Total Complaints
10 filings
FORD E-SERIES · model year
10 NHTSA complaints, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005FORDE-SERIES carries 10 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 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 2005 E-SERIES is fuel system, diesel with 3 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (2) and electrical system (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 6 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 2005 E-SERIES, 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
10 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
NEW ENGLAND WHEELS, INC. IS RECALLING 513 RICON WHEELCHAIR LIFTS WHICH IT INSTALLED ON MY 2005 THROUGH 2007 FORD E-SERIES COMMERCIAL VANS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRE
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
NEW ENGLAND WHEELS IS RECALLING 513 MY 2005-2007 FORD E-SERIES VEHICLES 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 SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NO
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
AMERICAN EMERGENCY VEHICLES IS RECALLING 8 MY 2005-2006 E-SERIES VANS BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS ON MOTOR VEHICLES." T
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
AMERICAN EMERGENCY VEHICLES IS RECALLING 8 MY 2005-2006 E-SERIES VANS BUILT ON FORD 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 LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
MOBILITY IS RECALLING 43 MY 2005-2006 FORD E-SERIES AND CHEVROLET EXPRESS 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
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
MOBILITY IS RECALLING 86 MY 2005-2006 FORD E-SERIES AND CHEVROLET EXPRESS VAN 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 ON MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WA
TOTAL FAILURE OF DIESEL ENGINE. APPARENT DEFECTIVE ENGINE DESIGN IN THE FORD/NAVISTAR 6L POWESTROKE ACROSS SEVERAL MODEL YEARS HAS BEEN REPORTED ON INTERNET. *JS
Mileage: 77,559
THE PAINT ON THE BACK OF THE VAN FROM THE TOP TO THE BUMPER IN AN APPROXIMATE 1 FOOT SWATH HAS PEELED OFF. A BODY SHOP GUY SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T PUT A THICK ENOUGH COAT ON OR THAT THE BASE WAS FAULTY. *TR
Mileage: 100,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ECONOLINE 350 VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEATBELTS WERE DEFECTIVE (SECOND ROW CAPTAIN SEAT BEHIND THE PASSENGER SIDE/CAPTAIN CHAIR BEHIND THE DRIVERS SEAT). THE CONTACT SAID THE SEATBELT DISLODGED FROM THE HINGE AND WOULD NOT LOCK IN PLACE. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SHE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BENCH SEAT (THIRD ROW) WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE WHEN A CHILD WAS BEING PLACED IN ITS CHILD SEAT. UPDATED 2/9/2012 *CN RECEIVED 5/5/15 WITH NO CHANGES *CN
Mileage: 40,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ECONOLINE 350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH UP A HILL THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO DELAMINATION IN THE GASOLINE TANK AND THAT THE FUEL PUMP, OIL AND FUEL FILTERS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Mileage: 69,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE COULD SMELL FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE ESCAPED FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LINER ON THE FUEL TANK TWICE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DIESEL FUEL ATE THROUGH THE LINING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000.
Mileage: 50,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL, AND THEN IMMEDIATELY RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, SINCE THE TECHNICIANS ARE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,800.
Mileage: 52,800
OUR STREET NEEDS A SPEED BUMP ON 42ND AVE S BETWEEN FINDLEY AND ORCAS. THERE ARE MANY CHILDREN AND CARS GO TOO FAST. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ECONOLINE VAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FUSES BEGAN TO SHORT OUT ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A PIECE OF METAL LOCATED IN THE FUSE RACK THAT TOUCHED THE WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL WIRING TO SHORT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF NOT HAVING THE WIRING HARNESS PROPERLY COVERED, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE MORE ELECTRICAL FAILURES OR A FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE DEALER TO PLACE THE WIRING HARNESS BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL STATE. THERE WAS NO TYPE OF PROTECTION OR COVERING OVER THE WIRING HARNESS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 50,000.
Mileage: 50,000
THE VEHICLE, A FORD E350 6.0L DIESEL WOULD LOSE POWER WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. AFTER WAITING ABOUT 20 MINUTES, SOMETIMES WOULD START UP BUT MOST OF THE TIME WOULD HAVE TO BE TOWED. THIS WOULD OCCUR WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN 20-40 MILES WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARMED. THIS HAS OCCURRED A TOTAL OF OVER 15 TIMES, EACH FAILURE HAVING A SMALLER TIME IN BETWEEN THAN THE ONE PREVIOUS. VERY DANGEROUS. ALMOST HIT A CAR TRYING TO GET ON THE SHOULDER BEFORE A COMPLETE FAILURE. WHENEVER THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, I WOULD HAVE TO TRY TO GET ON THE SHOULDER DURING RUSH HOUR WHILE ON THE #1 LANE. THE SPEED WOULD STEADILY SLOW DOWN UNTIL IT COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP WHERE IT WOULD THEN SHUT OFF. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. AS I WAS TRYING TO TURN INTO A STREET TO GET OFF HIGHWAY 29 SOUTHBOUND, I MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED. AS I WAS TURNING, THE ENGINE CUT OFF, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, AND THE FRONT HALF O
Mileage: 42,000
THE VAN WOULD START LOSING POWER ON THE HIGHWAY, WHERE EVEN IF THE ACCELERATOR IS PUSHED DOWN, THE VAN CONTINUES TO LOSE SPEED. THE VAN EVENTUALLY REACHES A SPEED OF 0 MPH AND AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE STALLS. AFTER WAITING 20 MINUTES ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, TURNING THE ENGINE OFF FOR 20 MINUTES THEN STARTING IT SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY GET IT GOING, BUT ONLY FOR ANOTHER 30 MINUTES. SINCE THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, IT WOULD REOCCUR ALMOST EVERY OTHER DAY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS DURING THE MORNING RUSH HOUR WHEN DRIVING ON THE NUMBER 2 LANE BECAUSE THE SPEED DECREASES AS IF THE ACCELERATOR IS NOT PUSHED. BECAUSE OF THIS DRAMATIC LOSS OF SPEED, VEHICLES BEHIND MY VAN EITHER BRAKE OR CHANGE LANES FAST. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GO FROM THE NUMBER 2 LANE TO THE NUMBER 4 LANE WHILE LOSING SPEED. THE VAN WAS BROUGHT TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER THE 5 YEAR/100,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND CHARGED MY FOR IT. THE NEXT WEEK
Mileage: 38,000
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.