2004 Ford E-350 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other E-350 years
- Far more complaints than other years 11th of 33 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 9 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Ford E-350. That ranks 11th out of 33 E-350 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is fuel system, diesel (13 complaints, 28%), typically at around 50,800 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 18 injuries. There are 9 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.
- 46owner complaints
- 9safety recalls
- 3NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2004 Ford E-350 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Diesel | 13 | 28% | 50,800 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 10 | 22% | 34,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 5 | 11% | 63,500 | — | — |
| Power Train | 5 | 11% | 1,350 | — | — |
| Equipment | 4 | 9% | 28,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 9% | 60,010 | — | — |
| Tires | 4 | 9% | 53,419 | — | — |
| Engine | 3 | 7% | 65,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 7% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 7% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 2 | 4% | 88,938 | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 2 | 4% | 20 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 4% | 58,500 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 4% | 350 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 4% | 7,750 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 2% | 20 | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 2% | 200 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 2% | 100 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2004 Ford E-350 recalls (9)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: Van conversions is recalling 52 my 2004-2007 ford e-150, e-250 e-350 and my 2006 gm savanna 3500 vans built on ford and gm chassis and equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift system accessible for motor vehicles," the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.
Risk: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
Fix: Van conversions is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or van conversions at 610-837-0707.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: Van conversions is recalling 74 my 2004-2007 ford e-150, e-250 e-350 and my 2006 gm savanna 3500 vans built on ford and gm chassis and equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Fix: Van conversions is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or van conversions at 610-837-0707.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: Mobilityworks is recalling 224 my 2007-2008 ford e150, my 2006-2008 e250, my 2004-2007 e350, my 2006 e450, my 2005-2007 chevrolet 2500, my 2007 chevrolet 1500, and my 2006 dodge 2500 vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Fix: Mobilityworks is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or mobility works at 1-800-769-8267.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: Mobilityworks is recalling 133 my 2005-2006 ford e250, my 2000, 2004-2006 e350, my 2000, 2005 e450, my 2005-2006 gmc 2500, gmc 3500, and my 2006 dodge 2500 vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift systems for motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.
Risk: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
Fix: Mobilityworks is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or mobilityworks at 1-800-769-8267.
Electrical system:wiring
Problem: Certain pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans equipped with 6.0l diesel engines may experience stalling without warning while driving and may or may not restart.
Risk: Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will upgrade the fuel injection control module (ficm) wire harness or replaced, and/or have a new injection control pressure (icp)) sensor connector installed free of charge. The recall began on july 22, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: On certain vans built on ford e250/e350 chassis and equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as necessary. Sure-lok is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Owners should contact sure-lock at 1-908-231-1804 or accubuilt at 419-222-1501.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: On certain vans equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as necessary. Sure-lok will handle the repairs for this campaign. Owners should contact sure-lock at 1-908-231-1804 or mobilityworks at 1-800-769-8267.
Electrical system:wiring
Problem: On certain vans, a diode in the anti-lock braking system (abs) module may experience an electrical short.
Risk: The electrical short may cause an abs malfunction that would illuminate the abs warning light, or the module may overheat resulting in a burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition may occur while the vehicle is being driven or unattended.
Fix: Dealers will install a new fuse in the abs circuit and install a heat shield over the abs module. The recall began on october 15, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also ford is extending the limited warranty (for a one time replacement) of the abs module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until september 30, 2005.
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: On certain vans, the air filter element material process resulted in an air filter paper element that can smolder or burn. This change in filter paper composition combined with the configuration of the air induction system, may allow hot carbon particles to contact the air filter element during certain driving conditions that create hot particles.
Risk: These hot particles may ignite the air filter element with the potential for air induction system damage or underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the air filter element. The recall began september 27, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also ford is extending the limited warranty (for a one time replacement) of the abs module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until september 30, 2005.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- HVAC Switch Failures (EA10003) — opened Apr 13, 2010, closed Mar 5, 2012.
- HVAC Switch Failures (PE09055) — opened Dec 7, 2009, closed Apr 21, 2010.
- Spark plug ejection from cylinder head (DP05005) — opened Sep 22, 2005, closed Jan 4, 2006.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
At 68,450 miles, several issues occurred: 1) oil pressure switch blew out of the housing, 2) oil was visible in coolant, 3) oil was leaking from engine, 4) idle vacillated up and down w/o any action on part of the user. Took van to dealer, who claimed to have repaired these items. Inspection of the…
All gauges stop working when it rains but starts and runs ok. Power windows do not work when it rains but starts and runs ok.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford e-350. While driving approximately 25 mph, the front air bags deployed without warning. The contact sustained burns on both forearms, but did not receive medical attention. There was no police report filed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford e-350. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled and was towed to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the fuel injector, fuel tank, fuel pump, and the engine needed to be replaced. The technician also stated that the silver coating in the fuel tank was from one…
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford e-350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, he noticed smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. Both technicians advised the contact that the egr cooler and the head…
Other Ford E-350 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 E-350 | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 E-350 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 E-350 | 2 | 1 |
| 2024 E-350 | 2 | 1 |
| 2023 E-350 | 2 | 2 |
| 2022 E-350 | 14 | 3 |
| 2021 E-350 | 22 | 6 |
| 2020 E-350 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 E-350 | 3 | 0 |
| 2018 E-350 | 3 | 4 |
| 2017 E-350 | 13 | 4 |
| 2016 E-350 | 5 | 3 |
| 2015 E-350 | 7 | 2 |
| 2014 E-350 | 17 | 11 |
| 2013 E-350 | 13 | 9 |
| 2012 E-350 | 16 | 12 |
| 2011 E-350 | 19 | 18 |
| 2010 E-350 | 17 | 16 |
| 2009 E-350 | 10 | 25 |
| 2008 E-350 | 39 | 30 |
| 2007 E-350 | 18 | 33 |
| 2006 E-350 | 53 | 37 |
| 2005 E-350 | 55 | 14 |
| 2004 | 46 | 9 |
| 2003 E-350 | 46 | 7 |
| 2002 E-350 | 53 | 5 |
| 2001 E-350 | 52 | 4 |
| 2000 E-350 | 59 | 8 |
| 1999 E-350 | 72 | 9 |
| 1998 E-350 | 63 | 8 |
| 1997 E-350 | 79 | 5 |
| 1996 E-350 | 50 | 3 |
| 1995 E-350 | 69 | 3 |
See all Ford E-350 problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford E-350?
Owners most often report fuel system, diesel, engine and engine cooling, electrical system problems. The top one, fuel system, diesel, accounts for 13 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Ford E-350?
Yes, 9 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2004 Ford E-350 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other E-350 model years, the 2004 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.