2005 Ford E Series problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 10 complaints on file for the 2005 Ford E Series — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other E Series years?

E Series NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all E Series years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Ford E Series problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Engine	3	30%	▲ up
Fuel System	3	30%	▲ up
Electrical System	1	10%	— flat
Other	1	10%	— flat
Seat Belts	1	10%	— flat
Body & Structure	1	10%	— flat

Does the 2005 Ford E Series have recalls?

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

09V096000OtherMarch 24, 2009 · 513 units

Defect

NEW ENGLAND WHEELS, INC. IS RECALLING 513 RICON WHEELCHAIR LIFTS WHICH IT INSTALLED ON MY 2005 THROUGH 2007 FORD E-SERIES COMMERCIAL VANS. 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.

Consequence

A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy

NEW ENGLAND WHEELS 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 NEW ENGLAND WHEELS AT 1-800-886-9247.

09V049000OtherFebruary 6, 2009 · 86 units

Defect

MOBILITY IS RECALLING 86 MY 2005-2006 FORD E-SERIES AND CHEVROLET EXPRESS VAN 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 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.

Consequence

THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy

MOBILITY 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 MOBILITY AT 714-674-0480.

09V050000OtherFebruary 6, 2009 · 43 units

Defect

MOBILITY IS RECALLING 43 MY 2005-2006 FORD E-SERIES AND CHEVROLET EXPRESS 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.

Consequence

A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy

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 OR MOBILITY AT 714-674-0480.

09V009000OtherJanuary 13, 2009 · 8 units

Defect

AMERICAN EMERGENCY VEHICLES IS RECALLING 8 MY 2005-2006 E-SERIES VANS BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS 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.

Consequence

THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy

AMERICAN EMERGENCY VEHICLES 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 AMERICAN EMERGENCY VEHICLES AT 1-336-982-9824.

09V008000OtherJanuary 12, 2009 · 8 units

Defect

AMERICAN EMERGENCY VEHICLES IS RECALLING 8 MY 2005-2006 E-SERIES VANS BUILT ON FORD 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.

Consequence

A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy

AMERICAN EMERGENCY VEHICLES 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 AMERICAN EMERGENCY VEHICLES AT 1-336-982-9824.

08V689000OtherDecember 23, 2008 · 513 units

Defect

NEW ENGLAND WHEELS IS RECALLING 513 MY 2005-2007 FORD E-SERIES VEHICLES 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 SYSTEMS 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.

Consequence

A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy

NEW ENGLAND WHEELS 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 NEW ENGLAND WHEELS AT 1-800-886-9247.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE COULD SMELL FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE ESCAPED FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LINER ON THE FUEL TANK TWICE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DIESEL FUEL ATE THROUGH THE LINING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 10, 2006

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXCURSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL, AND THEN IMMEDIATELY RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, SINCE THE TECHNICIANS ARE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, NO…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 28, 2007

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ECONOLINE VAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FUSES BEGAN TO SHORT OUT ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A PIECE OF METAL LOCATED IN THE FUSE RACK THAT TOUCHED THE WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL WIRING TO SHORT.…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 10, 2009

“THE PAINT ON THE BACK OF THE VAN FROM THE TOP TO THE BUMPER IN AN APPROXIMATE 1 FOOT SWATH HAS PEELED OFF. A BODY SHOP GUY SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T PUT A THICK ENOUGH COAT ON OR THAT THE BASE WAS FAULTY. *TR”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 1, 2011

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ECONOLINE 350 VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEATBELTS WERE DEFECTIVE (SECOND ROW CAPTAIN SEAT BEHIND THE PASSENGER SIDE/CAPTAIN CHAIR BEHIND THE DRIVERS SEAT). THE CONTACT SAID THE SEATBELT DISLODGED FROM THE HINGE AND WOULD NOT LOCK IN PLACE. THE DEALERSHIP AND…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · April 5, 2010

2005 Ford E Series — common questions

Is the 2005 Ford E Series reliable?

The record is thin — 10 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2005 E Series problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (3 complaints), fuel system (3 complaints), electrical system (1 complaints).

Does the 2005 Ford E Series have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Ford E Series. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2005 compare to other E Series years?

What are the most common 2005 Ford E Series problems?

Does the 2005 Ford E Series have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2005 Ford E Series — common questions

Is the 2005 Ford E Series reliable?

What are the most common 2005 E Series problems?

Does the 2005 Ford E Series have recalls?

Related