2013 Ford E-350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Ford E-350 has a Complaint Index of 40 and ranks 13th out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict capped by 9 recall campaigns for wheelchair lift platform issues. Suspension and tire wear complaints dominate, with a median failure mileage of 6,000 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 40/100
- #13 of 21 E-350 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 13
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 12.5
- 11 city / 14.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2013 Ford E-350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (62%)
- Brakes5 (38%)
- Engine3 (23%)
- Steering2 (15%)
- Electrical System1 (8%)
- Other1 (8%)
- Structure & Body1 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Front steer tires show severe positive camber and wear out after only a few thousand miles, sometimes requiring shim-based alignment fixes.
- Fleet operators report excessive front tire wear across multiple trucks, with tires failing inspection within a few thousand miles of use.
- One owner described the engine surging while stopped, with the brake unable to stop forward acceleration until the vehicle struck a tree.
- An owner of a 2013 E-350 motorhome reported a melted exhaust flange and worried about fire risk from excessive exhaust heat buildup.
- A owner noted the rear passenger doors do not latch properly, comparing it to a latch recall issued for other Ford models that year.
2013 Ford E-350 recalls
9 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.
2013 Ford E-350 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 11 MPG
- Highway
- 14.5 MPG
- Combined
- 12.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $5,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other E-350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Ford E-350 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2013 E-350 a Complaint Index of 40 with 13 complaints, ranking 13th of 21 model years. Its verdict is Caution, driven mainly by 9 recall campaigns rather than the complaint volume alone.
- What problems does the 2013 Ford E-350 have?
- The top problem area is Suspension, Wheels & Tires, accounting for 62% of complaints, mostly excessive front tire wear and camber issues reported around 6,000 miles. Brakes and Engine issues follow, including one crash tied to an engine surge complaint.
- Does the 2013 Ford E-350 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2013 E-350, all related to aftermarket wheelchair lift platforms built by Ricon needing supplemental support or inspection. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2013 E-350 compare to other years?
- It scores better than years like 2005, 2006, and 2008, which carry Avoid verdicts and higher Complaint Indexes of 85, 100, and 95. However, it ranks worse than the 2015 and 2016 model years, which earn Best verdicts with indexes of 20 and 10.
- Why is the 2013 Ford E-350 rated Caution instead of based on complaints alone?
- Its Complaint Index of 40 would suggest a lower-risk rating, but the verdict is capped to Caution because of 9 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit for wheelchair lift platform inspections.