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Ford E250 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Ford E250 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
39
Years to Avoid
1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1978
Best Years
2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991
2013Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
2012Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
2011Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
2010Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
2009Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
2008
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
2007Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
2006
2 complaints1 recalls
2005Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
2004Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2003
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.2 TSBs
2002
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
2001Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2000Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1999Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1998Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1997Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1996Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1995Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1994Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1993Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1992Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1991Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1990Avoid
3 complaints2 recalls6 invest.5 TSBs
1989Avoid
7 complaints2 recalls5 invest.5 TSBs
1988Avoid
2 complaints0 recalls4 invest.4 TSBs
1987Avoid
0 complaints2 recalls3 invest.4 TSBs
1986Avoid
0 complaints3 recalls4 invest.4 TSBs
1985Avoid
4 complaints5 recalls4 invest.3 TSBs
1984Avoid
2 complaints6 recalls3 invest.3 TSBs
1983Avoid
0 complaints6 recalls1 invest.4 TSBs
1982
0 complaints3 recalls1 invest.2 TSBs
1981
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.2 TSBs
1980
1 complaints2 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1979
1 complaints4 recalls1 invest.
1978Avoid
1 complaints6 recalls1 invest.
1977
0 complaints2 recalls
1976
0 complaints2 recalls
1975
0 complaints5 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 E250 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1978 Ford E250 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 E250, consider the 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

39 model years analyzed