YearToAvoid

2005 Ford E-350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

85/100

#4 most-complained of 21 E-350 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2005 Ford E-350 has 55 owner complaints and 14 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 85 out of 100 — #4 highest of 21 E-350 model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is engine (21 complaints, 38% of the total). Complaints report 2 crashes and 2 fires.

Complaints
55
Recalls
14
Crashes / fires
2 / 2
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2005 Ford E-350 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine21 (38%)
  2. Electrical System17 (31%)
  3. Fuel System17 (31%)
  4. Brakes5 (9%)
  5. Other5 (9%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain5 (9%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (5%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers1 (2%)
2005 Ford E-350 complaints: complaints filed per month16Aug 2005Apr 2007Nov 2008Mar 2010Nov 2011Jul 2013Apr 2015
74 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2005 to Nov 2023; peak Aug 2006 (16).

2005 Ford E-350 recalls

14 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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).

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 14 recalls for the 2005 Ford E-350 →

2005 compared with other E-350 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Avoid855514—
2006Avoid1005337—
2007Caution651833—

All Ford E-350 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Ford E-350 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Ford E-350 ranks #4 of 21 among E-350 model years (Complaint Index 85/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 55 complaints and 14 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Ford E-350?
The most reported problem areas are engine (21 complaints), electrical system (17 complaints), and fuel system (17 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 67,294 miles.
Does the 2005 Ford E-350 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the 2005 Ford E-350, most recently reported 2011, covering other and electrical system.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.