1996 Ford E-250: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 20 owner complaints on record; most reports concern tires; the 1994 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I have 2 1996 ford e250 vans. They both leak gas out the fill tube if I fill them all the way up. Especially if I park on a slope. I asked the ford dealer if this was a recall item and they told me no. It should be.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2004
“After filling fuel tank with gas the gas will leak around the seam of the tank. The dealership indicated that their was a leak in the fuel tank which was caused by the frame rubbing against the tank. There is a recall for this part but it for the 1995 vehicle. Please provide more details. Ts”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2002
“Vehicle lunges forward with the foot applied to the brake. Vehicle idles real rough before accelerating. Problem is intermittent, and could not be duplicated by the dealer.*ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2002
Show 7 more owner reports
“Driving at highway speed, the tread separated from the tire and collapsed tubing and metal weather protection inside the tire well; the tire remained pressurized; I was given remaining tire credit at a firesone tire dealer.( dot number: vnil ike tire size: lt22575r16 )”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2000
“Is there any recommended printed repair for damaged sections of the frame of this vehicle. There is a tear in the metal of the compressed area of the asorbing part of the crumple zone of the frame. *ak”Owner report · Structure · Dec 1999
“Radial r4s, lt 225/75r16, dot vd1l1xd418338, replacement tires, 1 blowout passenger rear at 2000 miles on tire, 2 tread separation on passenger rear tire. Before 8000 miles on tires, and at about 65 mph. *ak *slc”Owner report · Tires · Nov 1999
“The first incident r-r tire blew out /replaced with spare tire. Bought a new replacement, and rotated the r-f tire to the r-r; stowed the (r-r) spare tire ; in the second incident, the r-r tire separated while driving on I-10 from phoenix, az to la, ca (tiresize: 225/75r16d)( dot number: tire size: 225/75r16d )”Owner report · Tires · May 1999
“The original firestone steeltex r4s lt 225/75r16 e tires were replaced at 20000 miles due to sidewall and tread cracks, the replacement tires were replaced at 30451 miles due to tread separation, dealer credited the consumer for some of the tire expense. *mjs”Owner report · Tires · Nov 1998
“The right wheel bolts and nuts sheared off, causing the right wheel to fall, and almost caused a crash. Currently, left wheel bolts and nuts also sheared off. Please provide further information and VIN#. *ak”Owner report · Wheels · Apr 1998
“When applying the brakes in a panic stop, consumer's foot hit the brake pedal and accelerator pedal because the brake pedal and accelerator pedal are too close together, causing the vehicle not to stop, once resulting in a collision. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 1997
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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 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.
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.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
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)
How other years compare
Check your exact E-250 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Ford E-250 reliable?
NHTSA has 20 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Ford E-250. The most complained-about area is tires.
Does the 1996 Ford E-250 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.