2004 Ford E-250 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other E-250 years
- Not enough data 14th of 24 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 16 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Ford E-250. That ranks 14th out of 24 E-250 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (3 complaints, 38%), typically at around 59,700 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash. There are 16 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 8owner complaints
- 16safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2004 Ford E-250 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 | 38% | 59,700 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 13% | 135,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 13% | 3,800 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 13% | 3,800 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 13% | 3,800 | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 13% | 110,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 13% | 9,400 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 13% | 175,339 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 13% | 69,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 13% | 3,800 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 13% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 13% | 9,400 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2004 Ford E-250 recalls (16)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: Quality vans is recalling certain model year 2004 through 2008 vans manufactured between august 2005 and november 2007, 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 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.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Fix: Quality vans 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 quality vans at 1-480-464-7007.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: Quality vans is recalling certain model year 2004 through 2006 vans 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 in 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.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Fix: Quality vans 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 quality vans at 1-480-464-7007.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: Access mobility is recalling 3 model year 2004 ford e-250 and model year 2006 dodge sprinter vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lift. The vehicle fails 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.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Fix: Access mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lift free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: Access mobility is recalling 3 model year 2004 ford e-250 and model year 2006 dodge sprinter 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.
Risk: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
Fix: Access 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.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: R&r mobility is recalling 7 vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lift. 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.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Fix: R&r mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lift free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: R&r mobility is recalling 7 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.
Risk: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
Fix: R&r 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.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: Van products is recalling 8 vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. The lift fails 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.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Fix: Van products is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lift free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: Van products is recalling 8 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.
Risk: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
Fix: Van products is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: Handicapped driver services is recalling 3 model year 2004 and 2005 ford e-250 transit buses built on ford chassis and 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 in 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.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Fix: Handicapped driver services 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 handicapped driver services at 1-770-422-9674.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: Handicapped driver services is recalling 3 model year 2004 and 2005 ford e-250 rental vans built on ford chassis and 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 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.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.t
Fix: Handicapped driver services 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 handicapped driver services at 1-770-422-9674.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: Van conversions is recalling 52 my 2004-2007 ford e-150, e-250 e-350 and my 2006 gm savanna 3500 vans built on ford and gm 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.
Risk: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
Fix: Van conversions 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 van conversions at 610-837-0707.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: Van conversions is recalling 74 my 2004-2007 ford e-150, e-250 e-350 and my 2006 gm savanna 3500 vans built on ford and gm chassis and 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 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.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Fix: Van conversions 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 van conversions at 610-837-0707.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: On certain vans built on ford e250/e350 chassis and 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 is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Owners should contact sure-lock at 1-908-231-1804 or accubuilt at 419-222-1501.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
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.
Electrical system:wiring
Problem: On certain vans, a diode in the anti-lock braking system (abs) module may experience an electrical short.
Risk: The electrical short may cause an abs malfunction that would illuminate the abs warning light, or the module may overheat resulting in a burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition may occur while the vehicle is being driven or unattended.
Fix: Dealers will install a new fuse in the abs circuit and install a heat shield over the abs module. The recall began on october 15, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also ford is extending the limited warranty (for a one time replacement) of the abs module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until september 30, 2005.
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: On certain vans, the air filter element material process resulted in an air filter paper element that can smolder or burn. This change in filter paper composition combined with the configuration of the air induction system, may allow hot carbon particles to contact the air filter element during certain driving conditions that create hot particles.
Risk: These hot particles may ignite the air filter element with the potential for air induction system damage or underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the air filter element. The recall began september 27, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also ford is extending the limited warranty (for a one time replacement) of the abs module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until september 30, 2005.
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.
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…
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…
The air bags deployed once igntion was turned over. No accident just deployed for no reason.
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…
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…
Other Ford E-250 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 E-250 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 E-250 | 1 | 0 |
| 2017 E-250 | 2 | 0 |
| 2016 E-250 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 E-250 | 7 | 11 |
| 2013 E-250 | 11 | 11 |
| 2012 E-250 | 8 | 12 |
| 2011 E-250 | 6 | 16 |
| 2010 E-250 | 9 | 11 |
| 2009 E-250 | 2 | 17 |
| 2008 E-250 | 6 | 21 |
| 2007 E-250 | 6 | 26 |
| 2006 E-250 | 12 | 29 |
| 2005 E-250 | 11 | 9 |
| 2004 | 8 | 16 |
| 2003 E-250 | 17 | 7 |
| 2002 E-250 | 17 | 5 |
| 2001 E-250 | 18 | 3 |
| 2000 E-250 | 18 | 5 |
| 1999 E-250 | 31 | 6 |
| 1998 E-250 | 16 | 5 |
| 1997 E-250 | 24 | 4 |
| 1996 E-250 | 20 | 3 |
| 1995 E-250 | 15 | 3 |
See all Ford E-250 problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford E-250?
Owners most often report electrical system, air bags, equipment problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 3 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Ford E-250?
Yes, 16 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2004 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 2004 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.