2016 Ford E-350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
7/100
#15 most-complained of 16 E-350 years
The 2016 Ford E-350 has 5 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and a complaint index of 7, ranking 15th of 16 model years — its best year for reported problems. Verdict: Best.
- Complaints
- 5
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2016 Ford E-350 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body2 (40%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (40%)
- Brakes1 (20%)
What owners report
- Parking brake cable chafes against the tire during normal steering and suspension movement.
- Automatic transmission shifter control cable rubs against the parking brake pedal assembly, causing chafing.
- Aftermarket seat pedestal pins fall out, letting the seat drop suddenly to its lowest position without warning.
- Exhaust odor detected inside the cabin, with carbon monoxide readings measured during shop testing.
- Check engine light triggered by a coast clutch cylinder and one-way clutch issue tied to a Ford campaign, reported at 100,000 miles.
2016 Ford E-350 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V205000Mar 18, 2019Structure & Body471 vehicles
Seats
Quality Van Sales, Inc. (Quality Van) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit and E-350 vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seat back cushions. The seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Quality Van will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began March 21, 2019. Owners may contact Quality Van customer service at 1-800-408-8550.
- NHTSA 16V046000Jan 28, 2016Electrical System75 vehicles
Electrical system: integrated trailer brake control
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 E-350 and E-450 vehicles manufactured November 3, 2014, to December 10, 2015 and equipped with a 6.8L engine and an optional trailer brake controller. The trailer braking system may fail, increasing the distance needed to stop the vehicle.
Risk: If the vehicle unexpectedly needs an extended braking distance, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S01. Note: This recall supersedes 15V-710. Any vehicle previously repaired under 15V-710 will need to be repaired again.
- NHTSA 15V710000Oct 27, 2015Electrical System65 vehicles
Electrical system: integrated trailer brake control
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 E-350 and E-450 vehicles manufactured November 3, 2014, to September 1, 2015, and equipped with a 6.8L engine and an optional trailer brake controller. In the affected vehicles, the trailer brake controller may not actuate the trailer brakes.
Risk: If the trailer brakes are not activated when the towing vehicle is slowing down, the distance needed to stop the vehicle may be lengthened, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S32.
2016 compared with other E-350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Ford E-350 reliable?
- Among 16 model years of E-350 data, 2016 ranks 15th worst, with a complaint index of 7 and only 5 complaints — one of the strongest years, with a 'Best' verdict.
- What problems does the 2016 Ford E-350 have?
- NHTSA lists 5 complaints split evenly between Structure & Body and Transmission & Powertrain issues, plus one brake complaint. Median mileage at failure ranged from 2,833 to 52,000 miles depending on the system.
- Does the 2016 Ford E-350 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 E-350: two involve the electrical system tied to the trailer brake controller and powertrain control module, and one involves a Structure & Body issue with a Freedman foldaway seat cushion.
- How does the 2016 E-350 compare to other years?
- The 2016 model's complaint index of 7 is much lower than 2021 (100) and 2022 (93), which are the worst years, and lower than 2010 (80) and 2011 (87), both marked 'Avoid'.