Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 2004 Ford E-250 with NHTSA between 2004 and 2022.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 15 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 — 35
Against the median year of the Ford E-250. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 37
7.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 99
58% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2004 Ford E-250
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
321.4%
Median failure at 59,700 miles
Lights
214.3%
Median failure at 3,800 miles
Brakes
214.3%
Median failure at 122,169 miles
Other & Unspecified
17.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Equipment & Accessories
17.1%
Median failure at 3,800 miles
Seats
17.1%
Median failure at 9,400 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
17.1%
Median failure at 9,400 miles
Steering
17.1%
Median failure at 3,800 miles
Airbags
17.1%
Median failure at 135,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
17.1%
Median failure at 110,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
758.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
18.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
325.0%
150,000+ miles
18.3%
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 2004peak 4Jun 2022
NHTSA investigations into the 2004 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.
Brush Prairie, WACrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 drive this suicidal-murdering death-trap ANYWHERE, so I had it towed. Police and insurance have been notified.
NHTSA complaint #11468282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Brush Prairie, WACrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 drive this suicidal-murdering death-trap ANYWHERE, so I had it towed. Police and insurance have been notified.
NHTSA complaint #11468282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesEmmaus, PA
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11451171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesEmmaus, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11451171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesDouglasville, GA
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ONCE IGNTION WAS TURNED OVER. NO ACCIDENT JUST DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON.
NHTSA complaint #11062583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 175,339 milesAttleboro Falls, MA
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10485290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,400 milesWoodbridge, NJ
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10325732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,400 milesWoodbridge, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10325732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,400 milesWoodbridge, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10325732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,000 milesBrentwood, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10232750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, DE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10093688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,800 milesGalt, CA
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10057751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,800 milesGalt, CA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10057751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,800 milesGalt, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10057751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,800 milesGalt, CA
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN
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.
NHTSA complaint #10057751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.