2006 Ford E-350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 Ford E-350 has 53 NHTSA complaints and 37 recall campaigns, giving it a complaint index of 100, the worst of all 21 model years tracked. It ranks 1st worst overall with engine problems (34% of complaints) leading the list.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 21 E-350 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 53
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 37
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2006 Ford E-350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine18 (34%)
- Electrical System9 (17%)
- Steering9 (17%)
- Brakes7 (13%)
- Fuel System7 (13%)
- Structure & Body6 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (6%)
- Other2 (4%)
- Seat Belts2 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine reportedly loses power suddenly at highway speed while power steering also cuts out, forcing drivers to steer off the road.
- A wiring fault under the hood ignited a fire while the van sat parked, destroying the vehicle at 50,000 miles.
- Spark plugs have blown out of the cylinder head on the 5.4-liter engine, spraying fuel that ignites near the engine.
- Transmission shifts erratically and unpredictably, with owners reporting loss of control at speed.
- Steering has suddenly gone out while driving around 30 mph, with the wheel spinning uncontrollably after a loud noise.
- The stability system reportedly engages test mode while driving, temporarily cutting brake and steering response.
2006 Ford E-350 recalls
37 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V350000May 24, 2016Other2 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
New England Wheels (New England) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-250, E-350, and 2015 Ford Transit vans equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts by Ricon. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack. Additionally, the lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
Risk: If the platform side plates crack or the platform mounting fails from out-of-position bearings, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the vehicle's doors are opened, the platform may fall onto the lift operator, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: New England will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on June 29, 2016. Owners may contact New England customer service at 1-800-886-9247. New England's number for this recall is 16E-020.
- NHTSA 15V779000Nov 20, 2015Other278 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
New England Wheels is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-250, and E-350 cargo vans modified to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts built by the Ricon Corporation. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
Risk: If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.
Remedy: New England Wheels will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on January 5, 2016. Owners may contact New England Wheels customer service at 1-800-866-9247, or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884. New England Wheels' number for this recall is 15E-068. Note: These vans and wheelchair lifts were subject to a similar recall in 2014. All vehicles that received that recall remedy are still affected by this recall as well.
- NHTSA 15V763000Nov 17, 2015Other285 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Mobility Specialists, Inc. (Mobility Specialists) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-250, and E-350 vehicles modified to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack. Additionally, the affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
Risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator. Additionally, if the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.
Remedy: Mobility Specialists will notify owners to take their vehicles to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on November 13, 2015. Owners may contact Mobility Specialists customer service at 1-877-777-5438, or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.
2006 compared with other E-350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Ford E-350 reliable?
- Compared to other E-350 model years, 2006 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 and 53 NHTSA complaints, plus 37 recall campaigns.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2006 Ford E-350?
- Engine problems are the top complaint category, making up 34% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 46,874 miles.
- Does the 2006 Ford E-350 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 37 recall campaigns tied to this model year, most involving Ricon wheelchair lift installations by various mobility conversion companies.
- How does the 2006 E-350 compare to other years?
- 2006 has the highest complaint index (100) among all 21 model years with data, ranking as the single worst year, while 2015 and 2016 rank as the lowest-risk years with indexes of 20 and 10.