORD E 150 has 8 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 29 of the FORD E 150's 422 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all FORD E 150 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two FORD E 150 vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The FORD E 150 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
Compare
Buyers also compare
How does the FORD E 150 stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
Explore
Other FORD models
By state
Check a FORD E 150 by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used FORD E 150.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
FORD E 150 reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the FORD E 150 reliable?
Poor. The FORD E 150 has 422 NHTSA owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which FORD E 150 years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2008 (266 complaints), 2011 (46 complaints), 2005 (26 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common FORD E 150 problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (77 complaints); POWER TRAIN (52 complaints); STRUCTURE (52 complaints).
Does the FORD E 150 have recalls?
Yes — 8 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the FORD E 150. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.