2005 Ford E-350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Ford E-350 has a complaint index of 85, ranking 4th-worst out of 21 model years, and carries a Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 55 complaints and 14 recalls, with engine problems (38% of complaints) as the top concern.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 E-350 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 55
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 14
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2005 Ford E-350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine21 (38%)
- Electrical System17 (31%)
- Fuel System17 (31%)
- Brakes5 (9%)
- Other5 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine stalls or dies completely while driving, sometimes at highway speed or during emergency response.
- Oil pump failure leads to total engine failure, reported repeatedly across ambulance-conversion vans.
- Vehicle shuts off unexpectedly with no warning lights or noise beforehand.
- Alternator fails and vehicle stalls at speed, sometimes followed by an electrical burning smell.
- Vacuum pump for the brake system fails without warning, causing hard pedal and loss of stopping power.
- Fuel system catches fire after a burning odor and white smoke appear while driving.
2005 Ford E-350 recalls
14 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 11V131000Feb 24, 2011Other185 vehicles
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner
Braun is recalling certain model year 2005 through 2011 paratransit vans built on ford e-350 chassis from april 27, 2005, through july 29, 2010, equipped with carrier genv em-1 evaporator units (em-1) manufactured from january 1, 2006 through december 2010, containing a delphi pack-con iii fuse holder in an allied motion motor assembly; em-1 unit part numbers 77-62112-xx and 77-62512-xx, starting with serial number knt90890232 to serial number nne91230058. Due to time, temperature, and/or vibration, the fuse may loosen in the fuse holder resulting in high resistance and arcing.
Risk: If sufficient arcing occurs, the fuse holder may melt, and may be accompanied by flame, smoke and potential fire.
Remedy: Braun will notify owners and instruct them to contact either carrier or a braun dealer to obtain the free remedy. The safety recall began on march 17, 2011. Owners may contact carrier at 1-800-793-4741 or braun at 1-800-the-lift (1-800-843-5438).
- NHTSA 09V326000Aug 3, 2009Other8 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Quality vans is recalling certain model year 2004 through 2006 vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Remedy: Quality vans is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or quality vans at 1-480-464-7007.
- NHTSA 09V325000Aug 3, 2009Other14 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Quality vans is recalling certain model year 2004 through 2008 vans manufactured between august 2005 and november 2007, equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Remedy: Quality vans is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or quality vans at 1-480-464-7007.
2005 compared with other E-350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Ford E-350 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 E-350 ranks 4th-worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 85, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other E-350 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Ford E-350?
- Engine issues make up 38% of complaints, followed by electrical system and fuel system problems, each at 31%. Owners report stalling, oil pump failures, and unexpected shutdowns.
- Does the 2005 Ford E-350 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the 2005 E-350, mostly involving Ricon wheelchair lift installations on converted vans, plus one covering evaporator units in paratransit conversions.
- At what mileage do 2005 Ford E-350 problems usually appear?
- The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 67,294 miles, though engine problems show a lower median of 30,000 miles and fuel system issues a higher median of 87,000 miles.
- Is the 2005 E-350 the worst year for this model?
- No, the 2006 E-350 has a higher complaint index of 100 and is also rated Avoid. The 2005 model ranks 4th-worst out of 21 years tracked.