1996 Ford E-250: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Ford E-250: 3 recalls, 20 owner complaints and up to 13 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #06V286000 · 2006 · 1,200,000 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch May overheat.
Why it matters: Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.
The fix: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2006.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #08V051000 · 2008 · 225,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles were previously repaired using a wiring harness that is not compatible with the vehicle circuit polarity.
Why it matters: As a result, the fuse is located in the output circuit rather than in the intended input power feed circuit, and May not offer the intended protection in the event of an electrical short to ground.
The fix: Dealers will install a new wiring harness, or replace the mating electrical component. The recall began on February 18, 2008.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #09V399000 · 2009 · 4,500,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The scds May leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Why it matters: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
The fix: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Tires (5): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (5).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (4): the most common themes are leaks (2).
- Engine & cooling (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1996 Ford E-250 has 20 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 16 E-250 model years for complaints (2.0× the average E-250 year). Complaints peaked in 2000 (4 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 94,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (15 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 16 | 13 | Regular |
| 4.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 13 | 12 | Regular |
| 4.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 12 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1996 Ford E-250.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1996 Ford E-250 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 1996 Ford E-250. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1996 Ford E-250 problems?
Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are tires (5), brakes (hydraulic) (4), engine & cooling (4).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Ford E-250 get?
EPA ratings run up to 13 mpg combined (5.8 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1996 Ford E-250 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.