VehicleVerdict

1996 Ford E-250 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 24 complaints on file for the 1996 Ford E-250 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

24

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other E-250 years?

E-250 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 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, 1996 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all E-250 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 Ford E-250 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels729%
Engine417%
Brakes417%
Transmission313%
Speed Control28%
Fuel System28%
Body & Structure14%
Latches & Locks14%

Does the 1996 Ford E-250 have recalls?

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

09V399000Speed ControlOctober 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy

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.

08V051000Speed ControlFebruary 4, 2008 · 225,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

06V286000Speed ControlAugust 1, 2006 · 1,200,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence

OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE FIRST INCIDENT R-R TIRE BLEW OUT /REPLACED WITH SPARE TIRE. BOUGHT A NEW REPLACEMENT, AND ROTATED THE R-F TIRE TO THE R-R; STOWED THE (R-R) SPARE TIRE ; IN THE SECOND INCIDENT, THE R-R TIRE SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING ON I-10 FROM PHOENIX, AZ TO LA, CA (TIRESIZE: 225/75R16D)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE:…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 27, 1999

“WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN A PANIC STOP, CONSUMER'S FOOT HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO STOP, ONCE RESULTING IN A COLLISION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 27, 1997 · crash

“WHILE WAITING AT STOP LIGHT OR SIGN VEHICLE WOULD IDLE ROUGHLY. WOULD JERK FORWARD WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. SOMETIMES WOULD ALMOST STALL OUT WHEN AT A STOP. BEEN TO DEALER, AND NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

“I WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WITH TRUCK IN GEAR AND CLUTCH PEDAL DOWN, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CLUTCH RELEASED WITH THE PEDAL STILL DOWN CAUSING THE TRUCK TO LURCH INTO THE STREET ABOUT 15 FT BEFORE I COULD STOP WITH THE BRAKES. THE CARS IN THE STREET WERE ABLE TO AVOID ME BUT I WAS VERY SHAKEN. I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 11, 2007

“AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK WITH GAS THE GAS WILL LEAK AROUND THE SEAM OF THE TANK. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THEIR WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE FRAME RUBBING AGAINST THE TANK. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PART BUT IT FOR THE 1995 VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 9, 2002

1996 Ford E-250 — common questions

Is the 1996 Ford E-250 reliable?

The record is thin — 24 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1996 E-250 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (7 complaints), engine (4 complaints), brakes (4 complaints).

Does the 1996 Ford E-250 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 Ford E-250. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.