Owners have filed 18 complaints
about the 2001 Ford E-250 with NHTSA between 2002 and 2017.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 17 worst.
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 — 45
Against the median year of the Ford E-250. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
27.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 13
8% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
17.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
430.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
646.2%
150,000+ miles
215.4%
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.
Jul 2002peak 3Jan 2017
NHTSA investigations into the 2001 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.
EA10003Opened 13 Apr 2010Closed 5 Mar 2012ELECTRICAL 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...
DP05005Opened 22 Sep 2005Closed 4 Jan 2006ENGINE 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 128,000 milesBeaumont, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I OWN A 2001 F250 FORD WITH AN 5.4L GAS ENGINE . THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT BREAKING IGNITION COIL CAUSING SMALL FIRE . THE THREADS WERE GONE AND HEADS MUST BE REPLACED ON VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10354953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 137,000 milesSanta Rosa, CAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN A 2001 FORD E250 VAN. THIS VAN HAS BEEN A RELIABLE VEHICLE AND MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN EASY AND PREDICTABLE. HOWEVER TODAY THE THIRD SPARK PLUG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THOUGH IT WAS A EXHAUST LEAK AT FIRST BECAUSE OF THE SOUND. I PULLED OF THE FREEWAY AND OPENED THE ENGINE COVER. AT THIS POINT I RESTARTED THE ENGINE TO FIND THE EXHAUST LEAK. A LARGE FLAME IMMEDIATELY BEGAN BURSTING OUT OF THE OPEN SPARK PLUG HOLE. ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF QUICKLY THIS SCARED ME CONSIDERABLY AS I KNOW THEIR ARE FUEL LINES THAT RUN RIGHT BY THE SPARK PLUG. I HAD IT TOWED FROM THEIR TO A SHOP. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY OF FORDS ENGINES. I EVEN FOUND CASES WERE CARS HAD BEEN DESTROYED BY FIRE AS A RESULT. IT CONCERNS ME THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. I DO NOT EXPECT WARRANTY FROM FORD FOR A VEHICLE THIS OLD. HOWEVER THIS SEEMS TO BE A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM AND I WOULD THINK THAT MERITS A RECALL. I HAVE A THREE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER THAT RIDES IN HER CAR SEAT NEXT TO ME IN THE VAN AT TIMES. THAT CAR SEAT IS LESS THAN TWO FEET FROM THE SPARK PLUG IN QUESTION. SEPARATED ONLY BY A THIN ENGINE COVER. AGAIN I AM REALLY QUITE AMAZED THAT THIS HAS NOT RESULTED IN A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10272715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tiverton, RICrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD E250. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER RECEIVED NECK INJURIES AND WAS HOSPITALIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR. RHODE ISLAND POLICE FILED REPORT NUMBER T-08209-AC. NO OTHER VEHICLE OR DEALER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10222366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Okemos, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE VAN FAILED TO ACCELERATE ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE EXPRESSWAY. AFTER GETTING UP TO SPEED THE FIRE STARTED FULL BLAST.
NHTSA complaint #764286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 130,000 milesRoyal OAK, MI
ENGINE
SPARK PLUG ON CYLINDER #7 BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. 2ND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THIS VEHICLE. REPAIR SHOP STATES IT IS NOT REPAIRABLE THIS TIME APPROX. $3000 FOR NEW HEAD INSTALLED. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON THIS 5.4 TRITION ENGINE. FORD SHOULD RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM 130,000 MILES ON THIS TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #10947861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesBeaumont, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I OWN A 2001 F250 FORD WITH AN 5.4L GAS ENGINE . THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT BREAKING IGNITION COIL CAUSING SMALL FIRE . THE THREADS WERE GONE AND HEADS MUST BE REPLACED ON VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10354953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesRogue River, OR
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 30MPH ON A RURAL ROAD, THE REAR SPARE TIRE FELL OFF OF MY 2001 FORD E250 VAN. TIRE WAS SUSPENDED BELOW REAR VEHICLE. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER IN GRANTS PASS OR SAID THE CABLE WAS CORRODED CAUSING THE TIRE TO FALL OFF. HERE IN SOUTHERN OREGON WE DO NOT USE SALT ON OUR ROADS DURING THE WINTER AND WE HAVE LESS RAINFALL THAN NORTHERN OREGON SO CORROSION FAULT IS QUESTIONABLE. THE COST TO REPLACE CABLE WAS NOT REALISTIC AND IF THEY USED A QUALITY CABLE, THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. I WAS LUCKY I WAS NOT DRIVING ON A FREEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #10341442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,854 milesWoodstock, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE #2 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD AND STRIPPED OUT THE THREADS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO REINSTALL THE SPARK PLUG WITHOUT HAVING MAJOR ENGINE WORK DONE. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE IN THIS ENGINE. I HAVE SINCE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BEFORE THE HEADS WERE PUT INTO PRODUCTION. THE FORD DEALERSHIP WANTS APPROXIMATELY $3000.00 TO REPLACE THE HEADS. I HAVE USED AN AFTERMARKET REPAIR KIT APPROVED BY, BUT NOT USED BY FORD. REMOVED PART IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. I AM LOSING COUNTLESS HOURS OF WORK TIME, I AM SELF-EMPLOYED, AND OVER $100.00 IN TOWING EXPENSES.
NHTSA complaint #10328608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesPort ST. Lucie, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD E250 VORTEC V8 AT APPROX. 30 MPH WHEN A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE. AN HOUR AND A HALF AWAY FROM HOME , IN A NOT SO GOOD AREA OF TOWN. I WAS LEFT STRANDED. 120,000 MILES ON ODOMETER.
NHTSA complaint #10328354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 137,000 milesSanta Rosa, CAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN A 2001 FORD E250 VAN. THIS VAN HAS BEEN A RELIABLE VEHICLE AND MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN EASY AND PREDICTABLE. HOWEVER TODAY THE THIRD SPARK PLUG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THOUGH IT WAS A EXHAUST LEAK AT FIRST BECAUSE OF THE SOUND. I PULLED OF THE FREEWAY AND OPENED THE ENGINE COVER. AT THIS POINT I RESTARTED THE ENGINE TO FIND THE EXHAUST LEAK. A LARGE FLAME IMMEDIATELY BEGAN BURSTING OUT OF THE OPEN SPARK PLUG HOLE. ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF QUICKLY THIS SCARED ME CONSIDERABLY AS I KNOW THEIR ARE FUEL LINES THAT RUN RIGHT BY THE SPARK PLUG. I HAD IT TOWED FROM THEIR TO A SHOP. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY OF FORDS ENGINES. I EVEN FOUND CASES WERE CARS HAD BEEN DESTROYED BY FIRE AS A RESULT. IT CONCERNS ME THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. I DO NOT EXPECT WARRANTY FROM FORD FOR A VEHICLE THIS OLD. HOWEVER THIS SEEMS TO BE A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM AND I WOULD THINK THAT MERITS A RECALL. I HAVE A THREE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER THAT RIDES IN HER CAR SEAT NEXT TO ME IN THE VAN AT TIMES. THAT CAR SEAT IS LESS THAN TWO FEET FROM THE SPARK PLUG IN QUESTION. SEPARATED ONLY BY A THIN ENGINE COVER. AGAIN I AM REALLY QUITE AMAZED THAT THIS HAS NOT RESULTED IN A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10272715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,000 milesFAR Hills, NJ
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR SPRING SHACKLE RUST OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10270141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,240 milesEast Dubuque, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
I STARTED TO HEAR EXHAUST NOISE ON MY 2001 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY WITH A V10 ENGINE WITH ONLY 53,000 MILES. IN CHECKING, I FOUND THAT THE BOLTS THAT WERE HOLD THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO THE ENGINE WERE BREAKING OFF AT THE CYLINDER HEAD. 6 OUT OFF 10 CYLINDERS HAD BROKEN BOLTS AND THE OTHER 4 WERE NEAR BREAKING. THERE IS A DANGER OF FIRE IN THE ENGINE DUE TO THE HOT EXHAUST GASES. THE REPAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE DUE TO HAVING TO REMOVE THE BOLT STUDS STILL IN THE ENGINE HEAD WITHOUT DOING ANY DAMAGE .
NHTSA complaint #10223421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tiverton, RICrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD E250. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER RECEIVED NECK INJURIES AND WAS HOSPITALIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR. RHODE ISLAND POLICE FILED REPORT NUMBER T-08209-AC. NO OTHER VEHICLE OR DEALER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10222366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesProctor, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD E-250. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH A POPPING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD, BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SOUND. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A SPARK PLUG WAS BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE THREAD IN THE CYLINDERS WITH AN INSERT KIT. THERE HAVE BEEN NO OTHER FAILURES SINCE THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *AK THE CONSUMER PROVIDED THE REPAIR INVOICE FOR THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/03/07
NHTSA complaint #10188039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesJacksonville, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANYTHING WRONG. A GRINDING NOISE STARTED, TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT DAY, NOW WE NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS VAN HAS ONLY 70,000 MILES ON IT. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #10110250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesJacksonville, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THIS VAN'S MOTOR CEASED UP FOR NO REASON ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. THERE WAS PLENTY OF OIL. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED FOR THIS VAN HAS 72,000. JUST OUT OF WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10110252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,338 milesDingmans Ferry, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH DRIVER HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK FORD ONLY REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE CYLINDER HEAD WHICH LEFT THE DRIVERS SIDE CYLINDER HEAD AT RISK. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10111269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BOUGHT VEHICLE IN JAN 2001, 2003 STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, SLIPPING, NOT GOING IN REVERSE, ETC. BROUGHT TO JIFFY LUBE, FLUSHED OUT, SEEMED TO WORK BETTER. NOW JUNE 2004, SAME PROBLEM. I AM LEAD TO BELIEVE THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE.
NHTSA complaint #10074668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,235 milesNewport, RI
TIRES
TREAD SEPARATION, NO ACTION FROM THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #10059063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Snellville, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW ON 04/30/01. WHILE DRIVING ON A DAILY BASIS, CONSUMER WOULD EXPERIENCE NAUSEA, BURNING EYES, SEVERE HEADACHES AND STOMACH CRAPS. PHYSICIAN DIAGNOSED CONSUMER WITH CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. DEALER DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED EGR VALVE AS CAUSE OF ILLNESS. CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT EGR VALVE IS LEAKING AGAIN, BECAUSE SYMPTOMS HAVE RESURFACED. TS
NHTSA complaint #10004411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berlin, CT
TIRES
OUR TRUCKS ARE VERY LOW MILEAGE, IMPECABLY MAINTAINED, THE TIRE PRESSURES ARE REGULARLY MONITORED AND ADJUSTED. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURED (AT 10,150 MILES) WITH THE TRUCK LOADED. THE VEHICLE HAS A GVW OF 8600 LBS. THE TRUCK WAS SCALED WITH THE LOAD AT 7760 LBS GVW WELL UNDER THE VEHICLE AND TIRE WEIGHT CAPACITES. THE TREAD SHOWED SEPARATION AND THE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED (AT 10,330 MILES) WITH THE TRUCK EMPTY, AGAIN THE TREAD SHOWED SEPARATION AND THE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT.
NHTSA complaint #768729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Okemos, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE VAN FAILED TO ACCELERATE ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE EXPRESSWAY. AFTER GETTING UP TO SPEED THE FIRE STARTED FULL BLAST.
NHTSA complaint #764286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.