Ford E-Series Problems by Year
NHTSA has 74 owner complaints and 8 safety recalls on file for the Ford E-Series, across 13 model years (1995–2008). The 1997 model year has the most complaints (16). The most reported problem area overall is tires.
Ford E-Series years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical E-Series year: 1997, 1998. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1997 E-Series: 16 complaints, 1 recall
- 1998 E-Series: 13 complaints, 1 recall
- 2005 E-Series: 10 complaints, 6 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 1995 E-Series: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2004 E-Series: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1999 E-Series: 4 complaints, 1 recall
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Ford E-Series problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | 24 | 7 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 10 | 7 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Power Train | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Ford E-Series model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 E-Series | 5 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 2007 E-Series | 0 | 2 | — | — | |
| 2006 E-Series | 0 | 6 | — | — | |
| 2005 E-Series | 10 | 6 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | More complaints than other years |
| 2004 E-Series | 2 | 0 | — | Latches/locks/linkages | |
| 2003 E-Series | 5 | 2 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2002 E-Series | 6 | 2 | — | Visibility | |
| 2001 E-Series | 6 | 2 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 2000 E-Series | 6 | 2 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1999 E-Series | 4 | 1 | — | Engine | |
| 1998 E-Series | 13 | 1 | — | Tires | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1997 E-Series | 16 | 1 | — | Tires | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1995 E-Series | 1 | 0 | — | Tires |
More from Ford: all Ford models · Ford VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford E-Series years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1997 (16), 1998 (13) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical E-Series year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Ford E-Series?
Tires, with 24 complaints across 7 model years.
How many recalls does the Ford E-Series have?
8 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.