Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 5 | typical | — | Brake | Average |
| 2007 | 0 | −75% | 2 | — | Average |
| 2006 | 0 | −75% | 6 | — | Average |
| 2005 | 10 | 1.7× | 6 | Engine | Average |
| 2003 | 5 | −25% | 2 | Engine | Average |
| 2002 | 6 | typical | 2 | AC & Heater | Average |
| 2001 | 6 | typical | 2 | Brake | Average |
| 2000 | 6 | −25% | 2 | Wheel & Tire | Average |
| 1998 | 13 | 2.1× | 1 | Wheel & Tire | Caution |
| 1997 | 16 | 2.4× | 1 | Wheel & Tire | Caution |
* Complaints compared with the median E Series year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Ford E Series problems
Latest Ford E Series recalls
Equipment adaptive/mobility
New england wheels, inc. Is recalling 513 ricon wheelchair lifts which it installed on my 2005 through 2007 Ford e-series commercial vans. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: New england wheels 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 new england wheels at 1-800-886-9247.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Mobility is recalling 43 my 2005-2006 Ford e-series 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: Mobility 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 mobility at 714-674-0480.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Mobility is recalling 86 my 2005-2006 Ford e-series and Chevrolet express van equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Mobility 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 mobility at 714-674-0480.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
American emergency vehicles is recalling 8 my 2005-2006 e-series vans built on Ford 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: American emergency vehicles 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 American emergency vehicles at 1-336-982-9824.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
American emergency vehicles is recalling 8 my 2005-2006 e-series vans built on Ford 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: American emergency vehicles 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 American emergency vehicles at 1-336-982-9824.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Ford E Series should you avoid?
1997 and 1998 — these years have the most complaints relative to other E Series years at the same age, led by wheels & tires problems in the 1997.
What is the best year for the Ford E Series?
2006 has the fewest complaints compared with other E Series years at the same age, followed by 2007 and 2000. 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 Series problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the wheels & tires (22), engine & cooling (9) and brakes (7). Wheel & Tire complaints peak in the 1997 model year.
How many recalls has the Ford E Series had?
8 recalls across 1997–2008. The model year with the most is 2005. See all Ford E Series 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.