2001 Ford E-250 Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles, 13 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns 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
- 14 mpgcombined, 4.2L 6-cyl RWD · 13 city / 18 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Ford E-250 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2001 Ford E-250. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 10 complaints (56% of the total), followed by suspension (2) and tires (2). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 8% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 120,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 6 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Engine cooling10 56%
- Suspension2 11%
- Tires2 11%
- Air bags1 5.6%
- Electrical system1 5.6%
- Engine1 5.6%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Was driving my 2001 Ford e250 vortec v8 at approx. 30 MPH when a spark plug blew out of the engine. An hour and a half away from home , in a not so good area of town. I was left stranded. 120,000 miles on odometer.”
NHTSA complaint #10328354, filed 2010-05, 120,000 milesSuspension: “While driving at approx 30mph on a rural road, the rear spare tire fell off of my 2001 Ford e250 van. Tire was suspended below rear vehicle. The local Ford dealer in grants pass or said the cable was corroded causing the tire to fall off. Here in southern oregon we do not use salt on our roads during the winter and we have less rainfall than northern oregon so corrosion fault is questionable. The cost to replace cable was not realistic and if they used a quality cable, this should never have happened. I was lucky I was not driving on a freeway when this happened.”
NHTSA complaint #10341442, filed 2010-07, 190,000 milesTires: “Our trucks are very low mileage, impecably maintained, the tire pressures are regularly monitored and adjusted. The first failure occured (at 10,150 miles) with the truck loaded. The vehicle has a gvw of 8600 lbs. The truck was scaled with the load at 7760 lbs gvw well under the vehicle and tire weight capacites. The tread showed separation and the sidewall blew out. The second failure occurred (at 10,330 miles) with the truck empty, again the tread showed separation and the sidewall blew out.”
NHTSA complaint #768729, filed 2002-10Air bags: “The contact owns a 2001 Ford e250. While driving 45 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver received neck injuries and was hospitalized. The vehicle was taken in for repair. Rhode island police filed report number t-08209-AC. No other vehicle or dealer information was available.”
NHTSA complaint #10222366, filed 2008-03Mileage when problems were reported
8% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 70,000 and 130,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2001 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E250 Econoline 2WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 18 | 14 | $4,800 |
| E250 Econoline 2WD | 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| E250 CNG RWD | 5.4L 8-cyl · natural gas | 4-speed automatic | 11 | 14 | 12 | $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
- 09V399000Oct 13, 2009Vehicle speed controlCovers: Ford E-250 1992–2003, E-150 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003 +12 more
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…
- 08V051000Feb 4, 2008Vehicle speed control › Cruise controlCovers: Ford E-250 1992–2003, E-150 1992–2003, Econoline 1992–2003 +10 more
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…
- 07V336000Aug 3, 2007Vehicle speed controlCovers: Ford E-250 1992–1993, 1997–2003, E-150 1992–1993, 1997–2003, E-350 1992–1993, 1997–2003 +18 more
On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Recall details for the 2001 Ford E-250 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA10003HVAC Switch FailuresClosed · Apr 13, 2010
- DP05005Spark plug ejection from cylinder headClosed · Sep 22, 2005
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. 6 on record; the latest 6 are shown.
- 10148820Apr 6, 2018Steering. This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly…
- 10022675Sep 19, 2007Brakes. Brake booster system may exhibit a brake pedal kickback and/or grabbing condition when applying the brakes.
- 10022232Dec 1, 2006Exterior lighting. Headlight adjustment needed.
- 10018741Nov 14, 2005Engine cooling. Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code p1131 and/or p1151 - 4.2l engine.
- 10017865Jul 1, 2005Exterior lighting. Headlight adjustment - chassis cab incomplete vehicles.
- 10018941Jan 1, 2005Suspension. Vibration/harshness above 45 mph (72 km/h) after tire balance.
Other model years of the Ford E-250
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 7 | 59,830 | 11 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 11 | 40,000 | 11 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 8 | 53,500 | 12 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 6 | 27,746 | 16 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 9 | 81,427 | 11 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 6 | 76,000 | 21 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 6 | 21,500 | 26 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 12 | 5,600 | 29 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 11 | 57,300 | 9 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 8 | 89,500 | 16 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 17 | 50,103 | 7 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 17 | 40,000 | 5 | — | 14 | — | Falling |
| 2001 | 18 | 120,000 | 3 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 18 | 43,519 | 5 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 31 | 59,555 | 6 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 16 | 92,300 | 5 | — | 13 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 24 | 98,500 | 4 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 20 | 94,500 | 3 | — | 12 | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 15 | 115,000 | 3 | — | 12 | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 11 | 90,012 | 3 | — | 12 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 7 | 162,792 | 3 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 14 | 25,000 | 3 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 8 | 150,000 | 1 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 7 | 41,000 | 2 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Ford E-250 have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2001 Ford E-250 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2001 Ford E-250 is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 10 complaints (56% of the total), followed by suspension with 2.
Has the 2001 Ford E-250 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Ford E-250 get?
The EPA rates the 2001 Ford E-250 (E250 Econoline 2WD, 4.2L 6-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 13 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Ford E-250 reported?
Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 120,000 miles and the middle half falls between 70,000 and 130,000 miles; 8% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.