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2005 Ford E-350Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 55 owner complaints about the 2005 Ford E-350, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 14 safety recalls.

2005 Ford E-350
50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the E-350 median · #9 of 32 years by complaints
Safety recalls14Free fix at dealersOwner complaints554 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage20kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 3, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2005 Ford E-350 has problems

55 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system172
Engine and engine cooling160
Fuel system, diesel100
Service brakes, hydraulic51
Engine50
Equipment50
Power train51
Fuel/propulsion system40
Fuel system, gasoline31
3 other systems40

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

14 recalls

2005 Ford E-350 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Appliance: air conditioner

Recall 11V-131 · Feb 24, 2011 · 185 vehicles

Risk. IF SUFFICIENT ARCING OCCURS, THE FUSE HOLDER MAY MELT, AND MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY FLAME, SMOKE AND POTENTIAL FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 10 more recalls

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

2005 vs. every other E-350 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the E-350 median. How we score

'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2005 Ford E-350, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HVAC Switch FailuresEA10003 · closed Mar 5, 2012
    No recall
  2. HVAC Switch FailuresPE09055 · closed Apr 21, 2010
    No recall
In owners' words

What E-350 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD E-350. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE CONTROL MODULE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. UPON INSPECTION, THE…
Complaint 10913614 · Oct 4, 2016 · 90,000 miles
THIS BUS IS OWNED BY FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF GRANT, AL. ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO WE STARTED HAVING TIMES WHEN THE BUS WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. OUR MECHANIC HAS CHECKED IT FOUR DIFFERENT TLIMES, HOWEVER, EVERY TIME EXCEPT THIS TIME (5TH TIME) IT STARTED WHEN HE WENT TO CHECK IT. THIS TIME WE WERE TAKING…
Complaint 10553482 · Nov 22, 2013 · 30,000 miles
I HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE HAVING A SUDDEN MISS FROM THE ENGINE WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. SATURDAY THE SPARKPLUGS AND ONE COIL PACK WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEXT DRIVEN ON SUNDAY EVENING WHERE APPROX. 1/2 MILE FROM THE HOME THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT ANY POWER TO THE STEERING AND BRAKES.…
Complaint 10487385 · Dec 4, 2012 · 155,000 miles

Own a 2005 E-350?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.