2011 Ford E-250 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Ford E-250 has a complaint index of 31 and 6 owner complaints, but 16 recall campaigns cap its verdict at Caution, ranking 10th out of 14 model years. It sits well below the worst years like 2006, which scored 100.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 31/100
- #10 of 14 E-250 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 6
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 16
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 14.5
- 12.5 city / 16.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2011 Ford E-250 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine2 (33%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (33%)
- Electrical System1 (17%)
- Fuel System1 (17%)
- Steering1 (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
- Steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn at highway speed, traced to a ball joint issue, at 347 miles.
- Interior grab handle used for climbing into the van broke due to weak design, risking a fall, at 22,000 miles.
- Brake light bulb sockets repeatedly burned out and melted, requiring bulbs to be replaced every few months, starting around 10,000 miles.
- Engine warning light stayed on due to a contaminated urea pump at about 36,606 miles.
2011 Ford E-250 recalls
16 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V876000Dec 17, 2025Other86 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility:wheelchair restraints/securement:latch/anchor:
Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
- 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.
2011 Ford E-250 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 12.5 MPG
- Highway
- 16.5 MPG
- Combined
- 14.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,475
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- 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.
2011 compared with other E-250 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Ford E-250 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 6 owner complaints and a complaint index of 31, which is moderate compared to other E-250 years. However, its verdict is capped at Caution because of 16 recall campaigns.
- What problems does the 2011 Ford E-250 have?
- The top problem area is Engine, making up 33% of complaints, followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 33%. Owners also reported issues with electrical sockets, a weak grab handle, and steering.
- Does the 2011 Ford E-250 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the 2011 Ford E-250, mostly involving aftermarket wheelchair lift modifications requiring dealer inspection or repair.
- How does the 2011 E-250 compare to other years?
- It ranks 10th worst out of 14 model years with data, with a complaint index of 31, better than 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2010, all rated Avoid.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Ford E-250?
- The EPA rates it at 14.5 mpg combined (12.5 city, 16.5 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $4,475.