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Ford E-250Model year report

2005 Ford E-250 Problems

Complaints
11filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
57,300miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
9campaigns 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 · 13 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Ford E-250 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2005 Ford E-250. The part named most often is air bags, with 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by fuel system (3) and steering (2). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 57,300 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns and 54 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins 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.

Example complaints

Air bags: “The contact owns a 2005 Ford E-250. The contact stated that once starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated for almost two weeks. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was then contacted and they advised him that he was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. Updated 6/8/11 updated 06/16/11”

NHTSA complaint #10396020, filed 2011-04, 40,000 miles

Fuel system: “The fuel tank straps failed due to rust in feb of 2013, the fuel tank will rust through soon. This is not an oem fuel tank in this vehicle it has a DOT approved fuel tank from a mfg called transfer flow, inc.out of chino, ca. I am disabled, the van was bought new as a modified wheelchair accessible conversion van. It is a 2005 Ford E-250 that has been modified by a company called norcalvans in california. When I contacted norcalvans they advised me that the van is outside of the 3 year 36,000 mile period. When I contacted transfer flow,inc. The mfg. …”

NHTSA complaint #10534984, filed 2013-08, 110,000 miles

Steering: “Warning. Safety hazard about duralast center link part# ds1287, alternative part number:ds6070x. I installed this part in 2005 Ford e250 but you can install this part in other vehicles also. I replace center link 1.5 years ago(07/17/2015). Metal thread on ball joint broken and made car unsteerable. This happened at parking when I turn wheels, if this happen on highway not on parking I will be death now.”

NHTSA complaint #11052041, filed 2017-12, 30,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,000 and 110,000 miles.

13%0–1013%10–2525%25–5013%50–750%75–10025%100–15013%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 57,300 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

200520062009201042011201320172019
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 2005 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 automatic131715$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 9 recalls for the 2005 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. 54 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 54 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 2005 Ford E-250 have?

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2005 Ford E-250 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Ford E-250 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by fuel system with 3.

Has the 2005 Ford E-250 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Ford E-250 get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Ford E-250 (E250 Econoline 2WD, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 13 city and 17 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 2005 Ford E-250 reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 57,300 miles and the middle half falls between 30,000 and 110,000 miles; 50% 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.