2021 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 2021 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
- Engine1139.3%
- Brakes725.0%
- Steering725.0%
- Driver assistance13.6%
- Fuel system13.6%
- Other / unspecified13.6%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Engine misfire on a 2021 Ford E-350 cutaway, 7.3L V8, used for parcel delivery. The vehicle was delivered to Ford of Spartanburg (Ford dealership) for diagnosis. The vehicle is still out of service. Ford's diagnosis, Repair Order 593079, June 26, 2026: "WILL NEED TO REPLACE ALL SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, WILL ALSO NEED TO REPLACED ALL COILS DUE TO MISFIRES ON ALMOST EVERY CYLINDER." The Ford service advisor wrote the same day: "The engine also has a misfire that is unrelated to the transmission concern." Ford quoted $4,376.35 for the ignition components and wrote: "AFTER REPAIRING TRANSMISSION WILL NEED TO DIAGNOSE ALL OTHER CONCERNS WITH VEHICLE, CANNOT DIAG ANYTHING AT MOMENT DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE." Ford has not completed the engine diagnosis; on July 27, 2026 it advised against a compression test and offered one at $920.00. This is the second engine failure on this VIN. In January 2024 at 103,177 miles, the same Ford dealership diagnosed "Found a misfire and low compression on cylinder 3, ordered engine and replaced the engine with new intake gaskets, exhaust manifold gaskets, torque converter nuts, found the reinforcement cracked and replaced it" and installed a Ford service engine, part LC3Z-6006-B (Invoice 551352C; I paid $10,000.00). That Ford replacement engine is the one now misfiring, after at least 63,580 miles. Note on mileage: Ford's RO 593079 records 103,778 miles; Ford's own January 2024 invoice recorded 103,177 and independent records show 166,757 on January 12, 2026 and 169,140 on February 4, 2026. The Ford RO figure is not an actual reading. The same 7.3L engine has failed on nine vehicles in this fleet; NHTSA holds VOQ 11582566, 11582592, 11582598, 11582601, 11582604 and ODI 11714692, 11714694, and NHTSA ODI (Mr. J. Williams) has the complete record as of September 6, 2026. North Carolina DOJ Consumer Protection File No. 2026-180591 is open on the same matter.
Engine failure on a 2021 Ford E-350 cutaway, 7.3L V8, used for parcel delivery. The vehicle was taken out of service and has not run since. Two diagnoses, both in writing. ACME Mobile Service, July 27, 2026, at 152,760 miles: "Found the #5 cylinder is completely disabled and dropped out. Truck will need a new motor." Ford of Spartanburg (Ford dealership), Repair Order 595835, August 25, 2026: "FOUND ENGINE IS KNOCKING, WILL NEED TO REPLACE MOTOR." Ford quoted $16,000.82 for a long-block replacement. The engine is available for inspection. This is the second engine failure on this VIN. In March 2023 at 83,575 miles the engine was rebuilt with new Ford parts (camshaft, sixteen lifters, rocker arms, cylinder heads) after a camshaft and lifter failure. On the day the rebuild was completed the shop recorded "03/31/2023- NEW ENGINE FAILED. ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND HAD NOISE COMING FROM TOP END." and Ford replaced the complete engine under warranty in April 2023 (Ford claim CAS-42271539-G0F3ZF). That Ford replacement engine is the one that has now failed, after 69,185 miles. Ford's own repair order of August 25, 2026 lists Safety Recalls 20S73 and 24S07 for this VIN at $0.00, i.e. not performed, while the vehicle sat at the Ford dealership. Ford Customer Experience declined assistance on August 25, August 28 and September 9, 2026 and closed the case. The same 7.3L engine has failed on nine vehicles in this fleet; NHTSA already holds VOQ 11582566, 11582592, 11582598, 11582601, 11582604 and ODI 11714692, 11714694 on those, and NHTSA ODI (Mr. J. Williams) has the complete vehicle-by-vehicle record as of September 6, 2026. North Carolina DOJ Consumer Protection File No. 2026-180591 is open on the same matter.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
See attached document for complaint.
After hitting a very rough patch of interstate, our steering became very difficult. The driver thought that maybe we had a low tire, so looked for a place to pull over. We crested a hill, and there was an exit with a truck stop. As we attempted to slow for the exit, the driver discovered we had no brakes or power steering. Driver used the brakes on the trailer we were towing to slow us and bring us to a stop. Checked the brake fluid reservoir. It was empty. Bought more, but as soon as the pedal was pushed, it was gone. We were towed to a repair shop, and they discovered the high pressure line on the Hydroboost brake system had separated. The repair shop was able to find a replacement from Ford Motor Co., and repaired our motorhome. We had this exact component inspected 2 years ago when Ford issued an inspection report. We passed. This incident happened 2500 miles from home. When we arrived home, there was a letter from Ford (24N03) stating they were extending the "warranty" period on the high pressure line.
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
See attached document for complaint.
After hitting a very rough patch of interstate, our steering became very difficult. The driver thought that maybe we had a low tire, so looked for a place to pull over. We crested a hill, and there was an exit with a truck stop. As we attempted to slow for the exit, the driver discovered we had no brakes or power steering. Driver used the brakes on the trailer we were towing to slow us and bring us to a stop. Checked the brake fluid reservoir. It was empty. Bought more, but as soon as the pedal was pushed, it was gone. We were towed to a repair shop, and they discovered the high pressure line on the Hydroboost brake system had separated. The repair shop was able to find a replacement from Ford Motor Co., and repaired our motorhome. We had this exact component inspected 2 years ago when Ford issued an inspection report. We passed. This incident happened 2500 miles from home. When we arrived home, there was a letter from Ford (24N03) stating they were extending the "warranty" period on the high pressure line.
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
The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-350. The contact stated while driving at various speeds in windy conditions, the “Service Advance-trac” warning message was displayed on the instrument panel. Soon after the initial message was displayed, the Traction Control, Pre-Collision Assist, Cruise Control, and the Hill Start Assist messages also all appeared on the instrument panel. The contact called and made an appointment with the local dealer however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,500.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-350. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the power steering and brakes became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with loosened brake line fittings and an unknown fluid leak. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V013000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 13,667.
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
The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-350. The contact stated while driving at various speeds in windy conditions, the “Service Advance-trac” warning message was displayed on the instrument panel. Soon after the initial message was displayed, the Traction Control, Pre-Collision Assist, Cruise Control, and the Hill Start Assist messages also all appeared on the instrument panel. The contact called and made an appointment with the local dealer however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,500.
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 .