NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–2006

Ford E-550 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 75 owner complaints for the Ford E-550, covering model years 1995 to 2006. The 2003 model year drew the most complaints (66), and Engine and Engine Cooling is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Ford E-550 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

4 recall campaigns on file
75 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
12 model years with data (1995–2006)

most complaints: 2003 (66 for that model year)
top component: Engine and Engine Cooling (23 complaints)
latest recall 09V399000 (reported Oct 13, 2009)

8 complaints reporting a crash (10.7%)
3 complaints reporting a fire (4.0%)
7 complaints reporting an injury (9.3%)
0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Ford E-550 complaints by model year

5 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2003 model year has the most complaints: 66 of 75, or 88.0%. Next come 2005 (4) and 2006 (3). The fewest are for 2004, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years

Ford E-550 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death

Ford E-550 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year	Complaints	Reporting a crash	Reporting a fire	Reporting an injury
2002	1	0	0	0
2003	66	7	3	7
2004	1	0	0	0
2005	4	0	0	0
2006	3	1	0	0
All model years	75	8	3	7

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Ford E-550 components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often, in 23 complaints (30.7% of all 75), followed by Power Train (10) and Electrical System (9).

Components named most often in Ford E-550 complaints (top 15)

Components named most often in Ford E-550 complaints (top 15)
Component	Complaints	Share of complaints
Engine and Engine Cooling	23	30.7%
Power Train	10	13.3%
Electrical System	9	12.0%
Tires	9	12.0%
Air Bags	6	8.0%
Fuel System, Diesel	5	6.7%
Visibility	5	6.7%
Fuel System, Other	3	4.0%
Seat Belts	3	4.0%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	3	4.0%
Fuel/Propulsion System	2	2.7%
Steering	2	2.7%
Suspension	2	2.7%
Engine	1	1.3%
Exterior Lighting	1	1.3%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Ford E-550 recalls

4 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name E-550, newest first. The 4 campaigns cover model years 1995 to 2004. The 2003 model year appears in the most campaigns (4).

4 recall campaigns

Ford E-550 recall campaigns covering each model year
Decade	Years ending in 0	Years ending in 1	Years ending in 2	Years ending in 3	Years ending in 4	Years ending in 5	Years ending in 6	Years ending in 7	Years ending in 8	Years ending in 9
1990s						1995: 1 campaign	1996: 1 campaign	1997: 1 campaign	1998: 1 campaign	1999: 1 campaign
2000s	2000: 1 campaign	2001: 1 campaign	2002: 2 campaigns	2003: 4 campaigns	2004: 2 campaigns

Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

NHTSA campaign 09V399000
Reported Oct 13, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
Model years 1995–2003
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.
Consequence:
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.
Filed by Ford Motor Company
NHTSA campaign 07V078000
Reported Mar 6, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control
Model years 2002–2003
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
Consequence:
Overheating could result in smoke, burn, or an underhood fire.
Remedy:
Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on March 12, 2007. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. (Note: also see recalls 05V017, 05V388, and 06V286)
Filed by Ford Motor Company
NHTSA campaign 04V445000
Reported Sep 13, 2004
Engine and Engine Cooling
Model years 2003–2004
On certain vans, the air filter element material process resulted in an air filter paper element that can smolder or burn. This change in filter paper composition combined with the configuration of the air induction system, may allow hot carbon particles to contact the air filter element during certain driving conditions that create hot particles.
Consequence:
These hot particles may ignite the air filter element with the potential for air induction system damage or underhood fire.
Remedy:
Dealers will inspect and replace the air filter element. The recall began September 27, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also Ford is extending the limited warranty (for a one time replacement) of the ABS module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until September 30, 2005.
Filed by Ford Motor Company
NHTSA campaign 04V444000
Reported Sep 13, 2004
Electrical System › Wiring
Model years 2003–2004
On certain vans, a diode in the anti-lock braking system (ABS) module may experience an electrical short.
Consequence:
The electrical short may cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, or the module may overheat resulting in a burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition may occur while the vehicle is being driven or unattended.
Remedy:
Dealers will install a new fuse in the ABS circuit and install a heat shield over the ABS module. The recall began on October 15, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also Ford is extending the limited warranty (for a one time replacement) of the ABS module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until September 30, 2005.
Filed by Ford Motor Company

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means

What each recall field means
Field	What it tells you
Campaign number	NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component	The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary	What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence	The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy	What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.

Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Ford E-550 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Ford E-550 have?

NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recall campaigns for the Ford E-550, covering model years 1995 to 2006. The most recent, 09V399000, was reported on October 13, 2009 and is filed under “Vehicle speed control”. The 2003 model year is covered by the most campaigns (4).

Which Ford E-550 model year has the most complaints?

The 2003 model year, with 66 of the 75 complaints in NHTSA’s file (88.0%). The next are 2005 (4) and 2006 (3). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Ford E-550 complaint?

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often: 23 complaints, or 30.7% of all 75. Power Train (10) and Electrical System (9) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Ford E-550?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Ford dealer.

How many Ford E-550 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 75 complaints, 8 report a crash, 3 a fire, 7 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

8 models · most complaints first

The Ford models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Ford VIN decoder with every Ford model page, WMI code and VIN note.

Ford F-150 1995–2027 · 158 recalls · 35,790 complaints
Ford Explorer 1995–2027 · 131 recalls · 31,089 complaints
Ford Escape 2000–2026 · 95 recalls · 27,343 complaints
Ford Fusion 2006–2020 · 46 recalls · 22,383 complaints
Ford Focus 1999–2018 · 36 recalls · 22,086 complaints
Ford Windstar 1995–2005 · 33 recalls · 14,108 complaints
Ford Edge 2004–2024 · 43 recalls · 14,009 complaints
Ford Taurus 1995–2019 · 52 recalls · 12,702 complaints

All Ford models and WMI codes Look up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.