RoadVitals

1994 Ford E-250

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest Mar 11, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Oct 13, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Ford E-250, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 39 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes330.0%
  • Electrical110.0%
  • Engine110.0%
  • Interior & seats110.0%
  • Steering110.0%
  • Tires & wheels110.0%
  • Airbags110.0%
  • Transmission110.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09V399000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Oct 13, 2009
4,500,000 units potentially affected
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
The risk: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
The remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 09S09View on NHTSA.gov
08V051000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

Feb 4, 2008
225,000 units potentially affected
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
The risk: AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 08S01View on NHTSA.gov
06V286000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Aug 1, 2006
1,200,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
The risk: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 05S28View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA95012ClosedEngineering Analysis

FAILURE OF SERPENTINE BELT

Opened Mar 31, 1995
Closed May 28, 1996

AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED.

POWER TRAINLed to recall 96I003001

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 11
Brakes
Filed Mar 11, 2019

REAR ABS MODULE FAILED. CAUSING OVER PRESSURIZATION OF FRONT BRAKES RESULTING IN PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE HOSE SEPARATION. SO NO REAR OR FRONT BRAKES! THANK GOD IT HAPPENED NEAR MY DRIVEWAY OTHERWISE PEOPLE COULD DIE. I HAD JUST REENTERED DRIVERS SEAT AND RELEASED PARKING BRAKE AND ENGAGED BRAKE PEDAL WITH 1 FOOT. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY POINTED IN A STRAIGHT LINE.

NHTSA ID
11185736
Incident
Dec 21, 2018
Mileage
105,025 mi
Transmission
Filed Nov 16, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD E250. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS GEARS WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 0-55 MPH. ALSO WHEN DRIVING UP- HILL OR DOWN- HILL, THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES FOR INSPECTION. THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED, AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS OVER 300,000.

NHTSA ID
10292269
Incident
Nov 9, 1997
Mileage
75,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 26, 2006

ALB ARE A DANGER TO DRIVER IN WET ROADS WHEN YOU GO TO STOP AND SLIDE BRAKES COME OFF IT TAKES TO LONG TO COME BACK ON . WHEN YOU NEED TO STOP TO AVOID A ACCIDENT YOU CAN STOP FASTER WITH OUT THEM BY PUMPING BRAKES WHEN THEY COME OFF THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO. WAIT TO HIT SOMEONE TILL BRAKE COME BACK. NOTHING SHOULD TAKE THE DRIVER AWAY FROM HIS CAR THEY WILL GET SOME ONE KILLED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10171867
Incident
Jul 15, 1994
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 18, 2003

OUR 1994 15 PASSENGER FORD VAN RIGHT SIDE VAN DOOR HAS THE STANDARD LOCK KNOB WHICH CAN BE PLAYED WITH BY OCCUPANT. IF THE KNOB IS SCREWED OFF , THE CONNECTING LOCKING MECHANISM WILL DROP INTO THE DOOR BEHIND THE INTERIOR PANEL. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE DOOR IS LOCKED AND CAN NOT BE UNLOCK WITH KEY, KNOB OR ELECTRIC OPENER. THE OCCUPANTS ONLY WAY OUT IS OVER THE FRONT SEAT OR OVER THE REAR SEATS AND OUT THE TAIL GATE DOOR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE AND THE DOOR PANEL HAS TO BE REMOVED TO UNLOCK. VERY DANGEROUS AND IS NOT CHILD PROOF. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10023300
Incident
Jun 12, 2003
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 3, 2002

THREE MICHELIN TIRES HAD TREAD SEPERATION, REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES, MILES LATER 1 BLEW AT 70MPH, THE TIRE WAS BADLY DAMANGED AND COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. AGAIN AT 24,849 ANOTHER TIRE BLEW.

NHTSA ID
9005158
Incident
May 28, 1998
Electrical
Filed Oct 2, 2001

WHEN KEY IS IN IGNITION BUILT-IN INTERLOCK CAUSES VEHICLE NOT TO START. ACCOURDING TO MANUFACTURER'S CARD, WOULD NEED TO PRESS ON BRAKES/ SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, AND PLAY OR JIGGLE KEY IN IGNITION TO GET VEHICLE STARTED. VEHICLE AT TIMES CAN STALL IN TRAFFIC, AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. NOT AT DEALERSHIP.*AK

NHTSA ID
897207
Filed Nov 6, 2000

RIGHT FRONT TIRE FAILED DAMAGED FENDER AND SIDE VIEW MIRROR (DOT NUMBER: W2CO1PX037 TIRESIZE: 255/70/R16)

NHTSA ID
735813
Incident
Nov 5, 2000
Engine
Filed Sep 29, 1999

OIL PAN HAS PREMATURELY RUSTED WITHIN 50,000 MILES, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN FIRE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
849192

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

DOR-X8B9R-11

STEERING

This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. Excessive friction in the ball joint assembly may cause a perceptible increase in steering effort.

14576

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT EARLY WEAR OF THE INNER BRAKE PAD ON THE REAR DISC BRAKES, IF USED IN MUD, SLUSH, DIRT, OR OTHER SEVERE CONDITIONS. *TT

5047

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

REPEAT MESSAGE REGARDING A HARD START / NO START CONDITION. *TT

6417

SUSPENSION

ADDRESSING TIRE BALANCE HINTS. *TT

12835

TIRES

SUBJECT REGARDING TIRE BALANCE HINT. *TT

5262

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SERVICE INFORMATION FOR VEHICLES EXHIBITING STALL ON DECELERATION CONDITION. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford E-250 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023010—
2022100—
2021000—
2020000—
2019000—
2018000—
2017200—
2016100—
20147110—
20131111049.1
20128120—
20116180—
20109130—
20092190—
20086221—
20076271—
20061231160.4
20051111161.1
20048182—
2003178265.8
2002175261.4
2001183262.3
2000185263.2
1999316258.8
1998165253.0
1997244362.4
1996203048.6
1995153055.1
1994Viewing113151.4
1993731—
1992143361.2
1991815—
1990426—
1989725—
1988204—
1987023—
1986034—
1985254—
1984263—
1983061—
1982031—
1981011—
1980121—
1979141—
1978161—
1977020—
1976020—
1975050—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.