- What you'll get from Ford E-250 VIN check?
- Ford E-250 Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Ford E-250 VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Ford E-250
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Ford E-250 VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Ford E-250 VIN.
- 10th Character in the Ford E-250 VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Ford E-250 VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Ford E-250 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford E-250
- How to find a Ford E-250's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford E-250
What you’ll get from Ford E-250 VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly indicating the year 1999, offering insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Engine Type and Displacement: The encoded VIN provides details about the engine, including a V-shaped configuration, a displacement of 5.4 liters, and being manufactured by Ford, potentially pointing towards the engine’s size and maker.
- Fuel Type: The VIN suggests that the primary fuel type for the vehicle is gasoline, indicating the energy source the vehicle relies upon.
- Body Class and Structure: The VIN classifies the vehicle as a Cargo Van with an extended bed type, giving an idea of the vehicle’s intended use and capacity.
- Drive Type: The VIN indicates a 4x2 drive type, which may provide information about the vehicle’s drivetrain and handling characteristics.
- Safety Features: It seems that the presence of front airbags for the 1st row (driver and passenger) as a safety feature can be deduced, possibly emphasizing the vehicle’s safety provisions.
- Plant Information: Details found in the VIN such as the manufacturing plant being located in Lorain, Ohio, United States, can be uncovered, possibly shedding light on the vehicle’s origin.
Ford E-250 Vehicle History Risk Factors
Ford’s used vehicle market is enormous — the F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in America — which means the range of vehicle condition is equally wide. A Bumper VIN check on a used Ford addresses several high-frequency issues.
1.0L and 1.5L EcoBoost coolant intrusion (2013–2018 Escape, Fusion, Focus). Ford’s smaller EcoBoost engines in this generation had a well-documented defect where coolant could leak into the engine, causing overheating and, in some cases, engine fires. NHTSA investigated this issue extensively. A service record showing repeated coolant top-offs or a replaced head gasket is a significant red flag on these models.
6R80 transmission issues on F-150 (2011–2016). Ford’s six-speed automatic in this generation of F-150 generated substantial owner complaints and TSBs related to shuddering, hard shifts, and converter clutch failure. High-mileage examples from this era warrant close inspection of transmission service records.
Rust and frame integrity on pre-2015 F-150s. Earlier aluminum-free F-150s are susceptible to frame and cab corner rust in northern states. Check ownership registration history — a truck that’s spent its life in the Rust Belt will have a different condition profile than one from the Southwest.
Salvage frequency on high-demand models. F-150s, Mustangs, and Explorers appear disproportionately in salvage and rebuilt title databases because of their volume and resale value. Title washing — where a salvage-titled vehicle is re-registered in a lenient state to obtain a clean title — is a real risk on popular Ford trucks and SUVs.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Ford E-250 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Ford E-250 VIN
World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique codes assigned to every vehicle manufacturer, comprising the initial three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). These identifiers offer insights into the manufacturer’s name, vehicle type, and the country of origin. For instance, the WMI 1FT is allocated to Ford Motor Company, highlighting vehicles classified as trucks produced in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. This code is crucial for identifying specifics about vehicles, such as the Ford E-250, indicating its manufacturing details across various model years from 1988 to 2014. WMIs serve as an essential tool in the automotive industry for tracking, registration, and recall purposes.
List of WMI Codes for a Ford E-250
WMI: 1FT
- Model Years Covered: 1988, 1990-2014
- Example VIN: 1FTGS24H4JHB96175
- Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Dearborn
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
WMI: 1FM
- Model Years Covered: 1990
- Example VIN: 1FMHE21H9LHB78611
- Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Dearborn
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Ford E-250 VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Ford’s Vehicle Descriptor Section follows a consistent encoding structure across its F-Series, Explorer, Mustang, and Escape lineups, though the specific codes vary considerably by platform generation. For F-150s, the VDS encodes cab configuration, bed length, and engine type — all critical details when evaluating a used truck, since a VIN that decodes to a base 3.3L V6 is a very different vehicle than one with the 5.0L Coyote V8 or the 3.5L EcoBoost. The engine character in the VDS is particularly important on Ford’s turbocharged EcoBoost models, where buyers frequently need to verify the specific engine variant for maintenance planning and insurance purposes.
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a Ford E-250 VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the Ford E-250 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| E | 2014 Ford E-250 |
| D | 2013 Ford E-250 |
| C | 2012 Ford E-250 |
| B | 2011 Ford E-250 |
| A | 2010 Ford E-250 |
| 9 | 2009 Ford E-250 |
| 8 | 2008 Ford E-250 |
| 7 | 2007 Ford E-250 |
| 6 | 2006 Ford E-250 |
| 5 | 2005 Ford E-250 |
| 4 | 2004 Ford E-250 |
| 3 | 2003 Ford E-250 |
| 2 | 2002 Ford E-250 |
| 1 | 2001 Ford E-250 |
| Y | 2000 Ford E-250 |
| X | 1999 Ford E-250 |
| W | 1998 Ford E-250 |
| V | 1997 Ford E-250 |
| T | 1996 Ford E-250 |
| S | 1995 Ford E-250 |
| R | 1994 Ford E-250 |
| P | 1993 Ford E-250 |
| N | 1992 Ford E-250 |
| M | 1991 Ford E-250 |
| L | 1990 Ford E-250 |
| J | 1988 Ford E-250 |
11th Character in the Ford E-250 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Ford E-250 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | Avon Lake | Ohio | United States | Ohio Assembly Plant | 1FTNE24W06DA08005 |
| H | Lorain | Ohio | United States | 1FTGS24H4JHB96175 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford E-250
The final 6 characters in a Ford E-250’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Ford E-250’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Ford E-250 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look on the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Ford E-250, where the VIN is often visible through the windshield.
- Examine the door frame on the driver’s side when the door is open; the VIN can usually be found on a sticker or plate in this area.
- Check the engine block of your Ford E-250, as the VIN is sometimes engraved on the engine itself.
- Look at your vehicle’s insurance or registration documents, which should list the VIN of your Ford E-250.
- Inspect the rear wheel well on the driver’s side; in some cases, the VIN might be visible just above the tire.
Don’t have your Ford E-250’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford E-250
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Bed Type | Extended |
| Body Class | Cargo Van |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Displacement (CC) | 5400.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 329.52821811155 |
| Displacement (L) | 5.4 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 255 |
| Engine Brake (hp) To | 260 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 2G: 8,001 - 9,000 lb (3,629 - 4,082 kg) |
| Model | E-250 |
| Model Year | 1999 |
| Other Engine Info | EFI Windsor Engine Plant, SEFI: Sequential Electronic Fuel Injection Windsor Engine Plant |
| Other Restraint System Info | 2nd gen front airbag |
| Plant City | Lorain |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Ohio |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | Econoline |
| Trim | Extended Van |
| Valve Train Design | Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1FTNS24L*XH |
| Vehicle Type | Truck |
| Sample VIN | 1FTNS24L2XHB43303 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Ford E-250 for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Ford E-250?
On most Ford vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Ford E-250's history for free?
Enter the Ford E-250’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Ford E-250 VIN numbers start with?
Ford E-250 VIN's start with 1FT and 1FM for vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company in United States. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Ford E-250.
Decode a Ford VIN
Look up a Ford E-250 by license plate:
Compare this vehicle to another
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today