FaultScore

FaultScore report

2000 Ford E-250 problems

Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 2000 Ford E-250 with NHTSA between 2000 and 2013. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 17 worst.

D

FaultScore 64/100

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

How this is worked out

The numbers

21

Complaints

4

Crashes reported

2

Fires reported

3

Injuries reported

43,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

22%

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.

Complaint volume 52 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 38 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 52
Against the median year of the Ford E-250. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
42.9% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 38
22% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2000 compares with every other Ford E-250

Click any bar to open that year's report.

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

What breaks on a 2000 Ford E-250

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

Brakes 5 23.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Suspension 4 19.0%

Median failure at 8,700 miles

Tires 2 9.5%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 43,000 mi

Steering 2 9.5%

Median failure at 44,038 miles

Electrical System 2 9.5%

0 crashes, 2 fires · median 163,690 mi

Engine & Cooling 2 9.5%

Median failure at 45,200 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 4.8%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

Body & Structure 1 4.8%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

Airbags 1 4.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 4.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires

When it fails

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

1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 11.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 11.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 4 44.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 11.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 1 11.1%
150,000+ miles 1 11.1%

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.

Feb 2000 peak 2 Dec 2013

NHTSA investigations into the 2000 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...

Complaints that involved harm

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

at 208,380 miles Arlington, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

UNDER HOOD FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10168782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 119,000 miles Pleasant Lake, MI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR TWO DAYS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CONTACT'S HOUSE, THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE OWNED BY THE CONTACT. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE WIRING OF THE VEHICLE IN BACK OF THE BATTERY. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10168254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV Crash 1 injured

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

215/75R/16 FIRESTONE STEELEX WITH OVER 50% OF LIFE LEFT SEPARATED FROM ITS TREAD. THE 3/4 TON VAN SKIDDED ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY, AND FINALLY ROLLED OVER. THE VAN WAS TOTALED. THE TIRE FAILED WHEN LESS THEN MID LIFE WAS LEFT. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10016179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Petaluma, CA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THIS VEHICLE HAS A "DEAD" SPOT BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE GIVING ONE THE IMPRESION THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK WHEN IN FACT IT IS BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. IT FALLS INTO THIS POSITION RATHER EASILY. WHEN THE SPRING ON THE SHIFTER ITSELF IS RELEASED IT SNAPS MIMIKING THE SOUND OF THE SHIFTER ENGAGING FULLY IN PARK. THE CAR WILL NOW BE IN A NEUTRAL POSTION WHERE AS THE MOTOR CAN BE REVED AS IF ONE WAS IN PARK . NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CAR SLIPED INTO REVERSE AFTER I HAD EXITED THE VEHICLE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IN MY OPINION THE SHIFTER SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET IN THIS POSITION AS EASILY AS IT DOES AND AN "IDIOT" NOISE SHOULD SOUND IF THE DOOR IS OPENEND LETTING ONE KNOW THE CAR IS NOT ENGAGED IN PARK PROPERLY. THIS ALMOST CAUSED A CATOSTOPHIC ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #740200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Revere, MA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE TRAVELING AND WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL. APPLIED BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOORBOARD, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT A TREE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint #854986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Revere, MA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE TRAVELING AND WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL. APPLIED BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOORBOARD, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT A TREE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint #854986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

at 40,000 miles Washington Crossing, PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND STATED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE AREA THAT WAS EXPOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA complaint #10555043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Washington Crossing, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND STATED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE AREA THAT WAS EXPOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA complaint #10555043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,000 miles Burbank, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

2000 FORD E250 VAN, PURCHASED NEW AUG 2000. PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY, 5 YEARS. NOVEMBER 2005; HARMONIC BALANCER FELL OFF ENGINE. ~79K MILES (APPROX 3 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY) TOWED TO DEALER AND REPAIRED. JULY 2007; HARMONIC BALANCER FELL OFF ENGINE. ~101K MILES. TOWED TO DEALER AND REPAIRED. REPAIR PARTS ARE WARRANTED FOR 12 MONTHS. THIS IS 8 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. PLEASE NOTE: HARMONIC BALANCERS DO NOT USUALLY FALL OFF OF ENGINES. THIS REPAIR HAS A 12 MONTH WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10197959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 208,380 miles Arlington, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

UNDER HOOD FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10168782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 119,000 miles Pleasant Lake, MI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR TWO DAYS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CONTACT'S HOUSE, THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE OWNED BY THE CONTACT. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE WIRING OF THE VEHICLE IN BACK OF THE BATTERY. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10168254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,400 miles Blue Springs, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

BROKEN VALVE SPRING, 2 BENT PISTON RODS, 1 BROKEN PISTON ROD, TWO DAMAGED PISTONS, 2 HEADS REPLACED, GASKETS REPLACED WATER HAS BEEN THE CAUSE BUT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS ALWAYS TESTED OK AS WELL AS THE HEADS.

NHTSA complaint #10143966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Charlotte, NC

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

SPARE TIRE ON 2000 FORD ECONOLINE 250 WAS DEFECTIVE AND COULD NOT BE USED. OUNG FORD IN CHARLOTTE, NC DENIES RESPONSIBILITY AND FIRESTONE TIRES CLAIMS THAT THE TIRE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 1998 AND IS THEREFORE OUT OF WARRANTY.*AK FIRESTONE LT225/75R16 TUBELESS RADIAL TIRE, 32480UR BM18047. *BF

NHTSA complaint #10114284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,038 miles Lorain, OH

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

POWER STEERING LEAKS AND PUMP FAILURE ON 2000 FORD ECONLINE E250. VEHICLES HAD PUMPS RELACED.

NHTSA complaint #10082731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV Crash 1 injured

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

215/75R/16 FIRESTONE STEELEX WITH OVER 50% OF LIFE LEFT SEPARATED FROM ITS TREAD. THE 3/4 TON VAN SKIDDED ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY, AND FINALLY ROLLED OVER. THE VAN WAS TOTALED. THE TIRE FAILED WHEN LESS THEN MID LIFE WAS LEFT. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10016179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,700 miles Norcross, GA

SUSPENSION

WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND PULL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER IT WAS A PRODUCT DEFECT AND WOULD NO LONGER REPAIR, SINCE THERE REALLY WAS NO SOLUTION. TS

NHTSA complaint #8023606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orchard Park, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

VEHICLE WILL PULL EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. SOMETIMES IT WILL GO INTO THE OTHER LANE .THIS WILL OCCUR FOR DAYS THEN STOP FOR A FEW DAYS. ITS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP AND STILL PULLS. THIS IS THE SECOND 2000 VAN THAT DID THIS. THE DEALERSHIP GAVE ME ANOTHER VEHICLE IN AUG, 2000.

NHTSA complaint #759065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cranesville, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT. IN SNOW BRAKES LOCK UP. *AK CONSUMER STATES WHEN BRAKES FAIL, THERE IS STEERING ABILITY. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #885031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Petaluma, CA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THIS VEHICLE HAS A "DEAD" SPOT BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE GIVING ONE THE IMPRESION THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK WHEN IN FACT IT IS BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. IT FALLS INTO THIS POSITION RATHER EASILY. WHEN THE SPRING ON THE SHIFTER ITSELF IS RELEASED IT SNAPS MIMIKING THE SOUND OF THE SHIFTER ENGAGING FULLY IN PARK. THE CAR WILL NOW BE IN A NEUTRAL POSTION WHERE AS THE MOTOR CAN BE REVED AS IF ONE WAS IN PARK . NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CAR SLIPED INTO REVERSE AFTER I HAD EXITED THE VEHICLE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IN MY OPINION THE SHIFTER SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET IN THIS POSITION AS EASILY AS IT DOES AND AN "IDIOT" NOISE SHOULD SOUND IF THE DOOR IS OPENEND LETTING ONE KNOW THE CAR IS NOT ENGAGED IN PARK PROPERLY. THIS ALMOST CAUSED A CATOSTOPHIC ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #740200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Statten Island, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #879909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wexford, PA

SUSPENSION:REAR

REAR END KEEPS GRABBING WHEN MAKING A BEND,EVENTUALLY FAILING, AND CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. REAR END HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES WITHIN 12,000 MILES . DEALER CAN ONLY SUGGEST TO ADD MORE MILES, AND CLUTCHES WILL WEAR IN.

NHTSA complaint #876372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sarasota, FL

SUSPENSION

VEHICLE WILL WANDER OFF TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED STEERING GEAR BOX AND ADJUSTED IT. CONSUMER IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #868032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sarasota, FL

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

VEHICLE WILL WANDER OFF TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED STEERING GEAR BOX AND ADJUSTED IT. CONSUMER IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #868032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Patterson, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO STOP, AND VAN WOULD NOT STOP. BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED, BUT WAS OUT OF PROPER LANE, AND WENT INTO THE ENTER SECTION.

NHTSA complaint #858340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT, CAUSING POOR VEHICLE CONTROL. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #857939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Revere, MA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE TRAVELING AND WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL. APPLIED BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOORBOARD, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT A TREE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint #854986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Revere, MA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE TRAVELING AND WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL. APPLIED BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOORBOARD, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT A TREE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint #854986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.