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Ford E-250Model year report

2004 Ford E-250 Problems

Complaints
8filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
89,500miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
16campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 4.6L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 18 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Ford E-250 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2004 Ford E-250. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and air bags (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 89,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns and 48 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign, 1 NHTSA investigation and 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes 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.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “The contact owns a 2004 Ford E-250. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle coasted to the side of the road and the contact waited for a minute to restart the vehicle before starting to drive however, the failure persisted. No warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle but could not duplicate the failure. …”

NHTSA complaint #11451171, filed 2022-02, 110,000 miles

Brakes: “The contact owns a 2004 Ford e250. The contact stated that the glue that held the emergency brake pad separated from the pedal. The contact stated he tried to use the emergency brake but it was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who inspected the failure but did not repair the failure. The manufacturer was notified who stated there was no recall and if there was a recall in the future he would receive a reimbursement. The failure mileage was 175,339.”

NHTSA complaint #10485290, filed 2012-11, 175,339 miles

Equipment: “While driving at any speed and when turning the steering wheel column will not come back to the original position. Dealer examined the vehicle, and replaced the steering gear box. Several days later, check engine light came on. Afterwards, the radio, interior lights, and back up lights stopped working. Dealer fixed the problem, but the engine light come on again.”

NHTSA complaint #10057751, filed 2004-02, 3,800 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 9,400 and 135,000 miles.

33%0–100%10–250%25–5017%50–750%75–10033%100–15017%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 89,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20042200820102012201820222
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 2004 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 2WD4.6L 8-cyl4-speed automatic141815$4,450

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

See all 16 recalls for the 2004 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. 48 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 48 bulletins →

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 2004 Ford E-250 have?

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2004 Ford E-250 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Ford E-250 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.

Has the 2004 Ford E-250 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford E-250 get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Ford E-250 (E250 Econoline 2WD, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 14 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Ford E-250 reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 89,500 miles and the middle half falls between 9,400 and 135,000 miles; 33% 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.