72 of the
1,361 complaints filed about the Ford E-350
are about the transmission —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1994.
72
Complaints
5%
Share of all complaints
4
Crashes
2
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
The component that failed was the transmission system, specifically the CDF clutch cylinder, the torque converter, and the front support structure. The transmission was found to contain metal debris, burned clutch components, and damage to internal bushings and supports. 1. These parts were replaced under warranty by Central Ford in South Gate, CA. I do not have possession of the damaged components, and I cannot confirm whether they remain available for inspection. 2. The failure resulted in loss of power while driving — particularly during gear shifts into 10th gear at highway speeds. The truck also began to shudder violently, and a “Powertrain Malfunction / Power Reduced” message appeared on the dash. This put me and others at risk, especially in high-speed traffic where sudden deceleration or power loss can lead to collisions, particularly for heavy-duty trucks like mine that are often used for towing or hauling. 3. Yes, The issue was diagnosed, reproduced, and confirmed by Central Ford. A full teardown of the transmission confirmed internal damage including: A shifted and burned CDF clutch cylinder Torque converter damage Front support wear and metal transfer Metal debris inside the transmission All affected components were replaced, and the transmission was reassembled and reinstalled. The vehicle was inspected by a Ford-certified dealership (Central Ford). There was no involvement by police or insurance representatives, as the failure did not lead to a crash or claim. Yes. The vehicle displayed a “Powertrain Malfunction / Power Reduced” warning. This occurred in conjunction with loss of acceleration, shuddering, and hesitation when shifting into higher gears (particularly 10th). These symptoms appeared shortly before I brought the truck in for service on [XXX]. This failure happened at relatively low mileage for a heavy-duty truck that is used primarily for regular driving and light commercial use. I am concerned that this is part of a bro INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM
NHTSA complaint #11678544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carvana is attempting to sell this vehicle in Lehi, Utah. After speaking with the Ford dealership that worked on it for an “internal transmission repair” they told me the the vehicle’s engine is bad (full long block replacement is recommended and the dealership told me it’s dangerous) and needs a new engine. The previous owner was told this and then turned around and sold it to Carvana. I told Carvana this and they did nothing about it and it is still for sale. Please protect anyone looking to purchase this vehicle as it is not safe.
NHTSA complaint #11612007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hello, when I start my vehicle and leave it in park and idle the transmission makes a mechanical clicking noise. I went under the truck to try to find the source of the noise. When I was underneath I found that when the clicking noise is active the drive line coming out the rear of the transmission is trying to turn. It is rocking back and forth. This is what the clicking noise is. I tried it with the vehicle in Neutral also. Same result. The transmission is sending power to the driveline while in park and neutral. I have a video I can submit but this form won’t let me include a video. If you response to me through email I will attach it there
NHTSA complaint #11596431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Van does not always engage in reverse. Slips into neutral instead and rolls. Takes several attempts, sometimes over the course of 10+ minutes to get the transmission to engage into reverse. Problem has been intermittent over the past 30 days. May be related to NSTSA Recall 23V625 although not as described in notice 23S54
NHTSA complaint #11553422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford E-350. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, after a traffic stop, the transmission was slipping out of gear and would shift to a higher gear very rough. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven back to the residence and turned off and restarted and shifted into reverse(R) however, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was shifted into (D) and operated as needed. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19S20 - Transmission Coast Clutch Cylinder and One-Way Clutch Replacement (Power Train). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11539911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford E-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to Ford Campaign Number:19B40 (Coast Clutch Cylinder and One-Way Clutch Replacement). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11536278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car was put into Park. The driver got out to check the position of the vehicle in the parking space. While looking at the passenger side of the RV, the vehicle began to power in reverse. It knocked over and injured the driver and ran into a fence. The passenger reached over to stop the vehicle just before it ran into two other people.
NHTSA complaint #11532627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns 2010 Ford E-350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the transmission clutch plate. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving uphill, the vehicle would lose power while in 3rd and 4th gears. There was no further information provided. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #11513914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2018 FORD E-350. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE INSTEAD ACCELERATE FORWARD WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO AN EMBANKMENT, DID NOT COLLIDE OR HIT ANYTHING, NO FRONT END DAMAGE, HOWEVER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DUE TO NO COLLISION, A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED(BR-19-13326). THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED A FRACTURED BACK. THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP AND THEN TO A DEALER(TRI-LAKES MOTORS 180 STATE HIGHWAY F, BRANSON, MO 65616 417-334-7543). VIN NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE TO SEARCH IF THERE WAS A RECALL PLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,200. *BF
NHTSA complaint #11254747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD E-350. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V432000 (POWER TRAIN) WAS ISSUED FOR THE VEHICLE YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT CALLED GALPIN FORD (15505 ROSCOE BLVD, NORTH HILLS, CA 91343, 818-787-3800) AND WAS INFORMED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
NHTSA complaint #11242788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SCHOOL BUS WAS STOPPED AT A RAILROAD GRADE CROSSING, TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE, WHEN DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE SCHOOL BUS FORWARD IT WOULD NOT MOVE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN ANY FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR. SCHOOL BUS WAS TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #11166090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD E-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ABOUT TO DRIVE OF, A THUD OR CLUNK WAS HEARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE BARBER FORD VENTURA DEALER (805-691-8436, 3440 MAIN ST, VENTURA CA 93003) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A "SLIP YOKE" IN THE DRIVE SHAFT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 19,500.
NHTSA complaint #11144229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED TWICE IN SEPTEMBER 2018. ONCE WHILE IN REVERSE; THE OTHER WHILE IN DRIVE. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY OCCURRED. THIS IS A NEW VEHICLE. THE TRUCK WAS STATIONARY AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE IN DRIVE. I WAS SLOWLY BACKING UP IN A PARKING LOT, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE IN REVERSE.
NHTSA complaint #11132654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS IS A SCHOOL BUS CARRYING STUDENTS WITH 29956 MILES. WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION THE BUS WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO SELECT DIFFERENT GEARS FROM THE DRIVE GEAR, 3,2,1 AND REVERSE. THE SCHOOL BUS WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. ANOTHER BUS WAS DISPATCHED AND STUDENTS TRANSFERRED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. FORD FOUND THAT THE COAST CLUTCH SPRING AND SNAP RING BROKEN. THIS IS THE 3RD BUS WE OWN THAT HAS HAD THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11102981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS MAKING A 3 POINT TURN, AND WHEN I PUT THE TRUCK INTO REVERSE IT JUMPED FORWARD INSTEAD OF GOING BACKWARD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STRIKE POWER POLE CABLES.
NHTSA complaint #11083591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CONTROL CABLE CONTACTS THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY, THEREFORE WHEN APPLYING/RELEASING THE PARKING BRAKE THE CABLE IS GETTING CHAFFED.
NHTSA complaint #11075773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE PLANETARY GEARS IN OUR TRANSMISSION HAVE FAILED. I DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A FORD RECALL SPECIFICALLY FOR VANS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED IN OHIO PLANT DURING 2011 AND 2012 BECAUSE OF DEFECTS IN THE PLANETARY GEARS WHICH CAUSE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. OUR VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CASE, BUT IT CLEARLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN. WE ARE SEEKING HELP TO GET FORD TO EXTEND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE OUR VAN.
NHTSA complaint #11024577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD E-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE SERVICE MAINTENANCE AND AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS AND ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE INCORRECT TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
NHTSA complaint #10810678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.