2000 Ford E-150 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2000 Ford E-150 most often describe vibration, drifting, and worn suspension parts, along with brake pulling, squealing, and hard stopping. Speed control switch recall problems and sudden uncommanded acceleration are also reported, while fuel tank cracks and leaks appear at higher mileage, from about 63,000 to 191,000 miles. Suspension complaints often describe repairs that did not stop the problem from returning, while the acceleration complaints describe sudden, unexpected events.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Vibration, drifting, and suspension part wear

   • 12 complaints (24%)
   • median 26,700 mi at 5.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2007

   Owners describe shaking at highway speeds, drifting or pulling left or right, and popping or rattling noises from the front end. Some complaints tie these symptoms to worn ball joints, tie rod sleeves, bushings, or coil springs, and say the replaced parts did not stop the problem from returning. According to complaints, the dealer changed front-end parts, repaired coil springs more than once, and in some cases could not resolve the drifting. A separate complaint describes a rear leaf spring that cracked after a prior inspection had found the suspension to be fine. Mileage appears in only some of these complaints, ranging from about 12,000 to about 57,000 miles, and the shaking is often described at around 50 mph.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the front ball joints, tie rods, bushings, and springs have been replaced and whether a wheel alignment was done afterward. Ask whether the service bulletin for vibration above about 45 mph after tire balancing has been checked, and test for shaking and pulling on a straight road.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At 35,500 miles on my 2000 E-150 series van, the vehicle had a problem with pulling or drifting hard to the right. After requesting that the vehicle have a front end alignment check, the dealership found that the ball-joints were in need of replacement. Joints were replaced under manufacturers warranty on 07/2002, but alignment was charged to me. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10043544, filed 2003-10, 56,886 miles

   “Rear left leaf spring cracks, considered a major safety hazard by Ford service techs. This failure was on a 2000 Ford E-150 van. It was purchased new in jan. 2001 and only has 26,000 miles. I am a disabled driver and do not drive fast or any type of off rode, all city driving. In dec. 2006 I had Ford perform a thorough safety inspection prior to my 6 year warranty end. This inspection included the suspension and it checked out fine. 9 months and only 2,000 miles later 3 of the steel bars are cracked on the left rear leaf spring. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10202012, filed 2007-09, 26,700 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pulling, squeal, and hard stopping

   • 7 complaints (14%)
   • typically at 2.2 yrs old
   • filed 2001–2004

   Owners describe the van pulling to one side when the brakes are applied, and in a highway report the brakes locked up during a sudden stop. Other complaints describe squealing that continued after pad and rotor work, brakes that vibrate badly, and a pedal that feels hard for a moment before it drops. According to complaints, the dealer replaced front pads, ground down the front rotors, and said the squeal and pulling were normal for this van. Most of these complaints do not give mileage, and the only specific figure is a front brake replacement reported at about 24,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask for brake service records, including pad and rotor work, and whether pulling or squealing was rechecked after each repair. On a straight road, brake firmly and gently to check for pulling, squealing, or a hard pedal.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Ongoing problems with vehicle's brakes and suspension. Due to the vehicle being overweighted by with the mobility conversations package system the vehicle experienced abnormal wear of the drivetrain, brake system and suspension components. The vehicle was overweight when the consumer along with his wheelchair and a forth of a tank of gas where in the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10083496, filed 2004-07

   “When brakes are applied van will occasionally veer to the left. In one situation driver made an attempt to push brake pedal, and it was hard for a couple of seconds, and then descended. *akthe dealer says the pulling to the left is normal.”

   NHTSA complaint #8018951, filed 2002-09
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Speed control switch recall and uncommanded acceleration

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • median 78,000 mi at 9.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2012

   Owners describe the speed control deactivation switch recall, where the dealer did not have parts for the repair and some owners did not want the speed control disconnected. Other complaints describe the van accelerating on its own at speeds up to about 40 mph. A complaint describes rapid acceleration, an inability to stop before a collision, and a later repair that disconnected the cruise control. A separate complaint describes a conversion van that caught fire, and the owner was told the battery may have been involved. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 35,000 to about 121,000 miles, and some owners note no failure had occurred yet.

   Recall 07V336000Recall 09V399000Recall 08V051000

   What to check: Ask whether the speed control deactivation switch recall repair is complete and request the completion record in writing. On a test drive, confirm the speed control works as intended and that the accelerator returns normally when released.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1) rapid uncommanded acceleration of vehicle to 20 MPH 2) unable to stop before colliding with another vehicle 3) car repaired - cruise control disconnected.”

   NHTSA complaint #10141581, filed 2005-11, 35,000 miles

   “2000 Ford e150 conversion van with wheel chair lift that caught fire**cc the consumer stated the van was on the list of a recall regarding the deactivation switch. The consumer was told it may have been the battery that caused the fire. The consumer house and her daughters car was also destroyed by the fire.”

   NHTSA complaint #10188984, filed 2007-04
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Smoke, fire, or arcing from electrical parts

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • median 100,203 mi at 8.4 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2025

   Owners describe smoke, fire, or arcing from electrical parts, including a switch in the brake master cylinder that burned while the van was parked and a conversion van that caught fire. Other complaints describe a steering column that began smoking while driving, bare wires arcing alongside battery and wiper faults, and an airbag that went off at low speed with smoke behind it. According to complaints, the owner was told the battery may have been involved in the van fire. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 83,000 to about 116,600 miles.

   Recall 07V336000

   What to check: Ask whether the brake master cylinder switch, steering column, and battery connections have been inspected for heat damage or wiring faults. During a walk-around, look for burnt or melted connectors, loose wiring near the battery, and any sign of smoke residue.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While the vehicle was parked and off, the switch mounted in the brake master cylinder caught fire. The switch and connector were destroyed. I was nearby when this incident occurred and was able to douse the flames, thereby preventing further damage to the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10219164, filed 2008-02, 100,203 miles

   “The contact owns a 2000 Ford e150. On july 13, 2007, while driving 40 MPH, the steering column began smoking. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 83,000. Updated 08/13/07”

   NHTSA complaint #10196423, filed 2007-07, 83,000 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Fuel tank cracks and fuel leaks

   Mentioned in 4 of 40 sampled complaints

   Owners describe a strong gasoline odor from the top of the tank, leaks during fill-ups, and cracks or pinholes near the top of the fuel tank. According to complaints, the dealer said the tank needed replacing, and a Ford mechanic found a crack in the mid-ship tank where it meets the frame cross member, which he said looked like the problem described in the recall. A complaint about a pickup truck describes a tank that came loose and leaked while driving. Mileage is given for these complaints, ranging from about 63,000 to about 191,000 miles.

   Recall 01V114000

   What to check: Check the fuel tank and its mounting area for cracks or leaks, and smell for gasoline after parking. Ask whether the mid-ship fuel tank recall (01V114000) has been completed if the van falls within the recall's build dates.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After filing up gas tank and parking vehicle - noticed gas leaking from gas tank - had a Ford mechanic look at it and he said it looked like similar problem he had seen with other Ford e-150s that had crack in 35 gallon mid-ship fuel tank where it [tank] contacts the frame cross member - he told me to look it up on line... I did and I called Ford customer support - they said this recall applied to e-150s built at lorainne plaint between april 1996 and november 2000... …”

   NHTSA complaint #10289950, filed 2009-10, 191,000 miles

   “The fuel tank on this Ford e150 van leaks fuel during fill ups. The Ford dealer (pacifico Ford in broomall, pa) states that the vehicle needs a new gas tank. The fuel tank developed cracks and pin holes at the top of the tank. Research online states that the same problem occured with other Ford truck and vans and a recall was issued. The recall, namely 01v114000 covers Ford vans manufactured between 04/09/1996- 11/14/2000. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10716767, filed 2015-05, 153,350 miles

Buying note. Prospective buyers should ask whether the speed control switch and fuel tank recalls were completed, with records, and check the suspension and brakes for the vibration and pulling described in complaints. Because many complaints involve repeat repairs, a pre-purchase inspection with a list of prior service records can help show whether these issues were actually resolved.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 40 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.