Which Ford E-250 years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2010 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 92, 100, 77, and 85 respectively, the highest in the model's history.

Is there a best year for the Ford E-250?

No year qualifies as Good or Best because every model year is capped by recall campaigns. The lowest-risk years among the rest are 2007, 2011, and 2014.

What is the most common problem area for the Ford E-250?

Across all years, Engine issues account for 24% of complaints (20 complaints), followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 22% (18 complaints).

Why is the 2006 Ford E-250 rated so poorly?

The 2006 model has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, plus 29 recall campaigns, the most recalls of any E-250 year, and 11 reported injuries.

Are 2007 and 2011 Ford E-250 models reliable choices?

They are the lowest-risk years available, with complaint indexes of 46 and 31, but both are still rated Caution because of 26 and 16 recall campaigns respectively despite lower complaint counts.

Ford E-250 Best and Worst Years (2005–2023)

The Ford E-250 has no year that earns a Good or Best rating, since every model year carries heavy recall campaigns. Avoid 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2010, which post the highest complaint indexes (92, 100, 77, and 85); 2007, 2011, and 2014 are the lowest-risk choices among the rest.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2005 Avoid 2006 Avoid 2008 Avoid 2010Lowest-risk years:Caution 2007 Caution 2011 Caution 2014

Model years: 14; 2005–2023
NHTSA complaints: 82
Recall campaigns: 56
Crashes reported: 12
Fires reported: 4
Top problem area: Engine

E-250 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Ford E-250 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Avoid	92	11	3	1	9	Airbags	15	—
2006	Avoid	100	12	1	0	29	Electrical System	—	—
2007	Caution	46	6	0	1	26	Airbags	—	—
2008	Avoid	77	6	2	0	21	Engine	—	—
2009	No verdict	38	2	1	0	17	Engine	—	—
2010	Avoid	85	9	2	1	11	Engine	—	—
2011	Caution	31	6	0	0	16	Engine	14.5	—
2012	Caution	69	8	1	1	12	Electrical System	14.5	—
2013	Caution	62	11	1	0	11	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	14.5	—
2014	Caution	54	7	1	0	11	Engine	14.5	—
2016	No verdict	8	1	0	0	0	Steering	—	—
2017	No verdict	23	2	0	0	0	Steering	—	—
2022	No verdict	15	1	0	0	0	Transmission & Powertrain	—	—
2023	No verdict	0	0	0	0	1	—	—	—

E-250 years to avoid: what went wrong

2006 Ford E-250 Index 100 · 12 complaints · 29 recalls

The 2006 E-250 has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, backed by 29 recall campaigns, more than any other year. Electrical system and fuel system problems each accounted for 17% of complaints. Owners described an electronic control failure at low mileage (median 5,600 miles) that led to a loss of steering, and a fuel line leak with fuel odor at higher mileage. Eleven injuries were reported for this model year, the most of any E-250 year.

2005 Ford E-250 Index 92 · 11 complaints · 9 recalls

The 2005 E-250 carries a complaint index of 92 with 11 complaints and 9 recall campaigns. Airbags and fuel system issues each made up 27% of complaints, with owners reporting airbag deployment tied to crashes and fuel system problems at a median mileage of 110,000. Suspension and steering complaints also appeared, including a tire blowout that caused loss of control. Three crashes and one fire were reported for this year.

2010 Ford E-250 Index 85 · 9 complaints · 11 recalls

The 2010 E-250 has a complaint index of 85 with 9 complaints and 11 recall campaigns. Engine and suspension issues were each cited in a third of complaints, with engine-related brake and surge problems reported at a median of 81,427 miles. Electrical system complaints, including a melted wire harness, appeared at higher mileage. Two crashes and one fire were reported for this year.

2008 Ford E-250 Index 77 · 6 complaints · 21 recalls

The 2008 E-250 has a complaint index of 77 with 6 complaints and 21 recall campaigns. Engine and suspension problems each made up half of the complaints, with engine failures reported around a median of 76,000 miles, including one incident where the engine reportedly raced and lunged forward. Suspension complaints included a tire separation issue. Two crashes were tied to this model year.

Most common Ford E-250 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Engine20 (24%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires18 (22%)
Fuel System11 (13%)
Other10 (12%)
Electrical System9 (11%)
Airbags8 (10%)
Brakes7 (9%)
Transmission & Powertrain7 (9%)
Structure & Body6 (7%)
Steering5 (6%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

Which Ford E-250 years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2010 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 92, 100, 77, and 85 respectively, the highest in the model's history.
Is there a best year for the Ford E-250?: No year qualifies as Good or Best because every model year is capped by recall campaigns. The lowest-risk years among the rest are 2007, 2011, and 2014.
What is the most common problem area for the Ford E-250?: Across all years, Engine issues account for 24% of complaints (20 complaints), followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 22% (18 complaints).
Why is the 2006 Ford E-250 rated so poorly?: The 2006 model has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, plus 29 recall campaigns, the most recalls of any E-250 year, and 11 reported injuries.
Are 2007 and 2011 Ford E-250 models reliable choices?: They are the lowest-risk years available, with complaint indexes of 46 and 31, but both are still rated Caution because of 26 and 16 recall campaigns respectively despite lower complaint counts.