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Ford E 250 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Ford E 250 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
34
Years to Avoid
2006, 2004
Best Years
2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 1993, 1990
2023Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls19 TSBs
2022
1 complaints0 recalls30 TSBs
2021Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2020Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2019Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2018Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2017Best Year
3 complaints0 recalls21 TSBs
2016Best Year
2 complaints0 recalls21 TSBs
2015Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls23 TSBs
2014
7 complaints11 recalls25 TSBs
2013
13 complaints10 recalls29 TSBs
2012
13 complaints11 recalls24 TSBs
2011
9 complaints17 recalls28 TSBs
2010
12 complaints12 recalls29 TSBs
2009
2 complaints18 recalls24 TSBs
2008
10 complaints21 recalls1 invest.16 TSBs
2007
7 complaints26 recalls1 invest.13 TSBs
2006Avoid
14 complaints30 recalls1 invest.47 TSBs
2005
12 complaints10 recalls1 invest.56 TSBs
2004Avoid
14 complaints18 recalls2 invest.69 TSBs
2003
22 complaints7 recalls2 invest.15 TSBs
2002
18 complaints4 recalls2 invest.13 TSBs
2001
18 complaints3 recalls2 invest.21 TSBs
2000
21 complaints4 recalls2 invest.30 TSBs
1999
56 complaints5 recalls2 invest.32 TSBs
1998
30 complaints4 recalls2 invest.30 TSBs
1997
31 complaints3 recalls3 invest.63 TSBs
1996
24 complaints3 recalls49 TSBs
1995
19 complaints3 recalls47 TSBs
1994
14 complaints3 recalls1 invest.39 TSBs
1993Best Year
7 complaints3 recalls1 invest.9 TSBs
1992
30 complaints3 recalls3 invest.7 TSBs
1991
11 complaints1 recalls5 invest.5 TSBs
1990Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Ford E 250 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2006, 2004 Ford E 250 are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Ford E 250, consider the 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 1993, 1990 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

34 model years analyzed