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U.S. public vehicle records

2021 Ford E-350: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

20 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

12,234 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 20 complaints (45.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior735.0%
Braking behavior630.0%
Electrical and battery issues15.0%

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.

Engine
9
Steering
6
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
5
Service Brakes
2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist
2
Unknown Or Other
2
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
1
Fuel System, Diesel
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine9
Steering6
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Service Brakes2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist2
Unknown Or Other2
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings1
Fuel System, Diesel1

Engine: 9; Steering: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 5; Service Brakes: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 1; Fuel System, Diesel: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
5
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0005
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 14 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.

2021
4
2022
3
2023
1
2024
7
2025
4
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20214
20223
20231
20247
20254
20261

2021: 4; 2022: 3; 2023: 1; 2024: 7; 2025: 4; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11420395 · 2021-06-10 (June 10, 2021)

The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-350. The contact stated while driving at various speeds in windy conditions, the “Service Advance-trac” warning message was displayed on the instrument panel. Soon after the initial message was displayed, the Traction Control, Pre-Collision Assist, Cruise Control, and the Hill Start Assist messages also all appeared on the instrument panel. The contact called and made an appointment with the local dealer however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11420395 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11421609 · 2021-06-21 (June 21, 2021)

The contact owns a 2021 FORD E-350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V795000 (ENGINE) however, the dealer informed the contact that only one part of the remedy, mentioned on the manufacturer's website, was available and not the other. The contact received the reprogramming (UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CALIBRATION) mentioned on the Ford website but not the other portion of the repair mentioned on the website (INSTALL ENGINE COVER INSULATION PATCHES IN THE RIGHT HAND AND LEFT HAND INNER LOWER CORNERS OF THE ENGINE COVE). …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11421609 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11424629 · 2021-07-13 (July 13, 2021)

The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-350. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the contact started to smell a burning odor coming from the RV. The contact attempted to pull over the RV to the side of the roadway however, the RV became difficult to steer. The contact pulled over the RV and checked underneath the RV and the front hood and noticed that power steering fluid had leaked all over the engine. The contact continued driving to his destination and then had the RV towed to an RV lot. The RV was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer wa…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11424629 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11427787 · 2021-08-04 (August 4, 2021)

The vehicle was very difficult to keep on the road. It wanted to go all over the road. It was a struggle to keep it in the lane. We took the RV back to the dealer we bought it from & they told us they didn't work on that & to find a Ford dealer that would work on it. After many phone calls I found a Ford dealer that would work on it. They told us nothing was wrong with the steering. It was engineered badly. They said the back end was too heavy & was making the front end light & "squirrely" & difficult to steer. They said it needed heavier sus…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11427787 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11459276 · 2022-04-01 (April 1, 2022)

The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-350. The contact's wife was driving into a parking lot at approximately 5 MPH when the power steering and the brakes failed. The contact's wife was able to safely stop the vehicle. The contact stated that his wife had not observed any warning lights being illuminated. The contact's wife examined the vehicle and noticed that there was red fluid puddling on the ground and a hissing sound coming from the driver’s side under the engine. The vehicle had not been towed to a dealer and had not been diagnosed or repaired.…

Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11459276 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11471820 · 2022-06-30 (June 30, 2022)

The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-350. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V089000 (Steering, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the vehicle was inspected. During the inspection, there were no leaks found. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH after the inspection, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact coasted the vehicle off the highway. The contact stated that while driving afterward and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as designed. The …

Owner-reported narrative. 10,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11471820 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11472024 · 2022-07-01 (July 1, 2022)

The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-350. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the power steering and brakes became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with loosened brake line fittings and an unknown fluid leak. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V013000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximat…

Owner-reported narrative. 13,667 miles reported. Look up ODI 11472024 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11530672 · 2023-07-06 (July 6, 2023)

The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-350. The stated while driving into the driveway, the vehicle made an abnormal popping sound. The vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the brake pedal became spongy. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a trail of fluid in the driveway. The contact stated that upon opening the hood, he noticed that the brake line had fractured, and brake fluid was leaking inside the engine compartment. There was no further information provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the conta…

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11530672 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

20V099000 · Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft

Reported: 2020-02-21 (February 21, 2020)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 F-550 and 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. The rear axle differential fluid may be below the minimum level, possibly resulting in a failure of the rear axle assembly and driveshaft separation.

Consequence: If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of drive, increasing the risk of crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur and increase the risk of injury or crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axle differential fluid level and adjust it, or replace the rear axle as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S09.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V175000 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | Electrical System:Wiring | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

Reported: 2020-03-23 (March 23, 2020)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. A wire harness in the rear of the vehicle may contact the vehicle frame, resulting in damage to the circuits that support the fuel pump and the anti-lock braking system (ABS).

Consequence: Damage to the fuel pump circuit in the wiring harness could result in an unexpected engine stall. Damage to the ABS wiring can lead to reduction of ABS functionality and a loss of roll stability control (RSC) functionality. These scenarios increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wire harness for damage. If no damage is found, dealers will apply anti-abrasion tape over the area and ensure clearance to surrounding components. If damage is found, dealers will splice in new wire and apply anti-abrasion tape over the area and ensure clearance to surrounding components. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S13.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V795000 · Engine

Reported: 2020-12-17 (December 17, 2020)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. The underside of the engine cover may have mispositioned insulation, allowing the cover to get excessively hot.

Consequence: Direct and continuous contact with certain areas of engine cover surface in the passenger compartment may increase the risk of injury or burns to the skin of the driver or front seat passenger.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine cover for gaps between the rubber seal and the insulation. If gaps are present, the dealer will install engine cover insulation patches in the right hand and left hand inner lower corners of the engine cover. The dealer will also update the powertrain calibration for heat management under elevated idle conditions should a vehicle be equipped with SEIC or BCP, free of charge. The recall began February 15, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S73.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V089000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections

Reported: 2022-02-16 (February 16, 2022)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 E-350 and E-450 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels. An inadequate connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake Hydroboost unit may result in a sudden loss of power steering fluid.

Consequence: A sudden loss of power steering fluid can result in a loss of power steering and power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the connection between the power steering lines and the Hydroboost unit, and replace the power steering lines, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 18, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S08.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
24V097000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections

Reported: 2024-02-09 (February 9, 2024)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 E-350 and E-450 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels. An inadequate connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake hydroboost unit may result in a sudden loss of power steering fluid.

Consequence: A sudden loss of power steering fluid can result in a loss of power steering and power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the power steering pressure line and the hydroboost jumper line, free of charge. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 22V-089 and owners will need to have the new remedy completed even if their vehicle was remedied under the prior recall. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 21, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S07.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
25V793000 · Engine

Reported: 2025-11-17 (November 17, 2025)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles that received an incomplete software update under recall 20V795. The engine cover may become excessively hot.

Consequence: Direct contact with certain areas of engine cover surface in the passenger compartment may increase the risk of injury or burns to the skin of the driver or front seat passenger.

Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain calibration for heat management under elevated idle conditions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC7. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 22, 2025.

NHTSA campaign record ↗