Ford E250 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA lists 30 safety recalls and 20 owner complaints across 30 model years of the Ford E250 (1975–2013). The most-complained-about year is 1989.
Pick your Ford E250 model year
- 1975
- 1976
- 1977
- 1978
- 1979
- 1980
- 1982
- 1983
- 1984
- 1985
- 1986
- 1987
- 1988
- 1989
- 1990
- 1997
- 1998
- 1999
- 2000
- 2002
- 2003
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Ford E250 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 Ford E250 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 Ford E250 | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 Ford E250 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 Ford E250 | 1 | 0 |
| 2008 Ford E250 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 Ford E250 | 1 | 0 |
| 2006 Ford E250 | 1 | 1 |
| 2005 Ford E250 | 1 | 0 |
| 2003 Ford E250 | 1 | 0 |
| 2002 Ford E250 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 Ford E250 | 1 | 0 |
| 1999 Ford E250 | 1 | 0 |
| 1998 Ford E250 | 1 | 0 |
| 1997 Ford E250 | 1 | 0 |
| 1990 Ford E250 | 2 | 3 |
| 1989 Ford E250 | 2 | 7 |
| 1988 Ford E250 | 0 | 2 |
| 1987 Ford E250 | 2 | 0 |
| 1986 Ford E250 | 3 | 0 |
| 1985 Ford E250 | 4 | 2 |
| 1984 Ford E250 | 5 | 2 |
| 1983 Ford E250 | 5 | 0 |
| 1982 Ford E250 | 2 | 0 |
| 1980 Ford E250 | 1 | 1 |
| 1979 Ford E250 | 4 | 1 |
| 1978 Ford E250 | 5 | 1 |
| 1977 Ford E250 | 1 | 0 |
| 1976 Ford E250 | 1 | 0 |
| 1975 Ford E250 | 4 | 0 |
What Ford E250 owners complain about
Across all model years, owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. The 1989 model year has the most, with 7.
All Ford E250 recalls (30)
Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Ford E250, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.
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Equipment adaptive/mobility
Mobility Works (WMK Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E150, E250, and E350 vans modified by Mobility Works to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Remedy: Mobility Works will notify owners, and Ricon will supply supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2014.…
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Equipment adaptive/mobility
Mobilityworks is recalling 133 my 2005-2006 ford e250, my 2000, 2004-2006 e350, my 2000, 2005 e450, my 2005-2006 GMC 2500, GMC 3500, and my 2006 dodge 2500 vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift systems…
Remedy: Mobilityworks is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or mobilityworks at 1-800-769-8267.
Model years: 2005
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Equipment adaptive/mobility
On certain vans built on ford e250/e350 chassis and equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as necessary. Sure-lok is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Owners should contact sure-lock at 1-908-231-1804 or…
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Equipment adaptive/mobility
On certain vans equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as necessary. Sure-lok will handle the repairs for this campaign. Owners should contact sure-lock at 1-908-231-1804 or mobilityworks at…
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Selector devices (fuel system)
The dual fuel tank selector valve may malfunction and cause an overfill condition in one of the fuel tanks, resulting in an overflow of fuel past the filler cap.
Remedy: Replace the dual fuel tank selector valve.
Model years: 1989, 1990
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Gear position indication (prndl) (power train)
Under certain conditions, the snap ring that locates the park gear on the output shaft of the transmission may fracture.
Remedy: Install improved snap ring and revised transmission extension housing.
Model years: 1989, 1990
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Hoses/lines/piping/fittings (engine and engine cooling)
Extreme operating conditions could cause premature deterioration of the engine compartment heater hoses or engine bypass hoses.
Remedy: Replace hoses and radiator caps; install high heat resistance aluminized stainless steel mufflers.
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Emission control (engine and engine cooling)
Vehicles are subject to excessive underhood temperatures and fuel system pressures in severe duty applications.
Remedy: Install modification kits to minimize possibility of fuel expulsion and to shield underbody components from exhaust system heat.
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Connection (steering)
Rubber that encases ball stud and socket joint (connects steering drag link and pitman arm) may deteriorate and cause metal to metal contact. Consequence of defect: complete separation of the drag link to pitman arm connection could occur resulting in loss of steering control.
Remedy: Install new drag link assemblies with steel ball and socket joints at the pitman arm connections.
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Fuel system, diesel
When frontally impacted into a fixed barrier at 30 MPH, as specified in federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) no. 301, the left frame rails of such vehicles may displace inboard, pinching the fuel/water separator canister between the frame rail and engine sufficiently to displace the fuel/water separator drain rod, allowing the…
Remedy: Install a canister shield, a revised design drain rod shield, and modify fuel/water separator mounting bracket.
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Carburetor system (fuel system)
The secondary throttle shaft may, with accumulated mileage, become contaminated and may stick in a partially open position while driving.
Remedy: The primary to secondary throttle closure link on the carburetor will be replaced free of charge.
Model years: 1984
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Wheels
Some vehicles may have been built with improperly manufactured wheels. The welds securing the center sections to the rims may crack from fatigue.
Remedy: Affected wheels will be replaced.
Model years: 1984
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Fuel pump (fuel system)
Some of the involved vehicles may have a diode in the electrical fuel pump circuit that may short during engine starting due to inadequate capacity to withstand current draw. A short circuit would result in normal engine starting, but the pump will not continue to supply the engine with fuel.
Remedy: The dealer will replace defective element in the electrical fuel pump circuit with a new relay feed wiring assembly which contains a larger capacity diode, free of charge.
Model years: 1983
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Axle assembly (power train)
On certain vehicles, the lock wedges used to secure the axle bearing nuts to the axle housing may fall out of position, allowing the nut to loosen. The nut on the left side may fall off, allowing movement of the axle shaft.
Remedy: The dealer will replace defective lock wedges with an improved version. Wheel bearings will be inspected and adjusted or replaced, if necessary.
Model years: 1982, 1983
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Column shift (power train)
On some of the involved vehicles, the shift rod in the transmission may not be properly seated in the retention grommet of the steering column shift lever assembly. If the shift rod were to disengage, the driver could not select the proper transmission function which would create the potential for unexpected movement of the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect the shift rod attachment and make sure it is properly seated at no cost to owner.
Model years: 1982
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Exhaust system (engine and engine cooling)
Due to computer input error which resulted in an incorrect build schedule, some vehicles were shipped without the required exhaust system heat shields. When the vehicle is idled over an extended period of time, a missing exhaust heat shield may result in dangerously high floor pan temperatures.
Remedy: Dealer will install frame-mounting heat shields without charge to owner.
Model years: 1980
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
The incorrectly installed left front brake hoses may allow for contact between the front brake hoses and the front tires when the front wheels are in full right or left turn positions. If contact is made, the hose could wear and allow brake fluid to leak out.
Remedy: The dealer will inspect front brake hoses and replace those lacking the proper clearance with current production hoses, without charge to owner.
Model years: 1979
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Underbody shields (structure)
Certain vehicles may not contain the specified body mounted heat shields. This could cause high floor pan temperatures when the engine is idled for extended periods of time. Fouled spark plugs or other engine conditions could further increase exhaust temperatures.
Remedy: The dealer will install the necessary frame mounted heat shield, if missing.
Model years: 1979
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Pedals and linkages (service brakes)
The involved vehicles were produced with brake push-rod to brake pedal retaining pins which were not heat-treated as specified. This could allow the brake pedal to become disengaged from the push-rod.
Remedy: Dealer will replace the suspect brake retaining pin.
Model years: 1979
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Seat belts: rear/other
On the involved vehicles, the potential exists for the outboard seat belts to become trapped in the seat-bed pivoting mechanism. Should the belt become trapped in the mechanism when the seat is converted to a bed, the belt may become cut or frayed.
Remedy: The dealer will install seat belt shields on the folding seat/bed pivoting mechanism and replace the outboard seat belt assemblies if damaged, free of charge.
Model years: 1979
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Column shift (power train)
The shift selector reaction springs may be deformed as a result of improper installation of selector levers during column buildup. Thus the lever may not be able to be moved into the insert detents located in the steering column assembly. This could prevent the "park" gear from being engaged.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the shift selector reaction spring without charge to owner.
Model years: 1978
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Carburetor system (fuel system)
On the involved vehicles, leakage may occur at the threaded carburetor-to-fuel filter connection on the suspect carburetors. This is due to an improperly machined carburetor fuel inlet connection.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, will replace the carburetor without charge to owner.
Model years: 1978
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Column shift (power train)
On the involved vehicles, the park actuation support plates are defective due to their susceptibility to cracking due to improper heat treatment during manufacture. As a result, fragments from a broken plate can become lodged in the transmission parking pawl mechanism. This could prevent the transmission parking pawl from engaging when…
Remedy: The dealer will replace the park actuation cam support plates, free of charge, on all affected vehicles.
Model years: 1978
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Tie rod assembly (steering)
On the involved vehicles, the steering tie rod and link assemblies with adjusting sleeve clamps may have been improperly manufactured. The clamps contain a sharp die mark which could cause the clamp to fracture when the clamp bolt is tightened to specifications. The clamp could break and cause separation of the tie rod adjusting sleeves.
Remedy: The dealer will replace the steering tie rod adjusting sleeve and clamp assembly, free of charge, on all affected vehicles.
Model years: 1978
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Vehicle speed control
Some of the involved vehicles may have defective carburetors in which, under certain circumstances, the secondary throttle plates may stick open.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the carburetor at no charge to owner.
Model years: 1977, 1978
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Gear box (other than rack and pinion) (steering)
Model years: 1976
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Caliper (service brakes)
Model years: 1975
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Carburetor system (fuel system)
Model years: 1975
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Carburetor system (fuel system)
Model years: 1975
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Carburetor system (fuel system)
Model years: 1975
Other Ford models
- F-15037,961 complaints
- Explorer34,566 complaints
- Escape27,430 complaints
- Fusion22,405 complaints
- Focus22,096 complaints
- Taurus18,159 complaints
- Windstar14,158 complaints
- Edge14,065 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.