Ford E SERIES problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
40 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
70,575 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1973 to 2003 model years. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 40 complaints (10.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 15.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 7.5% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 7.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 7.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 4 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
Steering: 4; Suspension: 4; Tires: 4; Electrical System: 2; Engine: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 2; Structure:Body: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 14 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 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
1995: 1; 2000: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 6; 2004: 6; 2005: 7; 2006: 2; 2007: 4; 2008: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 4; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2021: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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 11129461 · 2018-09-14 (September 14, 2018)
THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOSE. THE TWO GAS TANKS DON'T WORK THE TURN SIGNAL U HAVE TO HOLD IT TO WITCH WAY YOUR TURNING. AND THE PULSATING IN THE BRAKE OR ROTOR IS FILLS PUSATING. THE BACK HEATER DON'T WORK.
Owner-reported narrative. 28,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11129461 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070333 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
WE PURCHASED A 1997 FORD E150 RAISED ROOF CONVERSION VAN FROM JIM O'NEAL FORD IN SELLERSBURG, INDIANA JUST ACROSS THE BORDER FROM LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY. THE CONVERSION WAS BY SUPERIOR IN LOUISVILLE. WE PURCHASED THAT PARTICULAR VAN BECAUSE IT WAS HIGHLY RATED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY AS A CONVERSION COMPANY. WE DROVE THE VAN FOR SIX YEARS AND JUST RECENTLY TRADED IT IN. IT HAS 97,000 MILES ON IT. THE MAJOR PROBLEM WE HAD WITH THE VAN WAS WITH THE FRONT END. BOTH FORD AND OUR LOCAL TIRE DEALER HAVE TOLD US THAT BECAUSE THE VAN IS RAISED ROOF A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10070333 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10705128 · 2015-04-11 (April 11, 2015)
ON OCTOBER 9, 2009, PURSUANT TO FORD RECALL 05S28, A LOCAL FORD DEALER, DAVIES FORD, CHARLEROI, PENNSYLVANIA, INSTALLED A WIRING HARNESS ON MY VAN. ONLY FIVE DAYS LATER, WHILE MY VAN WAS PARKED, THE ENGINE TURNED OFF,AND THE KEYS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, MY VAN CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. AN EXPERT INSPECTED THE VAN AND DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE EXACT LOCATION WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER AND SCDS WERE INSTALLED AND THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE SCDS. THE DEALER PROMISED TO GIVE MA A VAN OF EQUAL VALUE OR …
Owner-reported narrative. 102,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10705128 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10126208 · 2005-06-22 (June 22, 2005)
DT: FORD EXPEDITION. NOTHING WAS APPARENT BEFORE THE FAILURE. TWO MINUTES AFTER ARRIVING HOME THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONTACTED FORD, THE POLICE, AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT THE FIRE OUT, AND SAID IT WAS IN THE ENGINE AREA WITH ELECTRICAL ARCING. FORD SAID THEY WERE GOING TO SEND AN INSPECTOR ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, BUT NOW SAID THE CASE WAS CLOSED AND WILL NOT BE SEND AN INSPECTOR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10126208 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10610786 · 2014-07-15 (July 15, 2014)
VEHICLE SWAYS AND DRIFTS ON ROAD. EXCESSIVE FREE PLAY IN POWER STEERING GEAR BOX. STEERING GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED BUT WITH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT CONDITION IS THE SOME. WHY WAS GEAR BOX NOT RECALLED WHEN TIRES WERE RECALLED? IS THERE AN UPGRADED PART THAT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM? ( SEE NHTSA REFERENCE #10382765) ALSO FORD TRUCK ENTHUSIASTS FORUMS - STEERING PROBLEMS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10610786 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026940 · 2003-07-10 (July 10, 2003)
FUEL PUMP FAILED. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070392 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
I HAVE A 1998 FORD DIESEL VAN THAT I HAVE JUST PURCHASE ABOUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. THE FORMER OWNER GAVE ME A CLUE OF A PROBLEM THAT I DIDN'T PICK ON WHEN I BOUGHT IT. HE SAID DON'T FILL THE TANK FULL OR THE FUEL WILL OVERFLOW. WELL IT DOES OVERFLOW FULL OR NOT BUT WORST WITH A FULL TANK. FORD AND THE NHTSA HAD ISSUED A RECALL FOR POSSIBLE CRACKING OF FUEL TANKS IN VAN'S LIKE MINE. THE RECALL WAS FOR 1997 THRU 2001 ECONOLINE_VAN'S. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP IN CHARLESTON SC BUT THEY REFUSED TO LOOK AT IT AND TOLD ME THAT NO RECALL WAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 71,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070392 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 |
|---|---|
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
1989: 0; 1990: 0; 1993: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 1