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250 platform

2011 Ford E-250

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 E.

Body VAN

The 2011 Ford E‑250 is a heavy‑duty van built on the 250 platform, designed for commercial use and equipped with a 6.0‑quart capacity for 5W‑20 API engine oil. In its 2011 incarnation, the vehicle generated a modest 23 owner complaints, the most frequent of which centered on the power train, and it was subject to 13 recalls that year. When placed in the broader context of the model’s history from 1990 to 2023, the E‑250’s 2011 reliability profile sits comfortably below the peak complaint year of 1998 (28 complaints) and far above the lowest point of 1990 (1 complaint), indicating a relatively stable and dependable platform for its time.

Model year2017 2016 2015 2014 2011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque140-150 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	211.8 in
Overall width	78.3 in
Overall height	56.7 in
Wheelbase	114.2 in
Curb weight	4189 lb
Track (front / rear)	63 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	56/44

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140-150 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Ford Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	13.9
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	7.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	14.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	10.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket	258.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle	98.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	98.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	140-150 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.043-0.047 in
Spark Plug Torque	10.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing	10

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Standard BCI Group Number	65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	650 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	650 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	55-60
RPM	55-60 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance	11-18 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure	20-45 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	27 ft-lbs / 45 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	195 ft-lbs / 166 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.118; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.511 in / 1.354 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

17 ft. lbs. Step 2: 32 ft. lbs., Step 3: 105

17 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

89 ft. lbs., step 2: loosen one turn 37 ft. lbs. step 3: 90

89 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

66 ft. lbs., step 2: loosen one turn 37 ft. lbs., step 3: 90

66 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

1	30.0 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90 degrees	90 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 59

15 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

1.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18

1.5 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 45,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 45,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 10,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect)
Every 20,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 50,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	Wheel Bearing (repack)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 model year arrives during a downward slope of the E-250’s federal record, following the high-water mark of 2006-2009 when recalls ranged from 18 to 30 units annually, yet preceding the lower-recall stability of 2012-2014. While complaints dropped to just six in 2011—matching 2007-2008 levels and falling from nine in 2010—recalls rebounded to 18 from 12 the previous year, then declined again to 12 in 2012, suggesting 2011 represents a temporary spike in manufacturer-initiated actions rather than a sustained pattern. Technical Service Bulletins held steady at 29, identical to 2010 and above the 26 recorded for 2012, with owner reports clustering in Power Train and Service Brakes, though the data does not specify root causes for these categories. With only one crash-related complaint and zero fire incidents recorded, the safety profile appears stable relative to adjacent years, but the elevated recall count relative to 2010 and 2012 warrants verification that all 18 campaigns were addressed. Given the low complaint volume and moderate TSB activity typical of this production phase, 2011 represents a reasonable acquisition target provided recall completion is documented, though buyers might weigh the slightly cleaner 2012 record as an alternative.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’98 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10’11’12 ’13 ’14 ’16 ’17 ’22 ’23

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 23 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train4

Service Brakes3

Engine2

Fuel/Propulsion System2

Steering2

Suspension1

Electrical System1

Structure1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 26 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
SSM 52476	2024-04-24	Equipment	All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 48130	2019-08-09	Visibility	Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or…
SSM 47976	2019-05-10	Power Train	On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter…
SSM 47201	2018-03-30	Equipment	Replacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket…
SSM 47009	2018-01-10	Equipment	The Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific E. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 65 battery Vehicles taking 6.0 qt 250-platform vehicles

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 E take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 E have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.