Ford E-150 Problems by Year

We compared every Ford E-150 model year from 1995–2016 using 692 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 41 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2001, 1997, 1999, 1995 and 1996, which drew far more complaints than other E-150 years at the same age. The best years are 2009, 2014 and 2015.

22model years
692complaints
41recalls
2001, 1997worst years
2009, 2014best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’1671591026083503728213316161211710231219688
Owner complaints per model year, Ford E-150. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20168−52%1BrakeGood
20158−52%1EngineGood
20146−62%6BrakeGood
201319typical5TransmissionAverage
201212−43%7TransmissionGood
2011231.1×10SteeringAverage
201010−48%6Wheel & TireGood
20097−62%11EngineGood
200811−48%16EngineGood
200712−48%17EngineGood
200616−24%13AccelerationAverage
200516−43%2EngineGood
2004331.3×4BrakeAverage
200321typical5ElectricalAverage
200228typical3BrakeAverage
2001371.4×4BrakeCaution
2000502.1×5SuspensionAvoid
1999833.3×5Fuel SystemAvoid
1998602.5×4EngineAvoid
19971023.4×5Fuel SystemAvoid
1996592.6×3BrakeAvoid
1995713.0×3BrakeAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median E-150 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Ford E-150 problems

Latest Ford E-150 recalls

Equipment adaptive/mobility

NHTSA recall 19V-271 · Apr 3, 2019 · 4 vehicles

Mobility Specialists, Inc. (Mobility Specialists) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Ford E-150 and Transit vans modified to be equipped with Ricon S-Series and K-Series wheel chair lifts.

Remedy: Mobility Specialists, working with Ricon, has notified the owners. Ricon will provide instructions and materials for replacing defective parts. Owners may contact Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.

Equipment adaptive/mobility

NHTSA recall 15V-729 · Nov 4, 2015 · 667 vehicles

MobilityWorks (WMK Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, and E-350 vans modified by MobilityWorks to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation.

Remedy: MobilityWorks will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge.

Equipment adaptive/mobility

NHTSA recall 14V-706 · Nov 5, 2014 · 34 vehicles

Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005,…

Remedy: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge.

Equipment adaptive/mobility

NHTSA recall 14V-584 · Sep 23, 2014 · 45 vehicles

National Van Builders, Inc. (National Van) is recalling certain 2007-2014 Ford E-150 and E-250 vehicles manufactured February 26, 2007, to August 19, 2014, and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation.

Remedy: National Van will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge.

Fuel system, other › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA recall 14V-501 · Aug 6, 2014 · 28 vehicles

Adrian Steel Company (Adrian) is recalling certain model year 2012 Ford E-150, E-250 and E-350 Commercial Cargo Vans modified by Adrian between September 21, 2012, to September 24, 2012.

Remedy: Adrian will notify owners, and dealers will replace the aluminum fuel line fittings with stainless steel fittings, free of charge. The recall began during July 2014.

All 41 Ford E-150 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Ford E-150 should you avoid?

2001, 1997, 1999, 1995, 1996 and 1998 — these years have the most complaints relative to other E-150 years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 2001.

What is the best year for the Ford E-150?

2009 has the fewest complaints compared with other E-150 years at the same age, followed by 2014 and 2015. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Ford E-150 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (130), engine & cooling (115) and fuel & propulsion system (96). Brake complaints peak in the 1995 model year.

How many recalls has the Ford E-150 had?

41 recalls across 1995–2016. The model year with the most is 2007. See all Ford E-150 recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.