Research · Vans, Cargo Type

2011 Ford E-250Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 17 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints for the 2011 Ford E-250. Most complaints involve engine (2) and power train (1). The EPA rates it 14–15 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14–15mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
17campaigns
Latest Dec 2025
Owner complaints
6
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$4,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

17 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Equipment adaptive

Free remedy

Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityReported Dec 17, 2025NHTSA 25V876000

Equipment adaptive

Free remedy

New England Wheels (New England) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-250, E-350, and 2015 Ford Transit vans equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts by Ricon. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack. Additionally, the lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityReported May 24, 2016NHTSA 16V350000

Equipment adaptive

Free remedy

New England Wheels is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-250, and E-350 cargo vans modified to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts built by the Ricon Corporation. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityReported Nov 20, 2015NHTSA 15V779000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

6 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2011 – Oct 2016
  1. Engine2
  2. Power train1
  3. Fuel/propulsion system1
  4. Wheels1
  5. Exterior lighting1
  6. Structure1
  7. Steering1
  8. Suspension1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each E-250 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20116
20128
201311
20147
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

2 reports
“THE PCM AT 34,000 MILES CAUSED TWO FUEL PUMPS TO BURN OUT IN 4 DAYS. A "WRENCH" WARNING SYMBOL APPEARED ON THE DASH AND THE VANS ENGINE DIES WHILE GOING AT HIGH SPEED (WE PULL A PRESSURE WASHING TRAILER HOLDING WITH HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS & WATER). IF IT WAS RAINING OR EVEN HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS COULD CAUSE A DANGEROUS LIFE THREATENING CRASH. ON WET ROADS THESE HEAVY COMMERCIAL VEHICLES CAN EASILY HYDRO-PLAIN WHEN THIS OCCURS PUTTING THE DRIVER & OTHERS IN DANGER WHO MAY BE IN THE PATH. WE ARE NOW WITHOUT OUR SERVICE VAN FOR 2 WEEKS & FORD ESTIMATED IN THE EXCESS OF $2600 IN REPAIRS ON A VEHICLE WITH JUST 34,000 MILES ON THE VAN.WE JUST REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION 3 MONTHS AGO. MY STEP FATHER IS 84 YEARS OLD WHO OWNS THIS VEHICLE AND HE IS A RETIRED NAVY CAPTAIN OF OVER 25 YEARS. HE AND I ARE BOTH CONCERNED THAT THIS VEHICLE IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT HIGH SPEEDS (60-70MPH) WITH THE LOADS WE CARRY IN OUR EVERY DAY SERVICE SCHEDULE. FORD SEEMS TO OFFER NO ASSISTANCE FINANCIALLY AND NO COMFORT IN RESOLVING THE SAFETY ISSUES RESULTING IN THE FAILURE OF THE PCM (POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE) WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY VERY DANGEROUS WHEN LARGE COMMERCIAL VEHICLES HAVE THE ENGINE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 3, 2016Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 10911231

Power train

1 report

Fuel/propulsion system

1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Vans, Cargo Type
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl · 5.4L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
E250 Van FFV
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131715$4,300592
E250 Van FFV
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121614$4,600635
  • E250 Van FFV
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • E250 Van FFV
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    12 city · 16 hwy · $4,600/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Ford E-250 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 145
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 E-250 questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Ford E-250 have?

17 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 Ford E-250 problems?

Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (2), power train (1), fuel/propulsion system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Ford E-250 get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Ford E-250 at 14–15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026