Ford E-350 Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Avoid 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2021, and 2022 Ford E-350 model years, which carry complaint indexes from 75 to 100 and dozens of recall campaigns. The best-rated years are 2015 and 2016, with complaint indexes of 20 and 10 and only 2 and 3 recalls.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2006Avoid 2008Avoid 2011Avoid 2021Avoid 2022Best 2015Best 2016
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 332
- Recall campaigns
- 84
- Crashes reported
- 23
- Fires reported
- 11
- Top problem area
- Engine
E-350 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Ford E-350 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 85 | 55 | 2 | 2 | 14 | Engine | — | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 100 | 53 | 7 | 2 | 37 | Engine | — | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 65 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 33 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 95 | 39 | 3 | 0 | 30 | Steering | — | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 60 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 25 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 70 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 16 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 75 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 18 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 12.5 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 45 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 12 | Engine | 12.5 | — |
| 2013 | Caution | 40 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 9 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 12.5 | — |
| 2014 | Caution | 50 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 11 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 12.5 | — |
| 2015 | Best | 20 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2016 | Best | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Structure & Body | — | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 55 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 4 | Steering | — | — |
| 2018 | No verdict | 35 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2019 | No verdict | 30 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2020 | No verdict | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 90 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 6 | Engine | — | — |
| 2022 | Avoid | 80 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Steering | — | — |
| 2023 | No verdict | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Engine | — | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 25 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
E-350 years to avoid: what went wrong
2006 Ford E-350 Index 100 · 53 complaints · 37 recalls
The 2006 E-350 ranks worst of all years with a complaint index of 100, 53 complaints, and 37 recall campaigns. Engine trouble accounts for 34% of complaints at a median 46,874 miles, including reports of sudden power loss while driving. Electrical system and steering issues each made up 17% of complaints, with steering problems showing up as early as 17,000 miles. NHTSA logged 7 crashes, 2 fires, and 3 injuries for this model year.
2008 Ford E-350 Index 95 · 39 complaints · 30 recalls
The 2008 E-350 carries a complaint index of 95 with 39 complaints and 30 recall campaigns. Steering problems lead at 31% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 20,500, including reports of vehicles swaying or shaking at highway speed. Suspension, wheels, and tires issues followed at 28%, with a median mileage of 48,500, including a reported tire failure. NHTSA recorded 3 crashes and 2 injuries tied to this year.
2021 Ford E-350 Index 90 · 22 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2021 E-350 has a complaint index of 90 with 22 complaints and 6 recall campaigns. Engine issues make up half of all complaints, including a recall for an engine cover that can become excessively hot. Brakes and steering problems each account for roughly a third of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 13,667 for both, including reports of power steering fluid leaks and warning-message cascades on the dash. NHTSA recorded 1 crash for this year.
2005 Ford E-350 Index 85 · 55 complaints · 14 recalls
The 2005 E-350 has a complaint index of 85 with 55 complaints and 14 recall campaigns. Engine problems dominate, making up 38% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 30,000, including reports of engines dying while driving. Electrical system issues (31% of complaints) surfaced around 23,000 miles, with owners describing repeated no-start events and stalling. Fuel system complaints, at 31%, appeared much later, around 87,000 miles. NHTSA also recorded 2 fires and 2 crashes for this year.
2005 engine problems →2005 electrical system problems →2005 fuel system problems →
2022 Ford E-350 Index 80 · 14 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2022 E-350 has a complaint index of 80 with 14 complaints and 3 recall campaigns. Steering problems account for half of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 11,000, including reports of lost power steering while driving uphill. Brakes follow at 29% of complaints, with a median mileage of 9,330.5, including reports of delayed stopping. A recall also covers fuel tank weld seam corrosion for this model year, and NHTSA logged 1 injury.
2011 Ford E-350 Index 75 · 19 complaints · 18 recalls
The 2011 E-350 has a complaint index of 75 with 19 complaints and 18 recall campaigns. Suspension, wheels, and tires problems lead at 26% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 100,000. Brakes and transmission and powertrain issues each accounted for 16% of complaints, with transmission problems including reports of erratic shifting and clutch failures. NHTSA logged 3 crashes for this model year, with no fires or injuries recorded.
Most common Ford E-350 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine79 (24%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires65 (20%)
- Steering58 (17%)
- Brakes49 (15%)
- Electrical System46 (14%)
- Fuel System43 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain33 (10%)
- Other26 (8%)
- Structure & Body21 (6%)
- Airbags5 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Ford E-350 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2021, and 2022 Ford E-350 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes ranging from 75 to 100 and recall counts as high as 37 campaigns for 2006.
- What is the best year for the Ford E-350?
- The 2015 and 2016 model years are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 20 and 10 and only 2 and 3 recall campaigns respectively.
- Is the 2006 Ford E-350 reliable?
- The 2006 E-350 ranks worst among all E-350 years, with a complaint index of 100, 53 complaints, and 37 recall campaigns, and engine problems make up 34% of those complaints.
- Does the Ford E-350 have steering recalls?
- Yes. The 2021 and 2022 model years share recall campaigns for a power steering pressure line connection to the brake Hydroboost unit, and 2008 and 2011 both show steering-related complaints among their top problem areas.
- What are the most common problems across all Ford E-350 years?
- Across all 21 model years, engine issues are the top problem area with 79 complaints (24%), followed by suspension, wheels, and tires at 65 complaints (20%), and steering at 58 complaints (17%).