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1999 problems

FaultScore report

1999 Ford E-250 problems

Owners have filed 56 complaints about the 1999 Ford E-250 with NHTSA between 1999 and 2017. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 17 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Ford E-250 All 1999 cars

FaultScore 95/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Ford E-250.

How this is worked out

The numbers

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

50,777 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

44%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.

Complaint volume — 100: Against the median year of the Ford E-250. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100: 19.6% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 76: 44% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1999 compares with every other Ford E-250

Click any bar to open that year's report.

1 11 30 7 14 19 24 31 30 56 21 18 18 22 14 12 14 7 10 2 12 9 13 13 7 2 3 1

90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 22

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1999 Ford E-250

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 11 19.6%

Median failure at 88,775 miles

Brakes 8 14.3%

Median failure at 130,000 miles

Tires 7 12.5%

Median failure at 32,000 miles

Suspension 7 12.5%

Median failure at 24,600 miles

Electrical System 5 8.9%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Equipment & Accessories 3 5.4%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 59,555 mi

Body & Structure 3 5.4%

Transmission & Drivetrain 3 5.4%

Median failure at 9,000 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 2 3.6%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Fuel & Propulsion 2 3.6%

Steering 2 3.6%

Median failure at 1,661 miles

Seat Belts 1 1.8%

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 1.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 59,555 mi

Airbags 1 1.8%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 5.6%

1,000 – 9,999 miles 4 22.2%

10,000 – 24,999 miles 3 16.7%

25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 5.6%

50,000 – 74,999 miles 2 11.1%

75,000 – 99,999 miles 2 11.1%

100,000 – 149,999 miles 4 22.2%

150,000+ miles 1 5.6%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Nov 1999 peak 12 Mar 2017

NHTSA investigations into the 1999 Ford E-250

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA10003 Opened 13 Apr 2010 Closed 5 Mar 2012 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

HVAC Switch Failures

This investigation was opened based on one complaint and reports from four transportation fleets alleging 182 blower motor control switch failures.ODI was concerned that these melting and burning switches could lead to an open flame that could spread throughout the vehicle.After a comprehensive review of all data related to overheating blower motor control switches in the subject vehicles, ODI did not identify the existence of a safety defect trend.ODI reviewed 1,036 complaints, claims, and field reports of failed blower motor control switches and determined that only two fires were likely to...

DP05005 Opened 22 Sep 2005 Closed 4 Jan 2006 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN A...

Recalls on the 1999 Ford E-250

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

09V399000 13 Oct 2009

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Risk: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

08V051000 4 Feb 2008

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.

Risk: AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.

07V336000 3 Aug 2007

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

00V284000 21 Sep 2000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL CNG PICKUP TRUCKS AND BI-FUEL CNG VANS, MODIFIED BY CFI CONTROL SYSTEMS, INC., FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 303, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY OF COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS VEHICLES." THE LABEL AFFIXED TO THE FUEL FILLER DOOR BY THE VEHICLE MODIFIER CONTAINS THE INSPECTION DATE AND EXPIRATION DATE OF THE CNG TANK. HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT CONTAIN THE STATEMENT "SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FUEL CONTAINER FOR INSPECTION AND SERVICE LIFE."

Risk: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.

99V046000 15 Mar 1999

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: UTILITY VANS EQUIPPED WITH THE "60/40" HINGED SIDE CARGO DOORS. THE STRIKERS FOR THE 60/40 DOOR SINGLE LATCH SYSTEM WERE FOUND TO CONTAIN STRESS CRACKS AT THE STRIKER WIRE LOWER STAKE JOINT. STRIKERS WITH STRESS CRACKS MAY NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."

Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DOOR STRIKERS MAY NOT HOLD THE DOOR, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Filed 22 Sep 2006 at 59,555 miles Seaford, DE Crash 3 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

AFTER FULL ACCELERATION, THE THROTTLE ON MY 1999 FORD E250 STUCK WIDE OPEN. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHUT OFF AND THERE WAS NO TIME TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE HAS ADAPTIVE CONTROLS MAKING SHIFTING MORE DIFFICULT THAN FOR A NON-DISABLED DRIVER. THE ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT COULD BE THE CAUSE, BUT MOST LIKELY IT WAS THE FORD THROTTLE.

NHTSA complaint #10168986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Sep 2006 at 59,555 miles Seaford, DE Crash 3 injured

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

NHTSA complaint #10168986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 23 Mar 2001 MC Henry, IL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

THE HI/LO FAN SWITCH BURNED OUT. TOXIC FUMES ENTERED VEHICLE. SUFFERED HEADACHES & UPSET STOMACH. LATER ON A FIRE CAUSED WIRES TO MELT DOWN. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP'S MECHANIC , AND INFORMED SWITCH GOING OUT WAS COMMON. HAVE ORDERED PART FOR REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #884035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 23 Mar 2001 MC Henry, IL Fire

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT

NHTSA complaint #884035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Sep 2000 Cascadia, OR 1 injured

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

IT WAS A HANDICAP CONVERSION PURCHASED THROUGH COACHCRAFT, IN BROWNSVILLE PAYED FOR ON FEB 5,1999.THE ACTUAL CONVERSION DONE BY VANTAGE MOBILITY IN PHOENIX AR.WAS NOT DELIVERD TILL 6-11-99 AND HAS BEEN A CONSTANT SOURCE OF PROBLEMS.THE LIFT WAS INSTALLED WRONG AND WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY OR RELIABLY FOR ME THE HANDICAPPED TO BE INDEPENDENT, THE FUEL TANK WHEN FILLED LEAKS FUME INTO THE INTERIOR CHOKING EVERYONE AND FORCING US TO EXIT THE VEHICLE TILL FUMES CLEAR, THE AIR BAG HAS WARNING ON DASH SAYING DO NOT OPERATE VEHICLE IF LIGHT FLASH'S, THE LIGHT HAS ALWAYS FLASHED AND WE'RE TOLD DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. WE HAVE $46,000 DOLLARS INVESTED IN A VEHICLE THAT HAS SPENT MORE TIME IN THE SHOP,OVER THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF WE HAVE ACTUALLY HAD THE VEHICLE ONLY 90 DAYS TOTAL TIME AND EACH TIME WE PICK IT UP ITS LIKE IT HAS NEVER BEEN WORKED ON. VANTAGE WILL NOT ACKNOWLEGE ANY COMUNICATIONS WE'VE SENT AND COACHCRAFT HAS IGNORED OUR PROBLEM.THE LATEST PARTY LINE IS "THE PARTS ARE LOST IN THE MAIL".E

NHTSA complaint #731408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Sep 2000 Cascadia, OR 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

NHTSA complaint #731408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Filed 28 Mar 2017 at 95,551 miles Harrisonburg, VA

ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #10969126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 28 Jun 2012 at 130,000 miles Greenwich, CT

SERVICE BRAKES

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.

NHTSA complaint #10463421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 4 Aug 2011 at 110,000 miles North Fort Myers, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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).

NHTSA complaint #10417014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 24 Feb 2011 at 105,000 miles Bensalem, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

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.

NHTSA complaint #10384327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 28 Jul 2010 at 158,563 miles Congers, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10345806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 19 Mar 2010 at 82,000 miles Winfield, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10320942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.