Most common 2005 Ford E-250 problems
Share of the 11 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford E-250 complaints by model year
Best E-250 years: 2009, 2007, 2008. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003. Compare all years →
2005 Ford E-250 recalls (8)
Equipment adaptive/mobility
J's mobility unlimited, inc., is recalling one model year 2005 Ford e-250 van equipped with a ricon platform style wheelchair lift. This vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: J's mobility unlimited 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 j's mobility unlimited at 1-601-939-2112.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
J's mobility unlimited, inc., is recalling one model year 2005 Ford e-250 van equipped with a ricon platform style wheelchair lift. This vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: J's mobility unlimited is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners May contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or j's mobility unlimited at 1-601-939-2112.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Handicapped driver services is recalling 3 model year 2004 and 2005 Ford e-250 transit buses built on Ford chassis and equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Handicapped driver services 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 handicapped driver services at 1-770-422-9674.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Handicapped driver services is recalling 3 model year 2004 and 2005 Ford e-250 rental vans built on Ford chassis and equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Handicapped driver services is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners May contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or handicapped driver services at 1-770-422-9674.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Van conversions is recalling 52 my 2004-2007 Ford e-150, e-250 e-350 and my 2006 GM savanna 3500 vans built on Ford and GM chassis and equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Van conversions 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 van conversions at 610-837-0707.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Van conversions is recalling 74 my 2004-2007 Ford e-150, e-250 e-350 and my 2006 GM savanna 3500 vans built on Ford and GM chassis and equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Van conversions is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners May contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or van conversions at 610-837-0707.
Show 2 more recalls
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Quality van sales is recalling 18 my 2005-2007 Ford e-250, my 2006 Ford e-350, and Chevrolet express vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Quality van sales is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners May contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or quality van sales at 1-800-408-8550.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Quality van sales is recalling 18 my 2005-2007 Ford e-250, my 2006 Ford e-350 and Chevrolet express vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Quality van sales is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners May contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or quality van sales at 1-800-408-8550.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2005 Ford E-250:
HVAC Switch Failures
This investigation was opened based on one complaint and reports from four transportation fleets alleging 182 blower motor control switch failures.ODI was concerned that these melting and burning switches could lead to an open flame that could spread throughout the vehicle.After a comprehensive review of all data related to overheating blower motor control switches in the subject vehicles, ODI did not identify the…
What 2005 Ford E-250 owners say
Air bags
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 updated 06/16/11
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.
Fuel & propulsion system
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.
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) 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.
2005 Ford E-250 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: Van.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Ford E-250 a good car?
Based on 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 E-250 rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the E-250 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Ford E-250?
The air bags — 3 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about side/window. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (3) and steering (2).
How many recalls does the 2005 Ford E-250 have?
There are 8 recalls for the 2005 Ford E-250, the most recent from July 1, 2009 (equipment adaptive/mobility). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford E-250?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009, 2007 and 2008. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003. See the full Ford E-250 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Ford E-250 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.