2011 Ford E350 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Ford E350, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Tires & wheels422.2%
- Powertrain (other)316.7%
- Airbags211.1%
- Brakes211.1%
- Steering211.1%
- Engine15.6%
- Other / unspecified15.6%
- Driver assistance15.6%
- Body & structure15.6%
- Electrical15.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD E-350 EQUIPPED WITH B.F. GOODRICH TIRES, SIZE: LT 225/75R16. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BOUNCE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED AND NOTICED A BLISTER IN THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED AND THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY TEN MONTHS AGO DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD E-350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13T012000 (TIRES); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD E-350. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A METAL GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER THE SUBFRAME. THE GRINDING NOISE WAS ALSO PRESENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (WALDORF FORD, 2440 CRAIN HWY, WALDORF MD) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PLANETARY TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
TRANSMISSION HAS COMPLETELY FAILED ALREADY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FORD AMBULANCE I WAS IN WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. A CADILLAC ESCALADE CROSSED THE CENTER LINE STRIKING IN A OFF SET HEAD ON. THE CADILLAC WAS DOING APPROX. 40+ MPH. THE IMPACT WAS CENTERED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE AMBULANCE. THERE WAS ENOUGH IMPACT THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE AND THE ENGINE WAS PUSHED IN TO THE FIRE WALL. THERE WAS SLIGHT INTRUSION INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE AMBULANCE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE AIR BAGS IN THE CADILLAC DID DEPLOY. THERE WAS A THIRD VEHICLE INVOLVED. A FORD F`150 TRUCK THAT WAS SIDE SWIPED . THE AIR BAGS ALSO DEPLOYED. *TR
MY GIRLFRIEND WAS FALLING ASLEEP, GOT OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE. THE VAN IS TOTALED AND HAS A MAJOR DAMAGE ON THE FRONT. THANK GOD SHE DID NOT GET INJURED BUT I AM WORRIED WHAT WOULD NEED TO HAPPEN TO ACTIVATE THE AIRBAGS AT THIS VEHICLE AS THESE DID NOT OPEN AT THIS MAJOR CRASH. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The brakes are faulty. Have tried to have them repaired 3 times and it ends with the same problem. The brakes go all the way in and have to be pumped to stop.
Vehicle is not as described by VIN #, correctly. Vin describes as: 2011 Forest River Limited Edition Value Hauler. My vehicle is 2011 - E350 Ford Van, 12 passenger. The problem is with the brakes. Have had the brakes repaired 3 occasions, but the results is always the same. The brakes go completely end and have to be pumped to stop. I believe this is a manufacturing problem. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
ALL THREE BOLTS ON THE STEERING COMPARTMENT WENT OUT AND LOST CONTROL OF MY PICKUP TRUCK. I WAS LEAVING FROM MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED DRIVING 2 MPH PER HOUR. AN HOUR PRIOR TO THIS MY DAUGHTER DROVE THIS VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY AND I AM GLAD NOTHING HAD HAPPENED TO HER, THANK GOD. I CALLED INTER-MOUNTAIN TOWING COMPANY IN SLC, UT AND THEY TOOK IT TO FORD PERFORMANCE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED IT AND I ASKED FOR OLD BOLTS SO I CAN SEND THEM TO YOU, BUT THEY SAID THESE ARE INSIDE MY PICK UP TRUCK. WE CHECKED AND THERE WERE NONE. I ALSO HAVE PHOTO OF THOSE IF YOU NEED IT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM FORD PERFORMANCE IN BOUNTIFUL, UT FEBRUARY OF 2016.
AMBULANCE ON RESPONSE TO EMERGENCY CALL. STEERING WHEEL "LET GO" CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE ALL CONTROL. STEERING WHEEL COULD BE SPUN COMPLETELY 360 DEGREES VERY FAST. WE HAVE VIDEO OF THE CRASH AND STEERING WHEEL. WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS NOT A VEHICLE DEFECT IN AMBULANCES OF THIS TYPE. COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC EVENT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXTREME KNOCKING OF THE ENGINE AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF WARM UP INCLUDING A LOSS OF POWER AND ACCELERATION. THIS HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS FRONT ENGINE NOISE FROM THE "CAM SHAFT PHASER"VTC. EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO EXTERNAL APPEARANCE OF DAMAGE IT IS CONSIDERED DAMAGE THAT WILL CAUSE FURTHER INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
Unknown
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY VAN STALL 3 TIME IN THE HIGHWAY BASE ON A FUEL CONTROL MODULE I ALMOST HAD A ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS , ISAW ALSO A LETTER WITH A RECALL IF THE SAME PROBLEM 16S31 I HAVE TAKEN TO THE FORD COMPANY AND THEY REPLACE IT AND IT HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND I CARRY DISABILITY CHILDREN IN THIS VAN , ALWAYS EXCUSES
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY GIRLFRIEND WAS FALLING ASLEEP, GOT OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE. THE VAN IS TOTALED AND HAS A MAJOR DAMAGE ON THE FRONT. THANK GOD SHE DID NOT GET INJURED BUT I AM WORRIED WHAT WOULD NEED TO HAPPEN TO ACTIVATE THE AIRBAGS AT THIS VEHICLE AS THESE DID NOT OPEN AT THIS MAJOR CRASH. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRUCK DIED DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO WARNING ALREADY HAD WORK DONE, ON WIRING HARNESS WONT START. THE COMPUTER SHUTS OFF. WONT START BACK UP.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .