2016 Ford E-350 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (2) · Structure (1) · Service Brakes (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford E-350 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
Seats 2019-03-18 · campaign 19V205000 · 471 vehicles
Defect: Quality Van Sales, Inc. (Quality Van) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit and E-350 vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seat back cushions. The seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Quality Van will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began March 21, 2019. Owners may contact Quality Van customer service at 1-800-408-8550.
Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control 2016-01-28 · campaign 16V046000 · 75 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 E-350 and E-450 vehicles manufactured November 3, 2014, to December 10, 2015 and equipped with a 6.8L engine and an optional trailer brake controller. The trailer braking system may fail, increasing the distance needed to stop the vehicle.
Risk: If the vehicle unexpectedly needs an extended braking distance, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S01. Note: This recall supersedes 15V-710. Any vehicle previously repaired under 15V-710 will need to be repaired again.
Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control 2015-10-27 · campaign 15V710000 · 65 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 E-350 and E-450 vehicles manufactured November 3, 2014, to September 1, 2015, and equipped with a 6.8L engine and an optional trailer brake controller. In the affected vehicles, the trailer brake controller may not actuate the trailer brakes.
Risk: If the trailer brakes are not activated when the towing vehicle is slowing down, the distance needed to stop the vehicle may be lengthened, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S32.
Service bulletins (27)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-02-24 · SSM 54601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Unknown Or Other 2024-10-10 · SSM 53040 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Equipment 2024-04-24 · SSM 52476 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 vehicle s owner during initial delivery. unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad,
Power Train 2024-03-01 · SSM 52314 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
during service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical. incorrect torque may allow the bolt to loosen resulting in the timing gear breaking and engine damage. replacement of the bolt
Power Train:manual Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2023-08-10 · SSM 51854 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 > diagn
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2023-08-08 · SSM 51849 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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>
Showing the 6 most recent of 27 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-08-03 · Power Train · 100,000 mi“ 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 manufacture…”
2019-03-27 · Structure“the econoline van for the exhaust odor, when we first tested the vehicle in the shop with the vehicle running (no exhaust hose on the tailpipe) the co detector read 49 ppm after about 15 minutes. when we tested the second time, the vehicle was in the same spot but a exhaust hose run from the tailpipe to outside the shop and the co detector read 9 p…”
2018-03-20 · Seats · 2,833 mi“vehicle is upfiitted by morgan olson with seats by freedman seating. the pin that holds the seat pedestal to the seat base falls out and the seat falls to its lowest position without warning. this has happened to several of our fleet trucks. the detent ball spring is to weak. we have modified 2 of our vehicles by drilling out the ball and installin…”
2018-03-02 · Service Brakes · 4,000 mi“the parking brake cable is routed through the left front wheel area in such a way that the tire contacts it during normal steering/suspension movements and is chaffing the cable.…”
2018-03-02 · Power Train · 4,000 mi“the automatic transmission shifter control cable contacts the parking brake pedal assembly, therefore when applying/releasing the parking brake the cable is getting chaffed.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.