2008 Ford E-250 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2008 Ford E-250 ranks 4th worst out of 14 model years with a complaint index of 77 and 21 recall campaigns, earning an Avoid verdict. Engine and suspension complaints each account for half of reported issues, with median failure mileage around 76,000 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 77/100
- #4 of 14 E-250 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 6
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 21
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2008 Ford E-250 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine3 (50%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (50%)
- Airbags1 (17%)
- Fuel System1 (17%)
- Structure & Body1 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (17%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine suddenly races to high RPM after shifting into drive, causing unintended acceleration.
- Transmission acts up with loss of acceleration, a wrench warning light, and the engine dying while driving.
- Front tire tread separates, producing a severe thump felt from the rear of the van.
- Airbags fail to deploy after the vehicle hydroplanes and rolls in wet conditions.
- Aftermarket TPMS sensors fail shortly after installation, though this is not an original Ford component issue.
2008 Ford E-250 recalls
21 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V125000Feb 26, 2019Other3 vehicles
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 403, "Platform Lift Systems."
Risk: If the wheelchair lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inwards towards the vehicle when exiting the lift, increasing their risk of injury.
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. Owners may contact Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884 or New England customer service at 1-978-663-9724.
- NHTSA 16V350000May 24, 2016Other2 vehicles
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. Additionally, the lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
Risk: If the platform side plates crack or the platform mounting fails from out-of-position bearings, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the vehicle's doors are opened, the platform may fall onto the lift operator, increasing their risk of injury.
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. The recall began on June 29, 2016. Owners may contact New England customer service at 1-800-886-9247. New England's number for this recall is 16E-020.
- NHTSA 15V779000Nov 20, 2015Other278 vehicles
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. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
Risk: If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.
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. The recall began on January 5, 2016. Owners may contact New England Wheels customer service at 1-800-866-9247, or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884. New England Wheels' number for this recall is 15E-068. Note: These vans and wheelchair lifts were subject to a similar recall in 2014. All vehicles that received that recall remedy are still affected by this recall as well.
2008 compared with other E-250 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Ford E-250 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2008 E-250 a complaint index of 77, the 4th worst of 14 model years tracked, with 21 recall campaigns. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other E-250 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford E-250?
- Owners most often reported engine problems, which make up half of all complaints for this year, followed by suspension, wheels, and tire issues at the same share. Median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 76,000 miles.
- Does the 2008 Ford E-250 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 21 recall campaigns tied to the 2008 E-250, mostly involving wheelchair lift modifications from aftermarket upfitters like Ricon. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2008 E-250 compare to other years?
- The 2008 model's complaint index of 77 is worse than 2007 (46) and 2011 (31), but better than 2006 (100) and 2005 (92), which are the worst-ranked years.