I was stopped at an intersection with truck in gear and clutch pedal down, all of a sudden the clutch released with the pedal still down causing the truck to lurch into the street about 15 ft before I could stop with the brakes. The cars in the street were able to avoid me but I was very shaken. I found the problem was the "clutch rod end plastic bushing and retainer" had failed allowing the clutch to release without the pedal. This was replaced but failed again 6 months later. Fortunately I always keep the truck in neutral when stopped now so it was only an inconvenience. Checking the internet for a fix I found several companies that make a replacement assembly for this because of all the failures. I have been keeping the "rod end" in place with wire and always keep in neutral to prevent another failure but have ordered a replacement assembly an ebay company to prevent this very dangerous failure from happening again. Why hasn't ford notified anyone about this possible catastrophic and life threatening failure and at least supplied parts to fix this correctly.
The worst 1996 Ford E-250 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Tires5
- Brakes4
- Engine4
- Transmission3
- Acceleration2
- Fuel system2
- Body1
- Locks1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Ford E-250
Recalls 3
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
- Risk
- A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
- Remedy
- 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 on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.
Recall number 09V399000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control: cruise control
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling 225,000 my 1992-2003 econoline, my 1993-1995 taurus sho, my 1992-1998 crown victoria, my 1993 bronco, f-series, my 1995-1997 f-series super duty stripped chassis, my 1992-1998 mercury grand marquis, and my 1992-1995 lincoln town car vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired using a wiring harness that is not compatible with the vehicle circuit polarity.
- Risk
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new wiring harness, or replace the mating electrical component. The recall began on february 18, 2008. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 08V051000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
- Risk
- Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on august 7, 2006. Owners may contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332. (note: also see recalls 05v017 and 05v388)
Recall number 06V286000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Ford E-250 49
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This SKU is a front upper ball joint
- A bump steer steering feeling, noted when the vehicle's front wheels/tires contact road surface irregularities
- Concerns with bump steer steering feeling noted when front wheels / tires contact road surface irregularities
- Some vehicles may exhibit a fuel fill valve sealing condition
- Repeat message regarding a hard start / no start condition
- Addressing tire balance hints
- Subject regarding tire balance hint
- Information on super duty models with 7.3L diesel engines exhibiting rough idle / miss condition
- Some super duty vehicles with 7.3L dit diesel engines may exhibit 4X4 lights on, 4X4 inoperative and / or...
- Information on super duty 7.3 dit diesel engine vehicles exhibiti lack of power
1996 Ford E-250 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.8L 8‑cyl | RWD | 11 | 16 | 13 |
| 4.9L 6‑cyl | RWD | 11 | 13-15 | 12 |
What 1996 Ford E-250 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
There is a pressure switch on my master cylinder of the braking system. There is o listed recall for my pickup truck how ever after about $900.00 and 2 different auto shops I found this switch to be the defective part and when I went to the dealer jim click of tuscon az and the parts guy gave me the part I requested I questioned the wiring harness adaptor and why the switch was not the same as I brought him. He stated well there was a lot of failures with the old design and it was a recall I stated well shouldn't the part be free no response - - the defect in the part was an air leak causing me to chase it for a year on and off constantly bleeding little air bubbles out with over a gallon of fluid. I noticed it with just the ever so slight of dirt sticking to the leak on the under side of switch which could not be seen. This leak resulted in a constantly soft pedal with a about a 1-2 second braking delay. I checked to ford site and the only existing recall is a speed sensor. Not for this part.
I have 2 1996 ford e250 vans. They both leak gas out the fill tube if I fill them all the way up. Especially if I park on a slope. I asked the ford dealer if this was a recall item and they told me no. It should be.
My drivers side door handle was hanging up. 4 yrs ago it broke, replaced it 3 times over the next year. Gave up and just roll my window down and open it from the outside. Now my passenger door is doing it. Last week ran into somebody at the gas station who watched me roll my window down to get out and was laughing, said his ford van same year does not work on passenger side. Met a man almost 3 yrs ago at ford dealership walking with door handle in hand, same thing. I have met at least 6 or 7 people with the same problem in this year of ford truck. If you have to exit the vehicle in a hurry or the power system fails you are out of luck for you are stuck in it. I have met to many people with the same problem. I can't believe this has not been recalled. Very frustrated. I found on the ford powerstroke forum that many other people are having this problem and they say it is hanging up on a piece of metal inside. Now I have no doors that open from inside.
After filling fuel tank with gas the gas will leak around the seam of the tank. The dealership indicated that their was a leak in the fuel tank which was caused by the frame rubbing against the tank. There is a recall for this part but it for the 1995 vehicle. Please provide more details. Ts
Vehicle lunges forward with the foot applied to the brake. Vehicle idles real rough before accelerating. Problem is intermittent, and could not be duplicated by the dealer.
While waiting at stop light or sign vehicle would idle roughly. Would jerk forward with foot on brake. Sometimes would almost stall out when at a stop. Been to dealer, and nothing could be found. It was an intermittent problem.
.engine oil pan leaked all over driveway. Warranty was up in january of 2001. Oil pan was rusted. *ak
Radial r4s, lt 225/75r16, dot vd1l1xd418338, replacement tires, 1 blowout passenger rear at 2000 miles on tire, 2 tread separation on passenger rear tire. Before 8000 miles on tires, and at about 65 MPH. *ak
Two firestone steeltex radial r4s tires experienced tread separation, consumer request reimbursement. Nlm
Compare the 1996 Ford E-250
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Questions about the 1996 Ford E-250
Is the 1996 Ford E-250 reliable?
Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 1996 Ford E-250, 2.5 times a typical E-250 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Ford E-250?
Tires, with 5 complaints. Next is brakes (4).
How many recalls does the 1996 Ford E-250 have?
3 recalls, covering vehicle speed control.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Ford E-250 get?
Official estimates for the 1996 Ford E-250 range from 12 to 13 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.8L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 11 city and 16 highway.
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