Research · Vans, Cargo Type · 3 NHTSA variants

2011 Ford E-350Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 19 safety recalls and 19 owner complaints for the 2011 Ford E-350. Most complaints involve tires (4) and power train (3). The EPA rates it 11–13 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
11–13mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
19campaigns
Latest May 2016
Owner complaints
19
Top: tires
Fuel cost / yr
$4,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

19 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Equipment adaptive

Free remedy

New England Wheels (New England) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-250, E-350, and 2015 Ford Transit vans equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts by Ricon. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack. Additionally, the lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityReported May 24, 2016NHTSA 16V350000

Equipment adaptive

Free remedy

New England Wheels is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-250, and E-350 cargo vans modified to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts built by the Ricon Corporation. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityReported Nov 20, 2015NHTSA 15V779000

Equipment adaptive

Free remedy

Mobility Specialists, Inc. (Mobility Specialists) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-250, and E-350 vehicles modified to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack. Additionally, the affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityReported Nov 17, 2015NHTSA 15V763000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

19 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2011 – Feb 2024
  1. Tires4
  2. Power train3
  3. Service brakes2
  4. Steering2
  5. Air bags2
  6. Wheels1
  7. Engine1
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  9. Electrical system1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each E-350 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201119
201216
201313
201421
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Tires

4 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD E-350 EQUIPPED WITH B.F. GOODRICH TIRES, SIZE: LT 225/75R16. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BOUNCE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED AND NOTICED A BLISTER IN THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED AND THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY TEN MONTHS AGO DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 1, 2017TiresODI 10957801

Power train

3 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD E-350. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A METAL GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER THE SUBFRAME. THE GRINDING NOISE WAS ALSO PRESENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (WALDORF FORD, 2440 CRAIN HWY, WALDORF MD) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PLANETARY TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 23, 2018Power trainODI 11081136

Service brakes

2 reports
“Vehicle is not as described by VIN #, correctly. Vin describes as: 2011 Forest River Limited Edition Value Hauler. My vehicle is 2011 - E350 Ford Van, 12 passenger. The problem is with the brakes. Have had the brakes repaired 3 occasions, but the results is always the same. The brakes go completely end and have to be pumped to stop. I believe this is a manufacturing problem. [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 12, 2021Service brakesODI 11424341
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Vans, Cargo Type, Vans, Passenger Type
Engines
5.4L 8-cyl · 6.8L 10-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
E350 Van FFV
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121613$4,800684
E350 Wagon FFV
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
111513$4,800684
E350 Van
Auto 5-spd, 10 cyl, 6.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
101412$5,200741
E350 Wagon
Auto 5-spd, 10 cyl, 6.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
101311$5,650808
  • E350 Van FFV
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    12 city · 16 hwy · $4,800/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
  • E350 Wagon FFV
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    11 city · 15 hwy · $4,800/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
  • E350 Van
    Auto 5-spd, 10 cyl, 6.8 L
    10 city · 14 hwy · $5,200/yr
    12
    mpg comb.
  • E350 Wagon
    Auto 5-spd, 10 cyl, 6.8 L
    10 city · 13 hwy · $5,650/yr
    11
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Ford E-350 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 144Vehicle 711
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 E-350 questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Ford E-350 have?

19 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 Ford E-350 problems?

Owners filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are tires (4), power train (3), service brakes (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Ford E-350 get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Ford E-350 at 11–13 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026