1999 Ford E-250 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Mar 28, 2017 · 31 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other E-250 years
Far more complaints than other years 1st of 24 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Ford E-250. That is the most of any E-250 model year in the database (24 years). The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (8 complaints, 26%), typically at around 82,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 4 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 1999 Ford E-250 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine and Engine Cooling8 · ~82,000 mi
Tires7 · ~32,000 mi
Suspension6 · ~12,350 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5 · ~158,563 mi
Electrical System4
Power Train3 · ~9,000 mi
Structure3
Equipment Adaptive/mobility2 · ~59,555 mi
Steering2 · ~1,661 mi
Visibility2
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine and Engine Cooling826%82,000——
Tires723%32,000——
Suspension619%12,350——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic516%158,563——
Electrical System413%———
Power Train310%9,000——
Structure310%———
Equipment Adaptive/mobility26%59,555——
Steering26%1,661——
Visibility26%———
Air Bags13%———
Engine13%95,551——
Equipment13%———
Fuel System, Gasoline13%———
Fuel System, Other13%———
Seat Belts13%———
Service Brakes13%130,000——
Service Brakes, Electric13%105,000——
Vehicle Speed Control13%59,555——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2000, with 6 complaints
1999: 1199912000: 6200062001: 2200122002: 2200222003: 3200332004: 4200442005: 2200522006: 2200622007: 1200712008: 2200822010: 2201022011: 2201122012: 1201212017: 120171

n = 31 complaints · Source: NHTSA

1999 Ford E-250 recalls (6)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Vehicle speed controlOct 13, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V399000 · 4,500,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.

Fix: 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 speed control:cruise controlFeb 4, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V051000 · 225,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: As a result, the fuse is located in the output circuit rather than in the intended input power feed circuit, and may not offer the intended protection in the event of an electrical short to ground.

Fix: 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.

Vehicle speed controlAug 3, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V336000 · 3,600,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: This could result in an underhood fire.

Fix: 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.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityNov 26, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V562000 · 1,660 vehicles

Problem: On certain vans equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.

Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as necessary. Sure-lok will handle the repairs for this campaign. Owners should contact sure-lock at 1-908-231-1804 or mobilityworks at 1-800-769-8267.

Equipment:other:labelsSep 21, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V284000 · 4,500 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: These vehicles do not comply with the requirements.

Fix: 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.

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latchMar 15, 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V046000 · 2,893 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: In the event of a crash, the door strikers may not hold the door, increasing the risk of personal injury or property damage.

Fix: Dealers will replace the door striker.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • HVAC Switch Failures (EA10003) — opened Apr 13, 2010, closed Mar 5, 2012.
  • Spark plug ejection from cylinder head (DP05005) — opened Sep 22, 2005, closed Jan 4, 2006.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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

Engine · received Mar 28, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 10969126

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…

Service Brakes · received Jun 28, 2012 · NHTSA complaint 10463421

Subject: ford v-8 truck engine spark plug blowout comments: i am a construction company business owner that uses ford vans for our work. This past week we had a spark plug blow out of the head of one of our vehicles this is the third time it has occurred on this particular vehicle each time we have…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Aug 4, 2011 · NHTSA complaint 10417014

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

Service Brakes, Electric · received Feb 24, 2011 · NHTSA complaint 10384327

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…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · received Jul 28, 2010 · NHTSA complaint 10345806

Other Ford E-250 years

← 1998 E-250 · 2000 E-250 →

See all Ford E-250 problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.

Similar Ford models

Embed this 1999 Ford E-250 badge on your site

Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Ford E-250?

Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, tires, suspension problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 8 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 1999 Ford E-250?

Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 1999 Ford E-250 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other E-250 model years, the 1999 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.