RoadVitals

2013 Ford E350

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Oct 17, 2022
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
9
Latest May 24, 2016
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Ford E350, most frequently naming the suspension, tires & wheels and other / unspecified categories. 9 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 30 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Suspension723.3%
  • Tires & wheels620.0%
  • Other / unspecified516.7%
  • Brakes516.7%
  • Engine26.7%
  • Steering26.7%
  • Driver assistance13.3%
  • Electrical13.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

9 campaigns cover this model year

View all 9

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
16V350000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

May 24, 2016
2 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
New England WheelsManufacturer number 16E-020View on NHTSA.gov
15V779000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Nov 20, 2015
278 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
New England WheelsManufacturer number 15E-068View on NHTSA.gov
15V763000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Nov 17, 2015
285 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
Mobility Specialists, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 13
Body & structure
Filed Oct 17, 2022

The passenger doors on the back of this van do not latch properly. Oddly enough almost EVERY Ford Model from this year has a recall for the same door latches-but not this model. I'm not sure why this hasn't been recalled except that maybe because there are less of these model Fords on the road-less reports have been made.

NHTSA ID
11489538
Incident
Oct 17, 2022
Suspension
Filed Aug 16, 2022

I purchased this lift kit based on multiple reviews including personal friends. After install, I have had to undergo four alignments with no resolution. Multiple mechanics have confirmed that the kit is defective. I have been in contact with the manufacturer but they have stopped responding to me. They freely admitted to my alignment shop and myself that they do not use any jigs or templates to build these kits. They are modifying stock I-beams which clearly and obviously dictate in forged letters to not modify. I have asked for a fix or resolution and WeldTech is no longer responding. I have initiated a chargeback on my card. This kit poses a significant safety risk in that it causes the vehicle to not track straight or true requiring constant correction. Even a momentary lapse in attention could result in crossing lanes or into shoulders or ditches putting the driver and occupants and other vehicles on the road at risk.

NHTSA ID
11479610
Incident
Aug 10, 2022
Engine
Filed Feb 26, 2019

2013 FORD E350 SUPER DUTY MOTORHOME. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MELTED EXHAUST FLANGE AND CONCERN ABOUT POTENTIAL FOR FIRE CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE EXHAUST HEAT BUILD UP. *EA *TR

NHTSA ID
11175611
Incident
Jun 1, 2017
Filed Aug 22, 2018

AIR CONDITIONING IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AFTER SPEAKING TO SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS THEY ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME MALFUNCTION

NHTSA ID
11121681
Incident
Jul 14, 2018
Other / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Jan 16, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD E-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 55 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER (JACK SCHMITT CHEVROLET OF WOOD RIVER, 1870 E EDWARDSVILLE RD, WOOD RIVER, IL 62095) WERE AWARE THE TIRES WERE NOT FOR THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS SOLD TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. NO TIRE INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ID
11063035
Incident
Oct 17, 2017
Mileage
67,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 13, 2015

SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF HEAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10705377
Incident
Jun 8, 2013
Mileage
98,000 mi
SteeringSuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Oct 1, 2014

BOTH FRONT STEER TIRES SHOWING SEVERE POSITIVE CAMBER, CAUSING A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE TO STEER THE PASSENGER VEHICLE (SHUTTLE BUS) AND EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR FOR A LOW NUMBER OF MILES. FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED WITH SHIMS INSTALLED TO CORRECT THE SEVERE POSITIVE CAMBER CONDITION. FORD ABSOLVED ITSELF TO PAY FOR THE WORK UNDER THEIR WARRANTY PROGRAM, POINTING THE FINGER AT THEIR PARTNER/VENDOR STARCRAFT WHO INSTALLS THE SHUTTLE BUS CHASSIS IN TERMS OF THE ENGINEERING DESIGN OF THIS PROBLEM. COMPLAINED TO THE PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF FORD FOR RESOLUTION AFTER A POOR SATISFACTORY RESPONSE TO THE ISSUE FROM THEIR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE CUSTOMER SERVICE UNIT. FROM THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF FORD, "WE STAND BEHIND THE DECISION OF OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE COMMERCIAL UNIT AND DEALER DIEHL FORD OF BELLINGHAM, WA." VERY UNSAFE SITUATION, AND VERY CLEARLY A FORD ENGINEERING ISSUE. FORD ENGINEERING PROVIDES THE SPECS FOR CHASSIS USAGE TO THEIR VENDOR STARCRAFT. FORD SELLS THE SHUTTLE BUS VEHICLES DIRECTLY TO THE CONSUMER, ASSUMING ALL LIABILITY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10640647
Incident
Sep 24, 2014
Mileage
8,429 mi
BrakesOther / unspecifiedSuspension+1 more
Filed Jun 30, 2014

I AM OWNER OF JWD DELIVERY, A FEDEX HOME DELIVERY CONTRACTOR, I HAVE 4 OF THE SAME TRUCKS 2012/2013 AND THERE ARE MANY OTHERS IN OUR TERMINAL. THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR OF FRONT TIRES. THE TIRES FAIL INSPECTION AFTER 5-7K MILES. OVER $8K IN TIRES ON FOUR TRUCKS IN LESS THAN A YEAR AND A HALF. TRUCKS HAVE BETWEEN 25K AND 50K MILES ON THEM.HAD A FORD ENGINEER LOOK AT THEM AND THE BODY COMPANY DID NOT FACTOR IN THE WEIGHT AND DISTRIBUTION WHEN THEY BUT THIS BODY ON THIS CHASIS. THE ENGINEER STATED THESE TRUCKS ARE DANGEROUS AND CAN FLIP OVER OR FAIL TO STOP DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THE BODY COMPANY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM OR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THESE NEED TO BE FIXED, REPLACED, OR TAKEN OF THE ROAD AS DANGEROUS. I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS MYSELF FOR OVER A YEAR TO GET FIX AND FIND THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET INJURED OR KILLED. I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT GETTING THEM RECALLED, THAT IS THE ONLY WAY THE BODY COMPANY WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. UTILIMASTERS SOLUTION IS TO CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE TIRES AND DO FRONT END ALIGNMENTS EACH TIME WHICH I HAD INITIALLY TRIED AND THE TIRE WEAR IS NO BETTER. BASICALLY THE WEIGHT OF THE PACKAGES IS ON THE SHELVES ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BODY AND THE TRUCKS ARE DRIVING ON THE TIRE EDGES NOT FLUSH TO THE ROAD. I CAN DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10607115
Incident
Jun 1, 2013
Mileage
5,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SSM 54601

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY

Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k

SSM 53040

While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.

SSM 52476

EQUIPMENT

All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is lost, follow these steps to recover the code. Dealer Key Code access is granted through the Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES); dealership management can authorize users. The authorized user must go to FMCDealer.com > Parts and Service > Parts Product Line Information > Keys/Entry Devices > Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access. Follow the instructions on the screen to obtain the master code for the accessory keypad.

SSM 51854

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Various 2013-2019 vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P264F after powertrain control module (PCM) replacement. This DTC indicates that the engine serial number (ESN) must be programmed into the PCM. The ESN is located on PTS > Diagnostics tab > HVBoM > Features > Engine Serial Number. Once the ESN is obtained from the historical vehicle bill of materials (HvBOM), it can be programmed into the PCM using the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool. Navigate to the toolbox tab> powertrain menu> Service Functions> ESN.

SSM 51849

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Various 2013-2019 vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P264F after powertrain control module (PCM) replacement. This DTC indicates that the engine serial number (ESN) must be programmed into the PCM. The ESN is located on PTS> OASIS> Features> Engine Serial Number. Once the ESN is obtained from the historical vehicle bill of materials (HvBOM), it can be programmed into the PCM using the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool. Navigate to the toolbox tab> powertrain menu> Service Functions> ESN.

SSM 48130

VISIBILITY; VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in some car wash solutions as a cleaning agent. Hydrofluoric acid can attack the glass and cause visual distortion and/or discoloration on the outer surface which cannot be removed by further cleaning. If this type of distortion is found, inspect the area of the glass that is covered by the cowl and/or molding. The portion of glass that is covered by the cowl or molding will not be affected by the acid. Hydrofluoric acid damage is not a defect in material or workmanship and is not a warrantable condition.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford E350 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010—
2026010—
2025110—
2024210—
2023220—
2022143155.3
2021206155.5
2020200—
2019300—
2018340—
2017134057.6
2016530—
2015721—
20141711052.9
2013Viewing139048.3
20121612047.2
20111920053.7
20101718047.2
20091027054.5
20083932259.3
20071835259.8
20065339261.5
20055516256.3
20044611358.2
2003468361.7
2002535355.4
2001524457.0
2000598461.9
1999729563.5
1998638457.4
1997795463.4
1996503150.3
1995693052.9
1994515158.7
1993433158.2
1992413359.5
1991191654.3
1990232754.9
1989263659.2
1988111461.7
19871485369.3
198611115774.6
198521056—
198441256—
19835854—
1982032—
1981022—
1980012—
1979032—
1978052—
1977011—
1976011—
1975041—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.