The most-reported E-150 run is 1FTRE1424WH (1998 builds) with 3 complaints, 2.7× the typical run. Power train problems make up 15% of reports; 2012 is the worst model year at 1.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 56 recall campaigns for E-150 model years 1981–2014.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Ford E-150 has 131 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 8% of every E-150 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1FTRE1424WH•••••• | 1998 | 1 | — | |
| 1FDRE14L9WH•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| 1FDRE14L8WH•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| 1FMRE11W06H•••••• | 2006 | — | — | |
| 1FMRE11L1WH•••••• | 1998 | 1 | — | |
| 1FTNE1EW1CD•••••• | 2012 | — | — | |
| 1FTRE1426WH•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| 1FDRE1463WH•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| 1FDRE14L3WH•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| 1FTRE1427WH•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| 1FDRE14L2WH•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| 1FDRE14L6WH•••••• | 1998 | — | — |
Each of the other 119 E-150 runs has 2 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 33 E-150 VINs so far, most often 2003, 2012, 2001 builds.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Ford E-150 the gap between build years is 1.3×: a 2012 car draws 1.3 complaints per run, a 1991 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 6 | 6 | — | |
| 2013 | 16 | 16 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 10 | 8 | — | |
| 2009 | 6 | 6 | — | |
| 2008 | 10 | 10 | — | |
| 2007 | 9 | 9 | — | |
| 2006 | 13 | 12 | — | |
| 2005 | 14 | 14 | 2 | |
| 1998 | 48 | 36 | 4 | |
| 1991 | 12 | 12 | — |
Heaviest year here is 2012 at 1.3 complaints per run; lightest is 1991 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 15% of everything Ford E-150 owners report: Power Train, 20 of 146 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | — | — | |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 1 | |
| Engine | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 1 | |
| Electrical System | — | — | |
| Fuel System | — | 1 | |
| Gasoline | — | 1 | |
| Hydraulic | 3 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 56 recall campaigns on the Ford E-150; the 6 below cover build years 1992 to 2014. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 08V051000 | Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control | 1992–2003 |
| 09V399000 | Vehicle Speed Control | 1992–2003 |
| 14V706000 | Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 2006–2014 |
| 15V729000 | Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 2006–2014 |
| 07V336000 | Vehicle Speed Control | 1992–2003 |
| 14V584000 | Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 2007–2014 |
08V051000 was opened in 2008 on cars built from 1992: 16 years on the road before the recall.
How serious were they
Of the 146 reports on the Ford E-150, 5.5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Ford E-150 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 146 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 8 (5.5%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 3 (2.1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 11 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Ford E-150 share of that is 146 complaints over 131 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Ford E-150 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 146 NHTSA complaints from 131 E-150 runs and 56 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which E-150 production run has the most complaints?
1FTRE1424WH, a 1998 build, with 3 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical E-150 run has 1.1.
Which E-150 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2012 is heaviest at 1.3 complaints per run and 1991 lightest at 1.
How many E-150 complaints involve a crash?
5.5% of 146 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 3 involved a fire.
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