Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 7 | −27% | 11 | Engine | Average |
| 2013 | 11 | typical | 10 | Wheel & Tire | Average |
| 2012 | 8 | −18% | 11 | Electrical | Average |
| 2011 | 6 | −27% | 15 | Engine | Average |
| 2010 | 9 | typical | 10 | Acceleration | Average |
| 2009 | 2 | −73% | 16 | Acceleration | Good |
| 2008 | 6 | −45% | 20 | Wheel & Tire | Good |
| 2007 | 6 | −45% | 25 | Airbag | Good |
| 2006 | 11 | typical | 28 | Equipment | Average |
| 2005 | 11 | typical | 8 | Airbag | Average |
| 2004 | 8 | −36% | 16 | Electrical | Average |
| 2003 | 17 | 1.5× | 6 | Electrical | Caution |
| 2002 | 17 | 1.5× | 4 | Wheel & Tire | Caution |
| 2001 | 18 | 1.5× | 3 | Engine | Caution |
| 2000 | 18 | 1.7× | 4 | Brake | Caution |
| 1999 | 31 | 2.5× | 5 | Engine | Avoid |
| 1998 | 16 | 1.4× | 4 | Brake | Average |
| 1997 | 24 | 2.0× | 3 | Wheel & Tire | Caution |
| 1996 | 20 | 1.8× | 3 | Wheel & Tire | Caution |
| 1995 | 15 | 1.2× | 3 | Brake | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median E-250 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Ford E-250 problems
Latest Ford E-250 recalls
Equipment adaptive/mobility › Wheelchair restraints/securement › Latch/anchor
Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints.
Remedy: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
Seats
Mobility Transportation Services (MobilityTrans) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ford Transit and Ram Promaster vehicles and 2014-2015 Ford Econoline vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719.
Remedy: MobilityTrans will notify owners and Freedman Seating dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began May 19, 2019.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
New England Wheels (New England) is recalling certain 2008, 2013 and 2014 Ford E-250 vehicles modified to be equipped with Ricon Wheelchair lifts. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height.
Remedy: New England has notified owners, and Ricon dealers will replace the lift positioning input cam, free of charge. The recall began on March 18, 2019.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
New England Wheels (New England) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-250, E-350, and 2015 Ford Transit vans equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts by Ricon. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Remedy: New England 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
New England Wheels is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-250, and E-350 cargo vans modified to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts built by the Ricon Corporation.
Remedy: New England Wheels 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.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Ford E-250 should you avoid?
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 1997 — these years have the most complaints relative to other E-250 years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 1999.
What is the best year for the Ford E-250?
2009 has the fewest complaints compared with other E-250 years at the same age, followed by 2007 and 2008. 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-250 problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (53), wheels & tires (45) and brakes (42). Engine complaints peak in the 2001 model year.
How many recalls has the Ford E-250 had?
71 recalls across 1995–2014. The model year with the most is 2006. See all Ford E-250 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.