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FaultScore report

2011 Ford E-350 problems

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2011 Ford E-350 with NHTSA between 2011 and 2024. The largest single group is the tires. Across this model's run it ranks 18 of 26 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Ford E-350 All 2011 cars
C

FaultScore 46/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Ford E-350.

How this is worked out

The numbers

19

Complaints

4

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

67,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

18%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 20 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 31 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 20
Against the median year of the Ford E-350. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
21.1% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 31
18% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2011 compares with every other Ford E-350

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2011 Ford E-350

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Tires 4 21.1%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 3 15.8%

Median failure at 50,209 miles

Brakes 2 10.5%
Steering 2 10.5%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 54,000 mi

Airbags 2 10.5%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 53,193 mi

Other & Unspecified 1 5.3%
Stability & Traction Control 1 5.3%

Median failure at 101,091 miles

Wheels 1 5.3%
Body & Structure 1 5.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 53,193 mi

Electrical System 1 5.3%

Median failure at 166,270 miles

Engine & Cooling 1 5.3%

Median failure at 67,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 9.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 9.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 4 36.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 2 18.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 2 18.2%
150,000+ miles 1 9.1%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jun 2011 peak 3 Feb 2024

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Adna, WA Crash

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10643090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,193 miles Hampton, GA Crash

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10508153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,193 miles Hampton, GA Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

NHTSA complaint #10508153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,000 miles Cambridge, MA Crash

STEERING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10470665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Ridgway, PA

WHEELS

Unknown

NHTSA complaint #11573812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Monticello, AR

SERVICE BRAKES

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).

NHTSA complaint #11424341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Monticello, AR

SERVICE BRAKES

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.

NHTSA complaint #11424351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Milwaukee, WI

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #11320212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 101,091 miles SAN Juan, PR

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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

NHTSA complaint #11255895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 166,270 miles Sturgis, SD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11208576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,000 miles Welcome, MD

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11081136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Palmetto, GA

TIRES

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.

NHTSA complaint #10957801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles SLC, UT

STEERING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10906236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Adna, WA Crash

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10643090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Farmington, FL

TIRES

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.

NHTSA complaint #10626565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,209 miles Scotts Valley, CA

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION HAS COMPLETELY FAILED ALREADY.

NHTSA complaint #10595510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mckinleyville, CA

TIRES

CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEALERSHIP DECIDED NOT TO HONOR TIRE RECALL. *SMD ALL 6 TIRES WERE INSPECTED AND FOUND TO BE A PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED TO TRY ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT. HOWEVER, THE RETAILER STATED THEY WERE A SMALL BUSINESS, AND COULD NOT AFFORD TO HONOR THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER DECIDED TO PAY CASH FOR THE TIRES.

NHTSA complaint #10575584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glendale, AZ

TIRES

CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TIRES RECALL NOTICE AND SEEKS CORRECT REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ALL 4 OF THE TIRES FAILED, BEFORE HE RECEIVED THE RECALL. MICHELIN SENT HIM A CHECK FOR $ 139.90. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REIMBURSEMENT WAS INSUFFICIENT.

NHTSA complaint #10572484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Parrish, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA, INC STATING THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON TIRES. I TOOK MY MOTORHOME TO AUTONATION FORD IN BRADENTON, FL FOR REPLACEMENT SINCE MY TIRES MATCHED THE RECALL NUMBERS (LTX M/S LT 225/75 R16 115/112R B3JH AKEX 3310). I WAS TOLD BY THE FORD SERVICE PERSON THAT MY TIRES WERE OK, THAT THEY DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE AFFECTED DATED. I CALLED MICHELIN AND GAVE THEM THIS SAME INFORMATION AND WAS TOLD THAT MY TIRES WERE INDEED COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. (DOT PRODUCTION PERIODS 0210-2512) I HAVE SINCE CALLED TIRE KINGDOM AND AM WAITING FOR THE REPLACEMENT TIRES TO COME IN SO THAT THEY CAN BE REPLACED. I FEEL THAT THE FORD DEALER DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THE RECALL NOTICE, OR MAYBE THEY DO NOT WANT TO DO THE REPLACEMENT, BUT THIS CONSTITUTES A SERIOUS LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF TIRE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10568453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,193 miles Hampton, GA Crash

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10508153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,193 miles Hampton, GA Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

NHTSA complaint #10508153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,000 miles Cambridge, MA Crash

STEERING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10470665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,523 miles Tucker, GA

POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE JERKS INTO GEAR WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP, OR WHILE MOVING SLOWLY. VEHICLE WAS FALLING OUT OF THIRD GEAR AND REQUIRED CLUTCH REPLACEMENT. INTERMEDIATE CLUTCH SOLENOID REPLACEMENT. INTERMEDIATE CLUTCH PISTON NOT SEALING. REQUIRED TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL AFTER 8,500 MILES. AFTER SIX MONTHS AND 18,000 MILES, THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED WITH SEVERE SLIPPING OF TRANSMISSION AT LOW SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #10409792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.