Ford E-150 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
816 owner complaints analyzed
48 distinct recall campaigns
85,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 to 2023 model years. Data snapshot: . 414 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 56 of 816 complaints (6.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 166 | 20.3% |
| Steering behavior | 99 | 12.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 78 | 9.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 47 | 5.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 33 | 4.0% |
| Engine operation | 22 | 2.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 56 |
| Steering | 44 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 41 |
| Electrical System | 39 |
| Engine | 35 |
| Tires | 35 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 31 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 31 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 56; Steering: 44; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 41; Electrical System: 39; Engine: 35; Tires: 35; Fuel System, Gasoline: 31; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 31
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 73 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 53 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 51 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 70 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 106 |
| 150,000 and above | 61 |
Under 25,000: 73; 25,000 to 49,999: 53; 50,000 to 74,999: 51; 75,000 to 99,999: 70; 100,000 to 149,999: 106; 150,000 and above: 61
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (106). 402 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 43 |
| 1996 | 37 |
| 2000 | 60 |
| 2001 | 75 |
| 2002 | 58 |
| 2003 | 61 |
| 2004 | 44 |
| 2005 | 54 |
| 2006 | 27 |
| 2007 | 40 |
| 2008 | 41 |
| 2009 | 22 |
| 2010 | 27 |
| 2011 | 30 |
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2014 | 27 |
| 2015 | 26 |
| 2016 | 38 |
| 2017 | 21 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 2 |
1995: 43; 1996: 37; 2000: 60; 2001: 75; 2002: 58; 2003: 61; 2004: 44; 2005: 54; 2006: 27; 2007: 40; 2008: 41; 2009: 22; 2010: 27; 2011: 30; 2012: 15; 2013: 18; 2014: 27; 2015: 26; 2016: 38; 2017: 21; 2018: 13; 2019: 14; 2020: 6; 2021: 3; 2022: 3; 2023: 6; 2024: 5; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 166 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 99 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 78 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11417831 · 2021-05-19 (May 19, 2021)
Picked up vehicle from auto shop, work had been done on the front brakes, engine temp sensor, heater blower relay, map sensor, throttle control position sensor and ECM had been replaced. Shortly after I got on the freeway the vehicle started to accelerate very quickly W/O pushing the gas pedal hit the brakes but only slowed from 65 mph to 60. Gas pedal did not move from middle position up or down and brakes seamed mushy. Cruise control was not on, tried switching it on then off. Could not slow down, so went to great effort to avoid hitting any …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11417831 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073986 · 2004-05-20 (May 20, 2004)
WHILE PULLING, INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE CONTINUE TO ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WOULD CONTACT A DEALER WITH IN THE WEEK. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10073986 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10267708 · 2009-05-04 (May 4, 2009)
BRAKE LIGHTS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WENT OUT. MECHANIC FOUND BURNT OUT SWITCH IN STEERING COLUMN FOR HAZARD LIGHT. SYSTEM. REPLACED. (FRIDAY MAY 1, 09) SATURDAY AFTERNOON 5-02-09 VAN SITTING IN DRIVE, HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE PRIOR DAY, A BURST OF SMOKE AND SOME FLAMES CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THEN IT STOPPED. CALLED DEALER FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING 5-04 TO SEE IF COULD BRING IN FOR RECALLED WIRING HARNESS AND CC SWITCH TO BE REPLACED. WHEN GOT THERE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT ON DASH ALSO CAME ON. DEALER SUPPOSEDLY HAS REPLACED THE DEFECT…
Owner-reported narrative. 127,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10267708 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096571 · 2004-10-12 (October 12, 2004)
FROM THE DATE THE CONVERSION VAN WAS PURCHASE, THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. THE VAN WOULD NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT, IT WANDERED ALL OVER THE ROAD. OVER THE YEARS IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM THE BALL JOINTS AND STEERING GEAR HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096571 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10204513 · 2007-10-01 (October 1, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD E150. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD HISSING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED BURN MARKINGS INSIDE THE FILLER CAP AS WELL AS OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. HE STATED THAT THE COMPONENTS ON THE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK WERE BURNED. AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2007, THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT A SHORT CIRCUIT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 193,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 193,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10204513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051086 · 2003-12-25 (December 25, 2003)
WHILE FUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL BEGAN LEAKING ON GROUND FROM FUEL TANK/FILLER AREA. LEAK STOPPED WHEN FUELING WAS DISCONTINUED. TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP AND THEY FOUND SPLIT APPROXIMATELY 3 INCHES LONG IN RUBBER FILL HOSE WHICH IS PART OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK ASSEMBLY HAD TO REPLACE THIS ASSEMBLY (AT 134,088 MILES) . HAD REPLACED THIS ASSEMBLY PREVIOUSLY AT ABOUT 90,000 MILES TO CURE A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMPLAINT. THIS FUEL HOSE SHOULD LAST FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. IT'S FAILURE MIGHT RESULT IN FIRE HAZARD, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 134,088 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051086 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503130 · 1996-03-25 (March 25, 1996)
TRANSMISSION FAILED, RESULTING IN INJURY. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503130 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 749349 · 2001-07-27 (July 27, 2001)
WE HAVE SPENT MONEY TRYING TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEMSON OUR VAN OVER AND OVER WE HAVE A HANDICAP CHILD THAT HIS LIFE DEPENDS ON THE FUNCTION OF THE VAN WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VAN WE INFORMED DEALER OF THIS AND HE STATED THAT THE VAN WAS IN GREAT CONDITION TO TRAVEL ANY WHERE. WE ALSO LET THEM KNOW THAT OUR CHILD TRAVELS BACK AND FOURTH FROM CHAMPAIGN ILLINOIS TO CHICAGO ILLINOIS TO GO TO DIFFRENT HOSPITALS AND VISIT FAMILY. WITHIN THE FIRST DAYS THAT WE PURCHASED THE VAN IT STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS AND THE ALTERNATOR GAVE OUT AND DRAINED THE BATTE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 749349 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024069 · 2003-06-16 (June 16, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WILL STALL, AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR CONSUMER TO CONTROL VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962281 · 1995-03-21 (March 21, 1995)
FUEL INJECTION TRUCK STALLS WHEN TURN THE CORNER OR STOPPING AT LIGHT ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962281 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 17 |
| 2008 | 16 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2007: 17; 2008: 16; 2009: 11; 2010: 6; 2011: 10; 2012: 7; 2013: 5; 2014: 6; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2021: 0; 2023: 1
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 1 | 0 | Not available |
| 1990 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | 14 | 1 | +1 |
| 1992 | 43 | 4 | +3 |
| 1993 | 48 | 4 | 0 |
| 1994 | 86 | 7 | +3 |
| 1995 | 49 | 3 | -4 |
| 1996 | 37 | 3 | 0 |
| 1997 | 87 | 5 | +2 |
| 1998 | 50 | 4 | -1 |
| 1999 | 81 | 5 | +1 |
| 2000 | 50 | 5 | 0 |
| 2001 | 37 | 4 | -1 |
| 2002 | 28 | 3 | -1 |
| 2003 | 21 | 5 | +2 |
| 2004 | 33 | 4 | -1 |
| 2005 | 16 | 2 | -2 |
| 2006 | 16 | 13 | +11 |
| 2007 | 12 | 17 | +4 |
| 2008 | 11 | 16 | -1 |
| 2009 | 7 | 11 | -5 |
| 2010 | 10 | 6 | -5 |
| 2011 | 23 | 10 | +4 |
| 2012 | 12 | 7 | -3 |
| 2013 | 19 | 5 | -2 |
| 2014 | 6 | 6 | +1 |
| 2015 | 8 | 1 | -5 |
| 2016 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | Not available |
| 2023 | 0 | 1 | Not available |