RoadVitals

2004 Ford E-250 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
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Latest Jun 8, 2022
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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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.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Ford E-250, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Electrical430.8%
  • Brakes215.4%
  • Interior & seats215.4%
  • Powertrain (other)17.7%
  • Airbags17.7%
  • Steering17.7%
  • Driver assistance17.7%
  • Exterior lighting17.7%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11451171 · filed Feb 9, 2022

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 ID 10325732 · filed Apr 14, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 10485290 · filed Nov 20, 2012

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. *TR

NHTSA ID 10232750 · filed Jun 30, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 10325732 · filed Apr 14, 2010

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. *AK

NHTSA ID 10057751 · filed Feb 9, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11451171 · filed Feb 9, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ONCE IGNTION WAS TURNED OVER. NO ACCIDENT JUST DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON.

NHTSA ID 11062583 · filed Jan 13, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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. *AK

NHTSA ID 10057751 · filed Feb 9, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 10325732 · filed Apr 14, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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. *AK

NHTSA ID 10057751 · filed Feb 9, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .