VehicleVerdict

1980 Ford E-250 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 1980 Ford E-250 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

1

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1980 compare to other E-250 years?

E-250 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1980 highlighted56 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 1 complaints1980: 1 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 4 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 2 complaints1989: 7 complaints1990: 4 complaints1991: 11 complaints1992: 30 complaints1993: 7 complaints1994: 14 complaints1995: 19 complaints1996: 24 complaints1997: 31 complaints1998: 30 complaints1999: 56 complaints2000: 21 complaints2001: 18 complaints2002: 18 complaints2003: 22 complaints2004: 14 complaints2005: 12 complaints2006: 16 complaints2007: 7 complaints2008: 10 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 12 complaints2011: 9 complaints2012: 13 complaints2013: 13 complaints2014: 7 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 2 complaints2017: 3 complaints2022: 1 complaints2023: 0 complaints
E-250 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1980 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all E-250 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1980 Ford E-250 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1100%

Does the 1980 Ford E-250 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E064000Fuel SystemAugust 27, 2007 · 34,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

Consequence

A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

80V088000EngineJuly 14, 1980 · 4 units

Defect

DUE TO COMPUTER INPUT ERROR WHICH RESULTED IN AN INCORRECT BUILD SCHEDULE, SOME VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITHOUT THE REQUIRED EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELDS. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IDLED OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, A MISSING EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD MAY RESULT IN DANGEROUSLY HIGH FLOOR PAN TEMPERATURES.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSTALL FRAME-MOUNTING HEAT SHIELDS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

1980 Ford E-250 — common questions

Is the 1980 Ford E-250 reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1980 Ford E-250 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1980 Ford E-250. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1980 Ford E-250 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford E-250 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-250 years to avoid are 1999, 1997, 1998, 1992. The cleanest record among E-250 years belongs to 2023.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.