The Lemon Index
20014th generation
112 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
When problems show up
Only 18 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 10V270000 (seats), 09V399000 (speed control) and 08V051000 (speed control) done? It has 7 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Ford sent dealers 43 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Clunk from front suspension”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 112 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 18K to 43K miles (29K to 69K km) on the car (18 of all 112 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Vehicle will wander off to the left and right intermittently. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership, and they replaced steering gear box and adjusted it. Consumer is still having the same problem.
2000 Ford E-Series owner · NHTSA complaint 868032
More owner reports
While traveling 20 mph and without any indication left outer side tire tread separated.
NHTSA complaint 10034190
215/75r/16 firestone steelex with over 50% of life left separated from its tread. The 3/4 ton van skidded all over the highway, and finally rolled over. The van was totaled. The tire failed when less then mid life was left.
NHTSA complaint 10016179
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 43 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Clunk from front suspension
- The rear suspension system installation and maintenance guide revision d
- This SKU is a front upper ball joint
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- Seats · recall issued 2010
ACCESS OPTIONS IS RECALLING CERTAIN TRUCKS AND VANS BUILT ON FORD E150, E350, TOYOTA SIENNA, AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH VMI/RICON 6-WAY POWER SEAT BASES.
- Speed control · recall issued 2009
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…
- Speed control · recall issued 2008
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…
Show all 7 recalls
- Speed control · recall issued 2007
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN VANS WITH AMBULANCE PREP PACKAGES OR OTHER SEVERE-DUTY APPLICATIONS INVOLVING OPERATION AT OR NEAR THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT WITH FREQUENT TWISTING OF THE VEHICLE BODY, SUCH AS OFF-ROAD, RO…
- Equipment · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL CNG PICKUP TRUCKS AND BI-FUEL CNG VANS, MODIFIED BY CFI CONTROL SYSTEMS, INC., FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 303, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY OF COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS VEHICLES.…
- Wheels · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CUTAWAYS AND STRIPPED CHASSIS WITH SINGLE REAR WHEELS.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedHvac switch failures2010–2012
- ClosedHvac switch failures2009–2010
- ClosedSpark plug ejection from cylinder head2005–2006
- ClosedEngine compartment fires2005–2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Every Ford E-Series year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-e-series/?y=2000" title="Ford E-Series reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="698" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-e-series/2000/">Lemon Index</a> (2000 Ford E-Series reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2000 Ford E-Series reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 54; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford E-Series year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2000 Ford E-Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (42%), suspension (19%) and brakes (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Ford E-Series have?
7 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Does the 2000 Ford E-Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 6% of its owner complaints.
What Ford E-Series year is better than the 2000?
Nearby, the 2002 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works