FORD E 250 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used FORD E 250 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.
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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 250 has 77 owner complaints and 166 safety recalls across model years 2005–2014. The most reported issue area is ENGINE. 2005 drew the most complaints; 2009 drew the fewest.
- Make
- FORD
- Model
- E 250
- Model years analyzed
- 2005–2014 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 77
- Safety recall campaigns
- 166
- Crash-related complaints
- 12
- Fire-related complaints
- 4
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2005 (11 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2009 (2 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE
- Reliability signal
- Average
By model year
FORD E 250: 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
AverageThe FORD E 250 has 77 NHTSA complaints and 166 recalls on record. 12 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 77 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 166 federal recall campaigns
- 12 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
166 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
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
EQUIPMENT
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 77 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
77 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.
STALLS OUT WHEN DRIVING AND HAS NO TURBO BOOST LIKE IT SHOULD. ALSO USES WAY TO MUCH DIESEL BURNS THRU TO FAST.
WARNING. SAFETY HAZARD ABOUT DURALAST CENTER LINK PART# DS1287, ALTERNATIVE PART NUMBER:DS6070X. I INSTALLED THIS PART IN 2005 FORD E250 BUT YOU CAN INSTALL THIS PART IN OTHER VEHICLES ALSO. I REPLACE CENTER LINK 1.5 YEARS AGO(07/17/2015). METAL THREAD ON BALL JOINT BROKEN AND MADE CAR UNSTEERABLE. THIS HAPPENED AT PARKING WHEN I TURN WHEELS, IF THIS HAPPEN ON HIGHWAY NOT ON PARKING I WILL BE DEATH NOW.
THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FAILED DUE TO RUST IN FEB OF 2013, THE FUEL TANK WILL RUST THROUGH SOON. THIS IS NOT AN OEM FUEL TANK IN THIS VEHICLE IT HAS A DOT APPROVED FUEL TANK FROM A MFG CALLED TRANSFER FLOW, INC.OUT OF CHINO, CA. I AM DISABLED, THE VAN WAS BOUGHT NEW AS A MODIFIED WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE CONVERSION VAN. IT IS A 2005 FORD E-250 THAT HAS BEEN MODIFIED BY A COMPANY CALLED NORCALVANS IN CALIFORNIA. WHEN I CONTACTED NORCALVANS THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE VAN IS OUTSIDE OF THE 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE PERIOD. WHEN I CONTACTED TRANSFER FLOW,INC. THE MFG. OF THE TANK I WAS TOLD THE SAME AND OFFERED A PRICE OF AROUND $850.00 FOR THE TANK, SHIPPING AND INSTALL ON ME. IN MY OPINION THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE FUEL TANK SHOULD NOT RUST OUT AFTER ONLY 7-8 YEARS. THIS VAN WILL BECOME UNSAFE WHEN THIS RUSTY FUEL TANK STARTS LEAKING. I CAN SEND PICTURES IF YOU LIKE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR ALMOST TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. UPDATED 6/8/11 *CN UPDATED 06/16/11
2005 FORD E250 CONVERSION VAN. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATING.* TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS AT HIS EXPENSE, AFTER HE WAS TOLD THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *JB
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) SPARK PLUG EJECTION OR BLOWOUT, I HAVE A 2005 FORD E250 VAN. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND COMMON PROBLEM ON FORD MOTORS, CAN YOU LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE FOR US FORD OWNERS. THE REPAIR IN MY CASE IS GOING TO BE VERY COSTLY, DUE TO THE FACT I WILL HAVE TO RENT A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE TO CONTINUE SERVICING MY CUSTOMERS. THANK YOU FOR INVESTING THIS MATTER. [XXX] *TR
Read 14 more owner reports
2005 FORD ECONLINE E250 LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND DROVE DOWN AN EMBANKMENT INTO A DITCH. *KB THE DRIVER CLAIMED MINOR INJURY TO HIS RIGHT HAND. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0034-90 UPDATED LETTER 04/29/10 *BF
NORMAL DRIVING OF A 2005 FORD E 250 ECONOLINE VAN AND SMELLED GAS. WHEN HOME, REMOVED ENGINE COVER AND DISCOVERED FUEL LINE LEAK AND SIGNIFICANT POOLING OF GAS ON REAR SECTION OF TOP OF ENGINE, THE FLEX PORTION OF THE FUEL LINE THAT FEEDS THE FUEL INJECTION MANIFOLD HAD FAILED JUST BEFORE THE CONNECTION TO THE INJECTOR. UPON REMOVAL OF THE FUEL LINE (FORD PART # 5C2Z*9B325*AA) IT APPEARS THAT THE LOWER END OF THIS UPPER FLEX LINE IS ALSO FAILING. I AM REPLACING IT WITH A NEW ONE FROM FORD, BUT I AM CONCERNED WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR A MAJOR FIRE IF THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM (WRONG OR INADEQUATE MATERIAL OF CONSTRUCTION. *TR
MY 2005 FORD F250 SUPERDUTY CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE VIOLENT STEERING VIBRATION WHEN ENCOUNTERING UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2005 I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE I WAS BARELY ABLE TO RETAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ONCE THE FRONT END OSCILLATION STARTED. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AND IS DOCUMENTED ACROSS THE INTERNET AND IN NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10028404. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO ONLY FIX THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. RECENTLY I HAD NEW MICHELIN TIRES INSTALLED AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT COMPLETED BUT THERE WAS NO IMPROVEMENT IN VEHICLE HANDLING. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE REVIEWED AGAIN BY THE NHTSA. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION STARTED TO SHAKE WHILE ENTERING A BRIDGE AT 65 MPH DURING NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS STILL BEING DRIVEN, HOWEVER THE BRIDGE IS NOW ENTERED AT AN ANGLE TO AVOID THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHAKING EFFECT.
DT: CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON JULY 18, 2005. THE VEHICLE DID NOT BELONG TO THE CONTACT, BUT WAS A COMPANY VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A POLE FROM THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE IS IN POSSESSION OF THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONSUMER DID CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
The contact owns a 2012 Ford E-250. The contact stated that the front passenger’s seat belt was locked as the seat belt was unable to be removed from the buckle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic test or repair. The contact stated that he called a dealer however, the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The contact stated the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
POSSIBLE PASSENGER SEAT BELT FIRE IN UNOCCUPIED PARKED VEHICLE. THIS VAN WAS IN BUSINESS PARKING LOT UNOCCUPIED WHEN A VEHICLE FIRE OCCURRED THAT APPEARS TO ORIGINATE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCK (PICTURED ATTACHED). THE HOST COMPANY ALSO HAS VIDEO FOOTAGE SHOWING THE VEHICLE ON CAMERA WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE WINDOWS TURN FROM CLEAR TO BLACK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD E-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DOWNSHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR AND THE WHEELS SEIZED. WHEN THE CONTACT SLOWED DOWN THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE SUBSIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V248000 (POWER TRAIN), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
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 EXHAUST GAS SENSOR WAS REPLACE, NO WARRANTY COVERAGE. DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL CONTINUE TO INDICATE RECURRING PROBLEM AND IT WOULD PROBABLY HAPPEN AGAIN. CONTACTED FORD, NO RESOLUTION ON COST INCURRED OR IF THERE IS A RE-DESIGN AND REPLACEMENT OF SENSOR (S). *TR
AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 FORD F250 DIESEL A LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL. SECONDS LATER THE COMPUTER SCREEN STATED FLASHING DIFFERENT WARNINGS- THE COMPUTER CHIMED NON-STOP WITH THE ALARMS UNTIL, WITHIN 10 SECONDS FROM THIS STARTING, THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN BY THE COMPUTER AND I WAS LEFT TO COAST TO A STOP. IT WAS NOT AN EASY STOP- THIS TRUCK WEIGHS 8,500 POUNDS AND WITH NO POWER IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TWO CARS APPEARED TO COLLIDED WHEN THE ENGINE CUT OUT AND I COULD NOT KEEP IN THE LANE ON THE CURVE. I WOULD SURELY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DEAD OR INJURED/KILLED OTHERS IF I WAS TOWING A LOAD ON ONE OF THE MOUNTAIN PASSES WHEN THIS SHUT DOWN OCCURED- THIS TRUCK HAS A DIESEL AND PURPOSELY DESIGNED FOR HEAVY TOWING- 16,000 MILES ON IT AND FORD'S NEW DIESEL IS A POTENTIAL KILLER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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
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 THEY HAVE RECALLED IS HANKOOK DYNAPRO MT LT325/60R18. HANKOOK SAYS THEY WILL ONLY WARRANT THE ONE TIRE SHOWING SEPARATION BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE FIRST ONE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE IN OUR POSSESSION OR THE OTHER THREE BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT FAILED YET. *TR
The contact owns a 2014 Ford E-250. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly fishtailed, causing the rear passenger side of the vehicle to crash into an unknown object. The contact indicated that the vehicle would only operate in limp mode after the crash. After switching back to the drive position, the vehicle operated normally. During the crash, no injuries were reported, and no police report was filed. The contact used a scanner to determine that the PCU had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The contact also discovered that electrical wires in the vehicle were damaged by rodents. A Number 6 Injector Wire was chewed out by rodents, and the contact independently replaced the wire however, the vehicle continued to misfire. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered and was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The manufacturer was aware that there was a software issue with the PCU and that it was a known failure, and the contact was concerned due to Ford acknowledging there was a fatality due to this known failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Showing 20 of 77 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact FORD E 250
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 250, 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 250 has 77 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 250 has 166 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. 12 of the FORD E 250's 77 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 (Average) 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 250 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two FORD E 250 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 250 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a FORD E 250 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 250.
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Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
FORD E 250 reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the FORD E 250 reliable?
Average. The FORD E 250 has 77 NHTSA owner complaints and 166 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ENGINE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which FORD E 250 years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2005 (11 complaints), 2006 (11 complaints), 2013 (11 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 250 problems?
Top reported issues: ENGINE (11 complaints); TIRES (9 complaints); AIR BAGS (8 complaints).
Does the FORD E 250 have recalls?
Yes — 166 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the FORD E 250. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.