2005 Ford E-250 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Ford E-250 has a complaint index of 92, ranking 2nd worst out of 14 model years, and carries the Avoid verdict. Owners reported airbag warning lights, fuel line leaks, and steering vibration, alongside 9 wheelchair-lift recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 92/100
- #2 of 14 E-250 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 11
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 15
- 13 city / 17 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2005 Ford E-250 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags3 (27%)
- Fuel System3 (27%)
- Steering2 (18%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (18%)
- Brakes1 (9%)
- Engine1 (9%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbag warning light stays illuminated for extended periods, sometimes near 40,000 miles, with no dealer finding a cause.
- Front suspension shakes or shudders at highway speed, particularly around 65 mph on bridges or uneven pavement.
- Steering exhibits violent vibration or oscillation on uneven roads, with some owners saying they nearly lost control.
- Fuel line connecting to the injector cracks and leaks near the engine, producing a gas smell and pooling fuel, reported around 74,600 miles.
- Fuel tank straps rust through over time, risking tank failure, noted around 110,000 miles median for fuel-system complaints.
- Rear tire blowouts have led to loss of control and road departures.
2005 Ford E-250 recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 09V249000Jul 1, 2009Other1 vehicles
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. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
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.
- NHTSA 09V250000Jul 1, 2009Other1 vehicles
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. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
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.
- NHTSA 09V243000Jun 29, 2009Other3 vehicles
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. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
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.
2005 Ford E-250 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13 MPG
- Highway
- 17 MPG
- Combined
- 15 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other E-250 years
Frequently asked questions
- Should I avoid the 2005 Ford E-250?
- NHTSA data gives the 2005 E-250 a complaint index of 92, the 2nd worst of 14 model years for this model, and it carries an Avoid verdict. The top problem area is airbags, followed by fuel system issues.
- Does the 2005 Ford E-250 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2005 E-250, all involving Ricon platform-style wheelchair lifts failing to meet federal safety standards.
- What is the most common problem with the 2005 Ford E-250?
- Airbags and fuel system complaints each account for 27% of reported issues, followed by steering and suspension complaints at 18% each.
- At what mileage do 2005 E-250 problems typically appear?
- Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 57,300 miles, though fuel system issues showed up later, around 110,000 miles median.
- How does the 2005 E-250 compare to other years?
- The 2005 model's complaint index of 92 is worse than most other years listed, with only the 2006 model year (index 100) ranking worse.