Total Complaints
56 filings
Ford E-250 · model year
56 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The verdict
The 1999 Ford E-250 posts above-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.
The 1999FordE-250 carries 56 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 2 fires, 11 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 1999 E-250 is engine and engine cooling:engine with 4 filings, followed by tires:tread/belt (4) and suspension (3). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.
NHTSA currently has 179 investigation files overlapping the 1999 E-250, and 6 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.
Total Complaints
56 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 4 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 4 |
| SUSPENSION | 3 |
| TIRES | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 1 |
SPARK PLUG EJECTION WITH PLUG PARTS GOING INTO MOTOR AND PUTTING HOLE IN PISTON-THIS IS A WORK VAN-NO WAY TO ECONOMICALLY FIX IT. HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING 25MPH ON CITY STREET
Mileage: 95,551
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE GOING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE LINE FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE FRONT BRAKES STILL FUNCTIONED BUT THE REAR BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 130,000
SUBJECT: FORD V-8 TRUCK ENGINE SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT COMMENTS: I AM A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY BUSINESS OWNER THAT USES FORD VANS FOR OUR WORK. THIS PAST WEEK WE HAD A SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF THE HEAD OF ONE OF OUR VEHICLES THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT HAS OCCURRED ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE EACH TIME WE HAVE TO PLACE IT IN THE SHOP IT COSTS NEARLY $300.00 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. NOT TO MENTION THE LOSS OF USE OF THE TRUCK FOR 2 -3 DAYS. WHILE RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ONLINE I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A FAIRLY COMMON OCCURRENCE ON MANY OF THESE ENGINES FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I WONDER IF THEIR IS SOME RECOURSE THRU FORD OTHER THAN A CLASS ACTION LAW SUITE TO RECOVER THE EXPENSE? PLEASE RESPOND YOURS TRULY[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Mileage: 110,000
1999 FORD E-250 1999 TRUCK ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON, AND BRAKES ARE ALL GOOD. DON'T LET AUTO OWNERS DISCONNECT DASH LIGHTS. *TR
Mileage: 105,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-250 ECONOLINE VAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 27 MPH DOWNHILL, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT THEN SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR AND WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF RUST OR CORROSION ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 158,563.
Mileage: 158,563
I RETURNED TO MY TRUCK AFTER WORK TO GO HOME. WHEN I STARTED IT, THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THE #3 SPARKPLUG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE GONE. IT WAS BLOWN OUT. *TR
Mileage: 82,000
1999 FORD ECONOLINE WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH BREAKING DOWN. HE ALSO STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEMS. *KB THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE LEFT REAR DOOR HANDLE, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, RADIO, BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. THE AXLE SHAFT SEALS, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. THE VALVE SPRING WAS BROKEN, THE FRONT TIE ROD ENDS AND DRAG LINKS WERE REPLACED, THE TIRES, WIPER BLADES AND GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE VAN WAS SERVICED 9 TIMES FOR THE CHECK ENGINE WARNINGS. *JB
1999 FORD ECONOLINE WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH BREAKING DOWN. HE ALSO STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEMS. *KB THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE LEFT REAR DOOR HANDLE, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, RADIO, BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. THE AXLE SHAFT SEALS, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. THE VALVE SPRING WAS BROKEN, THE FRONT TIE ROD ENDS AND DRAG LINKS WERE REPLACED, THE TIRES, WIPER BLADES AND GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE VAN WAS SERVICED 9 TIMES FOR THE CHECK ENGINE WARNINGS. *JB
1999 FORD ECONOLINE WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH BREAKING DOWN. HE ALSO STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEMS. *KB THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE LEFT REAR DOOR HANDLE, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, RADIO, BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. THE AXLE SHAFT SEALS, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. THE VALVE SPRING WAS BROKEN, THE FRONT TIE ROD ENDS AND DRAG LINKS WERE REPLACED, THE TIRES, WIPER BLADES AND GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE VAN WAS SERVICED 9 TIMES FOR THE CHECK ENGINE WARNINGS. *JB
1999 FORD ECONOLINE WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH BREAKING DOWN. HE ALSO STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEMS. *KB THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE LEFT REAR DOOR HANDLE, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, RADIO, BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. THE AXLE SHAFT SEALS, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. THE VALVE SPRING WAS BROKEN, THE FRONT TIE ROD ENDS AND DRAG LINKS WERE REPLACED, THE TIRES, WIPER BLADES AND GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE VAN WAS SERVICED 9 TIMES FOR THE CHECK ENGINE WARNINGS. *JB
1999 FORD ECONOLINE WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH BREAKING DOWN. HE ALSO STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEMS. *KB THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE LEFT REAR DOOR HANDLE, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, RADIO, BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. THE AXLE SHAFT SEALS, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. THE VALVE SPRING WAS BROKEN, THE FRONT TIE ROD ENDS AND DRAG LINKS WERE REPLACED, THE TIRES, WIPER BLADES AND GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE VAN WAS SERVICED 9 TIMES FOR THE CHECK ENGINE WARNINGS. *JB
1999 FORD ECONOLINE WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH BREAKING DOWN. HE ALSO STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEMS. *KB THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE LEFT REAR DOOR HANDLE, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, RADIO, BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. THE AXLE SHAFT SEALS, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. THE VALVE SPRING WAS BROKEN, THE FRONT TIE ROD ENDS AND DRAG LINKS WERE REPLACED, THE TIRES, WIPER BLADES AND GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE VAN WAS SERVICED 9 TIMES FOR THE CHECK ENGINE WARNINGS. *JB
1999 FORD ECONOLINE WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH BREAKING DOWN. HE ALSO STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEMS. *KB THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE LEFT REAR DOOR HANDLE, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, RADIO, BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. THE AXLE SHAFT SEALS, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. THE VALVE SPRING WAS BROKEN, THE FRONT TIE ROD ENDS AND DRAG LINKS WERE REPLACED, THE TIRES, WIPER BLADES AND GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE VAN WAS SERVICED 9 TIMES FOR THE CHECK ENGINE WARNINGS. *JB
1999 FORD ECONOLINE WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH BREAKING DOWN. HE ALSO STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEMS. *KB THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE LEFT REAR DOOR HANDLE, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, RADIO, BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. THE AXLE SHAFT SEALS, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. THE VALVE SPRING WAS BROKEN, THE FRONT TIE ROD ENDS AND DRAG LINKS WERE REPLACED, THE TIRES, WIPER BLADES AND GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE VAN WAS SERVICED 9 TIMES FOR THE CHECK ENGINE WARNINGS. *JB
1999 FORD ECONOLINE WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH BREAKING DOWN. HE ALSO STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEMS. *KB THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE LEFT REAR DOOR HANDLE, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, RADIO, BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. THE AXLE SHAFT SEALS, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. THE VALVE SPRING WAS BROKEN, THE FRONT TIE ROD ENDS AND DRAG LINKS WERE REPLACED, THE TIRES, WIPER BLADES AND GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE VAN WAS SERVICED 9 TIMES FOR THE CHECK ENGINE WARNINGS. *JB
1999 FORD ECONOLINE WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH BREAKING DOWN. HE ALSO STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEMS. *KB THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE LEFT REAR DOOR HANDLE, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, RADIO, BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. THE AXLE SHAFT SEALS, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. THE VALVE SPRING WAS BROKEN, THE FRONT TIE ROD ENDS AND DRAG LINKS WERE REPLACED, THE TIRES, WIPER BLADES AND GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE VAN WAS SERVICED 9 TIMES FOR THE CHECK ENGINE WARNINGS. *JB
1999 FORD ECONOLINE WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH BREAKING DOWN. HE ALSO STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEMS. *KB THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE LEFT REAR DOOR HANDLE, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, RADIO, BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. THE AXLE SHAFT SEALS, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. THE VALVE SPRING WAS BROKEN, THE FRONT TIE ROD ENDS AND DRAG LINKS WERE REPLACED, THE TIRES, WIPER BLADES AND GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE VAN WAS SERVICED 9 TIMES FOR THE CHECK ENGINE WARNINGS. *JB
1999 FORD ECONOLINE WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH BREAKING DOWN. HE ALSO STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEMS. *KB THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE LEFT REAR DOOR HANDLE, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, RADIO, BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. THE AXLE SHAFT SEALS, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. THE VALVE SPRING WAS BROKEN, THE FRONT TIE ROD ENDS AND DRAG LINKS WERE REPLACED, THE TIRES, WIPER BLADES AND GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE VAN WAS SERVICED 9 TIMES FOR THE CHECK ENGINE WARNINGS. *JB
MY NAME IS [XXX] . I AM A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN BARTLETT ILLINOIS. I OWN A FORD ECONOLINE 250 & A FORD EXPEDITION. BOTH VEHICLES HAVE BEEN "FORD SERVICED" SINCE NEW. I RECENTLY HAD A SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF THE ENGINE. I HAVE HAD MANY A CAR IN MY DAYS AND I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS FAILURE. FORD INSISTED THIS WAS NOT AN ENGINE DEFECT, AND ALTHOUGH THEY WERE THE ONLY SERVICE PEOPLE THAT EVER WORKED ON THE VEHICLE, I WAS STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR. THE COST AROUND $750. MONEY IS IMPORTANT, BUT PRINCIPLE IS MORE IMPORTANT. AFTER SEARCHING THE WEB I FOUND THIS: HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_SPARK.HTML HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME FAILURE. IT IS MY HOPE THAT YOU CAN DO SOMETHING TO BRING THIS TO THE PUBLIC'S ATTENTION AND FORCE FORD INTO ADMITTING FAULT. THIS IS WHY PEOPLE DO NOT BUY AMERICAN ANY LONGER; TO BE HONEST I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FORD PERSON; NOT ANY MORE. I AM SELLING BOTH VEHICLES AND NEVER BUYING ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. THANKS IN
Mileage: 115,100
WE PURCHASED A 99 E250 CARGO VAN IN NOVEMBER 06, WE ARE NOT SURE IF OLD OWNER HAD SAME PROBLEM, WITHIN 2 WEEKS WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH VAN STARTING. WE ONLY HAVE THE PROBLEM AFTER THE CAR IS SHUT OFF. IT DOES NOT STALL WHILE RUNNING. WE CAN TURN IT OFF AND TRY TO START IT RIGHT BACK UP, IT WILL NOT TURN ALL THE WAY OVER. WE HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND HAD IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES. THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. IT HAS BEEN HOOKED UP TO A COMPUTER, WHEN IT IS STARTED IT SHOWS NOTHING WRONG, WHEN IT WON'T START IT WON'T READ AT ALL. WITH NO RHYME OR REASON IT WILL START ON IT'S OWN. SOMETIMES IT WILL BE A FEW TRIES AND SOMETIMES IT IS DAYS TILL IT STARTS. OUR MECHANIC IS AT A LOSS AS TO HOW TO FIX THIS. IT HAS CAUSED MY HUSBAND TO BE STRANDED AT JOBS 4 TIMES NOW. *TR
Timing Belt Failure
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 1999 Ford E-250; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.