1999 Ford E-250: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 31 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is tires (19% of complaints); the 1998 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 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Spark plug ejection with plug parts going into motor and putting hole in piston-this is a work van-no way to economically fix it. Happened when driving 25mph on city street”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford e-250. The contact stated that while going 30 mph, the brake line failed. The contact stated that he depressed the brake pedal and it went all the way to the floorboard. The front brakes still functioned but the rear brakes failed. The vehicle was not inspected. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 130,000. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2012
“1999 ford e-250 1999 truck ABS and brake light stays on, and brakes are all good. Don't let auto owners disconnect dash lights. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Electric · Feb 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford e-250 econoline van. The contact stated while driving at 27 mph downhill, the brakes were applied but did not engage. The contact then shifted into second gear and was able to come to a stop. Upon further inspection, the contact found that the rear brake lines on the vehicle were corroded. The vehicle was inspected one year prior to the failure and there were no signs of rust or corrosion on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 158,563.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2010
“I returned to my truck after work to go home. When I started it, there was a loud popping noise from under the hood. After investigation, I found the #3 sparkplug on the passenger side gone. It was blown out. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2010
“After full acceleration, the throttle on my 1999 ford e250 stuck wide open. The vehicle did not shut off and there was no time to shift into neutral. The vehicle has adaptive controls making shifting more difficult than for a non-disabled driver. The adaptive equipment could be the cause, but most likely it was the ford throttle. *nm”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2006
“Vehicle was traveling at 65 mph when all of a sudden the spark plug blew out, causing the vehicle to stall. Consumer will contact manufacturer.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2005
“1999 ford e250 cargo van, 24k miles, all 4 ball joints failed. Replacement scheduled, will retain parts. Know of two other low mileage, late model ford trucks with similar low mileage ball joint failures. Ford does not believe they are responsible yet their own service people are telling me they see an inordinate number of these failures and wonder why there has been no recall.*ak”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2004
“I own a ford 1999 e250 van that has been customized by the sportsmobile company into an rv. It came with four firestone steeltex radial r4s lt225/75r16 m/s tires. As I was driving in the left lane of I-505s (just n of exit for allendale rd), the tread on my left rear tire separated. I was able to safely pull onto the right shoulder. I drove (at reduced speed on the damaged tire) to the midway rd rv park at the next exit. There I mounted the spare. The tires had 22k miles on them and had been maintained properly.*ak”Owner report · Tires · Dec 2002
“Firestone steel tex r4s, lt245/75r16, dot vn11r1a338, replacement equipment with 43000 miles on a 1999 ford e250 van. Tread separation at 55 mph on driver rear.*ak *jb”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL CNG PICKUP TRUCKS AND BI-FUEL CNG VANS, MODIFIED BY CFI CONTROL SYSTEMS, INC., FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 303, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY OF COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS VEHICLES." THE LABEL AFFIXED TO THE FUEL FILLER DOOR BY THE VEHICLE MODIFIER CONTAINS THE INSPECTION DATE AND EXPIRATION DATE OF THE CNG TANK. HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT CONTAIN THE STATEMENT "SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FUEL CONTAINER FOR INSPECTION AND SERVICE LIFE."
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED A LABEL WITH THE REQUIRED STATEMENT, ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR AFFIXING THE LABEL AT THE FUEL FILLER DOOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 2, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: UTILITY VANS EQUIPPED WITH THE "60/40" HINGED SIDE CARGO DOORS. THE STRIKERS FOR THE 60/40 DOOR SINGLE LATCH SYSTEM WERE FOUND TO CONTAIN STRESS CRACKS AT THE STRIKER WIRE LOWER STAKE JOINT. STRIKERS WITH STRESS CRACKS MAY NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR STRIKER.
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 PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
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 1999 Ford E-250 reliable?
NHTSA has 31 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Ford E-250. The most complained-about area is tires (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Ford E-250 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,778 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Ford E-250 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:labels. 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.