Ford E550 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 75 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file for the Ford E550, across 12 model years (1995–2006). The 2003 model year has the most complaints (66). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
Ford E550 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical E550 year: 2003. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2003 E550: 66 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2005 E550: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2006 E550: 3 complaints, 0 recalls
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 E550 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 23 | 4 | 0 |
| Power Train | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Ford E550 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 E550 | 3 | 0 | — | Engine | |
| 2005 E550 | 4 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2004 E550 | 1 | 2 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2003 E550 | 66 | 4 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2002 E550 | 1 | 2 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2001 E550 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2000 E550 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 1999 E550 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 1998 E550 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 1997 E550 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 1996 E550 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 1995 E550 | 0 | 1 | — | — |
More from Ford: all Ford models · Ford VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford E550 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2003 (66) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical E550 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 E550?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 23 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Ford E550 have?
4 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.