2004 Ford E-250 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (1) · Steering:gear Box:shaft Pitman (1) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford E-250 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly 2011-11-08 · campaign 11E047000 · 17 vehicles
Defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL TANKS THAT COULD BE INSTALLED INTO MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 E-150, E-250, AND E-350 VANS AND WAGONS. THE AFFECTED FUEL TANKS HAVE AN EXTRA OBDII SENSOR HOLE ON THE TOP OF THE TANK THAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEALED AND MAY LEAK FUEL.
Risk: A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANKS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-800-232-5952.
Service bulletins (69)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2023-09-07 · SSM 51909 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
when performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving mercon sp, mercon lv has replaced all versions of mercon sp and can be used going forward. mixing mercon lv and mercon sp in the same transmission is acceptable. after 30-jun-2023, mercon sp atf will no longer be manufactured and wi
Steering 2018-04-06 · DOR-X8B9R-11 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2014-05-01 · ASI-44534 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: when shifting between park, reverse and/or during 2-3 shift, an intermittent clunk occurs with a torqshift transmission. model 2003-2014 f-super duty, e series, excursion, f-53 motorhome chassis, low cab forward. *pe
Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter 2014-02-01 · ASI-44404 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: on some trucks, there is a no crank situation and if voltage on transmission range sensor at pin 21, is less than 5 volts, disconnect the engine cooling fan clutch, electronically, and recheck voltage. model 2003-2007 f super duty, 2004-2010 e series, 2003-2005 excursion.
Service Brakes, Air 2007-09-19 · 071110 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
brake booster system may exhibit a brake pedal kickback and/or grabbing condition when applying the brakes. *nj
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel 2007-04-01 · 19728 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lack of power due to low fuel pressure - fuel tank liner seperation. *kb
Showing the 6 most recent of 69 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-06-08 · Unknown Or Other · 💥 crash“i arrived at my destination, lined up to park, shifted my foot from accelerator to brake and ... yikes the engine was racing like crazy. i put both feet on the brake, shoving hard, engine continues to accelerate over the curb & into a fence. pulling against the brakes, the engine continued to race. i reached to yank it out of gear, when it took…”
2022-02-09 · Power Train · 110,000 mi“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…”
2018-01-13 · Air Bags · 135,000 mi“the air bags deployed once igntion was turned over. no accident just deployed for no reason.…”
2012-11-20 · Service Brakes · 175,339 mi“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 wh…”
2010-04-14 · Vehicle Speed Control · 9,400 mi“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) whi…”
2008-06-30 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 69,000 mi“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 wit…”
2004-10-06 · Electrical System:wiring“ford has not notified their customers of the 04s22 safety recall as of 10/6/04. on dealer's notification , posiibility of short in abs module could start fire in unattended vehicle - with the ignition off was stated. as well as a warning not to park any unsold recalled vehicles inside. *ak…”
2004-02-09 · Steering:gear Box:shaft Pitman · 3,800 mi“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 engi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.