2013 Ford E-250 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Ford E-250 has a Complaint Index of 62, ranking 6th worst out of 14 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 11 complaints, 11 recall campaigns (mostly aftermarket wheelchair-lift modifications), and 1 crash with no fires or injuries.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 62/100
- #6 of 14 E-250 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 11
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 11
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 14.5
- 12.5 city / 16.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2013 Ford E-250 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (27%)
- Engine2 (18%)
- Fuel System2 (18%)
- Airbags1 (9%)
- Brakes1 (9%)
- Electrical System1 (9%)
- Other1 (9%)
- Structure & Body1 (9%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rear tires reportedly separate tread or crack while driving at highway speed, sometimes leading to a blowout.
- Owners describe unexpected forward acceleration at low speed even while braking, in one case resulting in a rear-end crash.
- Some vans experienced a Takata airbag deploying on its own while parked with the ignition off.
- Headlights and taillights reportedly turn on and off by themselves, linked to water intrusion in the rear light housings.
- A driver's side door latch reportedly failed to hold the door closed, worsening over about a week.
- Engine complaints include a blown spark plug and a failed fuel injector during acceleration.
2013 Ford E-250 recalls
11 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.
2013 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.
2013 compared with other E-250 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Ford E-250 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a Complaint Index of 62 for the 2013 E-250, ranking it 6th worst among 14 model years tracked, which puts it in the Caution range relative to other E-250 years.
- What are the most common problems on the 2013 Ford E-250?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints lead at 27% of the total, followed by Engine and Fuel System issues each at 18%, based on NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2013 Ford E-250 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2013 E-250, nearly all involving aftermarket wheelchair lift equipment installed by mobility conversion companies, none marked do-not-drive.
- What is the median mileage for suspension complaints on this year?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 25,500 miles for Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints on the 2013 Ford E-250.
- How does the 2013 E-250 compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 62, the 2013 model ranks better than 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2010, which are rated Avoid, but worse than years like 2011, 2014, and 2007, which carry Caution or lower index scores.