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Ford E-250Model year report

1999 Ford E-250 Problems

Complaints
31filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
59,555miles, 15 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
13 mpgcombined, 5.4L 8-cyl RWD · 11 city / 16 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 Ford E-250 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 1999 Ford E-250. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 8 complaints (26% of the total), followed by brakes (7) and tires (7). 15 of the complaints include a mileage, and 47% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 59,555 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Air bags (1), Engine (1), Seat belts (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “I returned to my truck after work to go home. When I started it, there was a loud popping noise from under the hood. After investigation, I found the #3 sparkplug on the passenger side gone. It was blown out.”

NHTSA complaint #10320942, filed 2010-03, 82,000 miles

Brakes: “The contact owns a 1999 Ford E-250. The contact stated that while going 30 MPH, the brake line failed. The contact stated that he depressed the brake pedal and it went all the way to the floorboard. The front brakes still functioned but the rear brakes failed. The vehicle was not inspected. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 130,000. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available.”

NHTSA complaint #10463421, filed 2012-06, 130,000 miles

Tires: “I own a Ford 1999 e250 van that has been customized by the sportsmobile company into an rv. It came with four firestone steeltex radial r4s lt225/75r16 m/s tires. As I was driving in the left lane of I-505s (just n of exit for allendale rd), the tread on my left rear tire separated. I was able to safely pull onto the right shoulder. I drove (at reduced speed on the damaged tire) to the midway rd rv park at the next exit. There I mounted the spare. The tires had 22k miles on them and had been maintained properly.”

NHTSA complaint #10058943, filed 2004-02, 22,000 miles

Suspension: “1999 Ford e250 cargo van, 24k miles, all 4 ball joints failed. Replacement scheduled, will retain parts. Know of two other low mileage, late model Ford trucks with similar low mileage ball joint failures. Ford does not believe they are responsible yet their own service people are telling me they see an inordinate number of these failures and wonder why there has been no recall.”

NHTSA complaint #10075029, filed 2004-06, 24,600 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

47% of the 15 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 22,000 and 105,000 miles.

27%0–1013%10–257%25–507%50–7513%75–10027%100–1507%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (15 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 59,555 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’006’02’04’06’08’11’17
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1999 Ford E-250 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
E250 Econoline 2WD4.2L 6-cyl4-speed automatic121714$4,800
E250 Econoline 2WD5.4L 8-cyl4-speed automatic111613$5,150
E250 Econoline 2WD CNG5.4L 8-cyl4-speed automatic101412$3,850

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1999 Ford E-250 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.

Other model years of the Ford E-250

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2014759,83011—15—Not enough data
20131140,00011—15—Not enough data
2012853,50012—15—Not enough data
2011627,74616—15—Not enough data
2010981,42711———Not enough data
2008676,00021———Not enough data
2007621,50026———Not enough data
2006125,60029———Not enough data
20051157,3009—15—Not enough data
2004889,50016—15—Not enough data
20031750,1037—14—Stable
20021740,0005—14—Falling
200118120,0003—14—Stable
20001843,5195—14—Stable
19993159,5556—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19981692,3005—13—Stable
19972498,5004—14—Stable
19962094,5003—12—Stable
199515115,0003—12—Stable
19941190,0123—12—Not enough data
19937162,7923—13—Not enough data
19921425,0003—13—Not enough data
19918150,0001—13—Not enough data
1989741,0002—13—Not enough data

All Ford E-250 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1999 Ford E-250 have?

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 1999 Ford E-250 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1999 Ford E-250 is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 8 complaints (26% of the total), followed by brakes with 7.

Has the 1999 Ford E-250 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1999 Ford E-250 get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Ford E-250 (E250 Econoline 2WD, 5.4L 8-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 11 city and 16 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1999 Ford E-250 reported?

Among the 15 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 59,555 miles and the middle half falls between 22,000 and 105,000 miles; 47% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.