2005 Ford E-350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
55 owner complaints analyzed
12 distinct recall campaigns
67,294 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 43 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 55 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 14 | 25.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 23.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 13 | 23.6% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 12.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.6% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 3.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 11 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 10 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 4 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 4 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 11; Fuel System, Diesel: 10; Electrical System: 6; Engine: 5; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 4; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 4; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 3
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 13 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2005: 7; 2006: 13; 2007: 4; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 9; 2011: 3; 2012: 3; 2013: 5; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2020: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 13 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10163095 · 2006-07-21 (July 21, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH ON 07/12/06. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY THE DEALER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP FROM THE DEALER ON 07/21/06, A BAD SMELL BEGAN ESCAPING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR SYSTEM SEIZED AND ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,780 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10166349 · 2006-08-23 (August 23, 2006)
THE AGENCY FOR COMMUNITY TRANSIT PROVIDES SERVICES FOR MADISON COUNTY MASS TRANSIT DISTRICT WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN THE MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS AND METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS, MO. AREA. WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 48 FORD E450 VAN CUTAWAY CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH TURTLE TOP BUS BODIES, ALL EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES. BUSES ARE 2004 & 2005 MODEL YEARS. COKING (UN-COMBUSTION) DEPOSITS FORM ON THE EGR VALVE CAUSING DRIVABILITY ISSUES SUCH AS LACK OF POWER, SURGES, AND STALLING. THIS CONDITION IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS…
Owner-reported narrative. 28,305 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166349 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10131426 · 2005-08-03 (August 3, 2005)
2005 FORD E-350 AMBULANCE HAD A TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING TO A 911 CALL. THE FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER DIAGNOSED AN OIL PUMP FAILURE AS THE CAUSE AND REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS COMPLIANT #2 OF 6. ALL OF THE 2005 FORD AMBULANCES WE PURCHASED HAVE SUFFERED TOTAL ENGINE FAILURES FROM EITHER THE OIL PUMPS OR THE WIRING HARNESS SYSTEMS. FORD IS UNWILLING TO REPLACE THESE PARTS ON THE OTHER UNITS UNTIL THEY FAIL. THEY ARE PLACING NUMEROUS LIVES IN EXTREME JEOPARDY AND REFUSE TO ADMIT THERE ARE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE 6.0 L…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10131426 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10131431 · 2005-08-03 (August 3, 2005)
2005 FORD E-350 AMBULANCE HAD A TOTAL AC SYSTEM FAILURE THE FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE AND REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS COMPLIANT #3 OF 6. ALL OF THE 2005 FORD AMBULANCES WE PURCHASED HAVE SUFFERED MAJOR SYSTEM FAILURES FROM EITHER THE OIL PUMPS OR THE WIRING HARNESS SYSTEMS, AND SEVERAL HAVE HAD AC PROBLEMS AS WELL. FORD IS UNWILLING TO REPLACE THESE PARTS ON THE OTHER UNITS UNTIL THEY FAIL. THEY ARE PLACING NUMEROUS LIVES IN EXTREME JEOPARDY AND REFUSE TO ADMIT THERE ARE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE 6.0 L DIESEL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10131431 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10211546 · 2007-12-12 (December 12, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ECONOLINE E350. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY. THE FORD DEALER AND MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE INTERIOR OF THE FUEL TANK HAD DELAMINATED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO LOSE POWER. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE THREE YEAR, 36,000 MILE WARRANTY OR UNDER A RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 35,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10211546 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10218289 · 2008-02-08 (February 8, 2008)
2005 FORD E350 WITH SEVERAL PROBLEMS. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS. ENGINE WOULD NOT START, FUEL LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, FUEL LEAKING FROM THE INJECTORS AND FUEL RAIL LEAK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *KB THE FUEL PUMP ALSO FAILED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 31,681 miles reported. Look up ODI 10218289 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10159501 · 2006-06-10 (June 10, 2006)
WHILE ON A TRIP TO NC THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP ON MY 2005 E-350 DIESEL VAN FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. LUCKILY I HAD SLOWED DOWN TO GET OFF AN EXIT BUT WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP THEY WERE HARD AND WOULD NOT STOP. I WAS PULLING A TRAILER AT THE TIME. I HAD TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT 70+ MILES PER HOUR AND HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. THERE WAS NO DASH LIGHTS OR ALARMS THAT CAME ON PREVIOUS TO THE FAILURE. MY VAN ONLY HAS 113000 MILES ON IT, (I TRAVEL A LOT). MOST OF THE MILES ARE HIG…
Owner-reported narrative. 113,033 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159501 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10198070 · 2007-07-27 (July 27, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD E-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THREE OCCASIONS. ON THE FIRST OCCASION, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. ON THE SECOND OCCASION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CAM SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE STALLED THE FOLLOWING DAY AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER ONCE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE STARTED THE FOLLOWING DAY WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE DEALER AS OF JULY 27, 2007. THE DEALER STATED THAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 101,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10198070 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10295911 · 2009-12-15 (December 15, 2009)
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. I WAS APPROX. 200 MILES FROM HOME DRIVING ON HWY 71 N IN AR,.STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, AND MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE NO WARNING LIGHTS HAD CAME ON, NO LOSS OF POWER, NOISES OF ANY KIND. I BOUGHT THIS FOR A FAMILY VEHICLE. I HAVE SINCE TALKED WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING WITH THE FORD FREESTARS.*TR
Owner-reported narrative. 77,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10295911 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10318044 · 2010-03-09 (March 9, 2010)
SILVER FLAKES IN FUEL FILTERS CAUSED BY KNOWN DELAMINATION OF FUEL TANK CAUSING FAILURE OF FUEL PUMP AND TRANSMISSION TROUBLE. FORD HAD KNOWN OF PROBLEM FOR OVER 4 YEARS AND HAS NOT MADE IT KNOW TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. REQUEST RECALL! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 132,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10318044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10487385 · 2012-12-04 (December 4, 2012)
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. INSTRUMENTS LIGHTS WERE STILL WORKING BUT DROPPED TO THE OFF POSITION. I OPENED THE HOOD AND SMELLED ELECTRICAL FUMES, NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG, I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY WITH A PAIR OF CHANNELOCKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME AND I BEGAN TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 155,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10487385 at NHTSA ↗