2005 Ford E Series: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 10 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling; the 2006 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Total failure of diesel engine. Apparent defective engine design in the ford/navistar 6l powestroke across several model years has been reported on internet. *js”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2011
“The paint on the back of the van from the top to the bumper in an approximate 1 foot swath has peeled off. A body shop guy said that they didn't put a thick enough coat on or that the base was faulty. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford econoline 350. While driving approximately 65 mph up a hill the vehicle lost power and it became difficult to accelerate. The failure occurred every time the vehicle was driven in the last two weeks. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians stated that the failure was due to delamination in the gasoline tank and that the fuel pump, oil and fuel filters would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · Dec 2010
Show 4 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford econoline 350 van. The contact stated that the seatbelts were defective (second row captain seat behind the passenger side/captain chair behind the drivers seat). The contact said the seatbelt dislodged from the hinge and would not lock in place. The dealership and manufacturer were contacted and advised the contact that she had to pay out of pocket to repair the defect. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 58,000. The contact also stated that the bench seat (third row) would not lock into place when a child was being placed in its child seat. Updated 2/9/2012 *cn received 5/5/15 with no changes *cn”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2010
“Our street needs a speed bump on 42nd ave s between findley and orcas. There are many children and cars go too fast. *tr”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford excursion. The contact stated that intermittently the vehicle would stall, and then immediately restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer multiple times to diagnose the failure; however, since the technicians are unable to identify the cause of the failure, no repairs have been made. The vehicle identification number was unavailable. The failure and current mileages were 52,800.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford econoline. The contact stated that she could smell fuel inside the vehicle and smoke escaped from the tailpipe. The dealer replaced the liner on the fuel tank twice. The dealer stated that the diesel fuel ate through the lining. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000 and the current mileage was approximately 78,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · May 2006
Recalls - 6 campaigns
NEW ENGLAND WHEELS, INC. IS RECALLING 513 RICON WHEELCHAIR LIFTS WHICH IT INSTALLED ON MY 2005 THROUGH 2007 FORD E-SERIES COMMERCIAL VANS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.
Remedy: NEW ENGLAND WHEELS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR NEW ENGLAND WHEELS AT 1-800-886-9247.
AMERICAN EMERGENCY VEHICLES IS RECALLING 8 MY 2005-2006 E-SERIES VANS BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
Remedy: AMERICAN EMERGENCY VEHICLES IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR AMERICAN EMERGENCY VEHICLES AT 1-336-982-9824.
AMERICAN EMERGENCY VEHICLES IS RECALLING 8 MY 2005-2006 E-SERIES VANS BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS ON MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.
Remedy: AMERICAN EMERGENCY VEHICLES IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR AMERICAN EMERGENCY VEHICLES AT 1-336-982-9824.
MOBILITY IS RECALLING 86 MY 2005-2006 FORD E-SERIES AND CHEVROLET EXPRESS VAN EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS ON MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.
Remedy: MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MOBILITY AT 714-674-0480.
MOBILITY IS RECALLING 43 MY 2005-2006 FORD E-SERIES AND CHEVROLET EXPRESS VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
Remedy: MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MOBILITY AT 714-674-0480.
NEW ENGLAND WHEELS IS RECALLING 513 MY 2005-2007 FORD E-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
Remedy: NEW ENGLAND WHEELS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR NEW ENGLAND WHEELS AT 1-800-886-9247.
How other years compare
Check your exact E Series 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 2005 Ford E Series reliable?
NHTSA has 10 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Ford E Series. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Does the 2005 Ford E Series have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment adaptive/mobility. 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.