Total Complaints
14 filings
FORD E-250 · model year
14 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 18 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004FORDE-250 carries 14 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 E-250 is interior lighting with 1 filings, followed by exterior lighting:back up lights (1) and steering:gear box:shaft pitman (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 18 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2004 E-250, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
14 filings
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| INTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS | 1 |
| STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
R&R MOBILITY IS RECALLING 7 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS ON MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
R&R MOBILITY IS RECALLING 7 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WH
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
ACCESS MOBILITY IS RECALLING 3 MODEL YEAR 2004 FORD E-250 AND MODEL YEAR 2006 DODGE SPRINTER VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICL
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
VAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 8 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THE LIFT FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS ON MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEE
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
ACCESS MOBILITY IS RECALLING 3 MODEL YEAR 2004 FORD E-250 AND MODEL YEAR 2006 DODGE SPRINTER VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFT. THE VEHICLE FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS ON MOTOR VEHICLES."
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
VAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 8 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES," THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHE
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 INSTALLATI
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
VAN CONVERSIONS IS RECALLING 74 MY 2004-2007 FORD E-150, E-250 E-350 AND MY 2006 GM SAVANNA 3500 VANS BUILT ON FORD AND GM 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
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
VAN CONVERSIONS IS RECALLING 52 MY 2004-2007 FORD E-150, E-250 E-350 AND MY 2006 GM SAVANNA 3500 VANS BUILT ON FORD AND GM CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LI
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
HANDICAPPED DRIVER SERVICES IS RECALLING 3 MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD E-250 RENTAL VANS 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 INSTALLATION
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
ON CERTAIN VANS BUILT ON FORD E250/E350 CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON CERTAIN VANS, THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT MATERIAL PROCESS RESULTED IN AN AIR FILTER PAPER ELEMENT THAT CAN SMOLDER OR BURN. THIS CHANGE IN FILTER PAPER COMPOSITION COMBINED WITH THE CONFIGURATION OF THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM, MAY ALLOW HOT CARBON PARTICLES TO CONTACT THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT DURING CER
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ON CERTAIN VANS, A DIODE IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL TANKS THAT COULD BE INSTALLED INTO MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 E-150, E-250, AND E-350 VANS AND WAGONS. THE AFFECTED FUEL TANKS HAVE AN EXTRA OBDII SENSOR HOLE ON THE TOP OF THE TANK THAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEALED AND MAY LEAK FUEL.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
QUALITY VANS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2006 VANS 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 MA
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
QUALITY VANS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 VANS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 2005 AND NOVEMBER 2007, 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 INSTALLAT
I arrived at my destination, lined up to park, shifted my foot from accelerator to brake and ... YIKES the engine was racing like crazy. I put both feet on the brake, shoving hard, engine continues to accelerate over the curb & into a fence. Pulling against the brakes, the engine continued to race. I reached to yank it out of gear, when it TOOK OFF backwards across the parking lot. Still standing on the brakes, I frantically looked for a path that would give me time to kill the engine. skipped the window that I couldn't see if there were PEOPLE on the other side of it ... angled to go around parked cars and went for the ignition switch to kill the engine. After I got the engine switch off, the momentum carried me into the first parked car, which shoved it into the next parked car. THANK GOODNESS there were no people in either, nor in the parking lot!! No warnings of any kind. The entire vehicle is available for inspection; it has yet to be inspected. There is no way I would
The contact owns a 2004 Ford E-250. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle coasted to the side of the road and the contact waited for a minute to restart the vehicle before starting to drive however, the failure persisted. No warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle but could not duplicate the failure. The mechanic believed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V270000 (Electrical System) and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure and the recall but was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall and that the recall only included the diesel engine vehicles. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. The VIN was not available.
Mileage: 110,000
The contact owns a 2004 Ford E-250. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle coasted to the side of the road and the contact waited for a minute to restart the vehicle before starting to drive however, the failure persisted. No warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle but could not duplicate the failure. The mechanic believed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V270000 (Electrical System) and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure and the recall but was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall and that the recall only included the diesel engine vehicles. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. The VIN was not available.
Mileage: 110,000
THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ONCE IGNTION WAS TURNED OVER. NO ACCIDENT JUST DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON.
Mileage: 135,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD E250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLUE THAT HELD THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PAD SEPARATED FROM THE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED HE TRIED TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT IT WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL AND IF THERE WAS A RECALL IN THE FUTURE HE WOULD RECEIVE A REIMBURSEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,339.
Mileage: 175,339
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 FORD E 250. THE CONTACT STATED IN ORDER TO REMOVE HIS KEYS FROM THE IGNITION; HE WOULD HAVE TO PRESS AND HOLD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HOLD THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR IN THE PARK POSITION WHILE APPLYING SLIGHT FORCE. THE CONTACT FOUND (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V051000: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL) WHICH HE BELIEVED WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT IS DEFECTIVE.THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO COVER THE REPAIR EXPENSE FOR ALL THREE FAILURES. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,400 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Mileage: 9,400
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 FORD E 250. THE CONTACT STATED IN ORDER TO REMOVE HIS KEYS FROM THE IGNITION; HE WOULD HAVE TO PRESS AND HOLD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HOLD THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR IN THE PARK POSITION WHILE APPLYING SLIGHT FORCE. THE CONTACT FOUND (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V051000: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL) WHICH HE BELIEVED WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT IS DEFECTIVE.THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO COVER THE REPAIR EXPENSE FOR ALL THREE FAILURES. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,400 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Mileage: 9,400
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 FORD E 250. THE CONTACT STATED IN ORDER TO REMOVE HIS KEYS FROM THE IGNITION; HE WOULD HAVE TO PRESS AND HOLD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HOLD THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR IN THE PARK POSITION WHILE APPLYING SLIGHT FORCE. THE CONTACT FOUND (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V051000: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL) WHICH HE BELIEVED WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT IS DEFECTIVE.THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO COVER THE REPAIR EXPENSE FOR ALL THREE FAILURES. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,400 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Mileage: 9,400
2004 E-250 STANDARD-LENGTH VAN (CONVERSION) WITH 4-WHEEL ABS DISC BRAKES. THE RIGHT REAR AXLE-TO-CALIPER BRACKET BROKE (CRACKED) COMPLETELY THROUGH ONE EAR AND COULD'VE SHEARED THE REMAINING EAR PERMITTING THE CALIPER TO COMPLETELY BREAK FREE, POTENTIALLY SHEARING THE BRAKE LINE AND CAUSING THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL TO LOCK/SEIZE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS RESULTS. FAILED PN (ORIGINAL) WAS PART NUMBER XC2Z2B292AA WAS SUPERSEDED BY PART NUMBER 5C2Z2B511CA. *TR
Mileage: 69,000
FORD HAS NOT NOTIFIED THEIR CUSTOMERS OF THE 04S22 SAFETY RECALL AS OF 10/6/04. ON DEALER'S NOTIFICATION , POSIIBILITY OF SHORT IN ABS MODULE COULD START FIRE IN UNATTENDED VEHICLE - WITH THE IGNITION OFF WAS STATED. AS WELL AS A WARNING NOT TO PARK ANY UNSOLD RECALLED VEHICLES INSIDE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WILL NOT COME BACK TO THE ORIGINAL POSITION. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR BOX. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTERWARDS, THE RADIO, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND BACK UP LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AGAIN. *AK
Mileage: 3,800
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WILL NOT COME BACK TO THE ORIGINAL POSITION. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR BOX. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTERWARDS, THE RADIO, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND BACK UP LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AGAIN. *AK
Mileage: 3,800
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WILL NOT COME BACK TO THE ORIGINAL POSITION. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR BOX. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTERWARDS, THE RADIO, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND BACK UP LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AGAIN. *AK
Mileage: 3,800
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WILL NOT COME BACK TO THE ORIGINAL POSITION. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR BOX. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTERWARDS, THE RADIO, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND BACK UP LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AGAIN. *AK
Mileage: 3,800
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Data as of 2025. 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.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.