YearToAvoid

2021 Ford E-350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

90/100

#3 most-complained of 21 E-350 years

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

The 2021 Ford E-350 has 22 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 90 out of 100 — #3 highest of 21 E-350 model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is engine (11 complaints, 50% of the total). Complaints report 1 crash.

Complaints
22
Recalls
6
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2021 Ford E-350 problems

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

  1. Engine11 (50%)
  2. Brakes8 (36%)
  3. Steering7 (32%)
  4. Other2 (9%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (5%)
  6. Fuel System1 (5%)
2021 Ford E-350 complaints: complaints filed per month3Jun 2021Aug 2021Jun 2022Jul 2023Jun 2024Nov 2024Nov 2025Sep 2026
30 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Jun 2021 (3).

2021 Ford E-350 recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V793000Nov 17, 2025Engine7,046 vehicles

    Engine

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles that received an incomplete software update under recall 20V795. The engine cover may become excessively hot.

    Risk: Direct contact with certain areas of engine cover surface in the passenger compartment may increase the risk of injury or burns to the skin of the driver or front seat passenger.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain calibration for heat management under elevated idle conditions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC7. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 22, 2025.

  2. NHTSA 24V097000Feb 9, 2024Brakes16,543 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 E-350 and E-450 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels. An inadequate connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake hydroboost unit may result in a sudden loss of power steering fluid.

    Risk: A sudden loss of power steering fluid can result in a loss of power steering and power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the power steering pressure line and the hydroboost jumper line, free of charge. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 22V-089 and owners will need to have the new remedy completed even if their vehicle was remedied under the prior recall. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 21, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S07.

  3. NHTSA 22V089000Feb 16, 2022Brakes44,219 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 E-350 and E-450 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels. An inadequate connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake Hydroboost unit may result in a sudden loss of power steering fluid.

    Risk: A sudden loss of power steering fluid can result in a loss of power steering and power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the connection between the power steering lines and the Hydroboost unit, and replace the power steering lines, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 18, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S08.

See all 6 recalls for the 2021 Ford E-350 →

2021 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
2019No verdict3030—
2020No verdict020—
2021Avoid90226—
2022Avoid80143—
2023No verdict522—

All Ford E-350 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Ford E-350 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Ford E-350 ranks #3 of 21 among E-350 model years (Complaint Index 90/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 22 complaints and 6 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford E-350?
The most reported problem areas are engine (11 complaints), brakes (8 complaints), and steering (7 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 12,234 miles.
Does the 2021 Ford E-350 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2021 Ford E-350, most recently reported 2025, covering engine, brakes, and transmission & powertrain.

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.