Research · Vans, Cargo Type · 3 NHTSA variants

2013 Ford E-350Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints for the 2013 Ford E-350. Most complaints involve suspension (7) and tires (6). The EPA rates it 11–13 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
11–13mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest May 2016
Owner complaints
13
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$4,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

8 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

13 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2013 – Oct 2022
  1. Suspension7
  2. Tires6
  3. Wheels5
  4. Service brakes5
  5. Engine2
  6. Steering2
  7. Structure1
  8. Engine and engine cooling1
  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
1
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

Suspension

7 reports
“I purchased this lift kit based on multiple reviews including personal friends. After install, I have had to undergo four alignments with no resolution. Multiple mechanics have confirmed that the kit is defective. I have been in contact with the manufacturer but they have stopped responding to me. They freely admitted to my alignment shop and myself that they do not use any jigs or templates to build these kits. They are modifying stock I-beams which clearly and obviously dictate in forged letters to not modify. I have asked for a fix or resolution and WeldTech is no longer responding. I have initiated a chargeback on my card. This kit poses a significant safety risk in that it causes the vehicle to not track straight or true requiring constant correction. Even a momentary lapse in attention could result in crossing lanes or into shoulders or ditches putting the driver and occupants and other vehicles on the road at risk.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2022SuspensionODI 11479610

Tires

6 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD E-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 55 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER (JACK SCHMITT CHEVROLET OF WOOD RIVER, 1870 E EDWARDSVILLE RD, WOOD RIVER, IL 62095) WERE AWARE THE TIRES WERE NOT FOR THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS SOLD TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. NO TIRE INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. *TT *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2018Tires, WheelsODI 11063035

Wheels

5 reports
“I AM OWNER OF JWD DELIVERY, A FEDEX HOME DELIVERY CONTRACTOR, I HAVE 4 OF THE SAME TRUCKS 2012/2013 AND THERE ARE MANY OTHERS IN OUR TERMINAL. THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR OF FRONT TIRES. THE TIRES FAIL INSPECTION AFTER 5-7K MILES. OVER $8K IN TIRES ON FOUR TRUCKS IN LESS THAN A YEAR AND A HALF. TRUCKS HAVE BETWEEN 25K AND 50K MILES ON THEM.HAD A FORD ENGINEER LOOK AT THEM AND THE BODY COMPANY DID NOT FACTOR IN THE WEIGHT AND DISTRIBUTION WHEN THEY BUT THIS BODY ON THIS CHASIS. THE ENGINEER STATED THESE TRUCKS ARE DANGEROUS AND CAN FLIP OVER OR FAIL TO STOP DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THE BODY COMPANY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM OR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THESE NEED TO BE FIXED, REPLACED, OR TAKEN OF THE ROAD AS DANGEROUS. I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS MYSELF FOR OVER A YEAR TO GET FIX AND FIND THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET INJURED OR KILLED. I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT GETTING THEM RECALLED, THAT IS THE ONLY WAY THE BODY COMPANY WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. UTILIMASTERS SOLUTION IS TO CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE TIRES AND DO FRONT END ALIGNMENTS EACH TIME WHICH I HAD INITIALLY TRIED AND THE TIRE WEAR IS NO BETTER. BASICALLY THE WEIGHT OF…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2014Suspension, Tires, Wheels, Service brakesODI 10607105
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$4,800666
E350 Wagon FFV
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121513$4,800687
E350 Van
Auto 5-spd, 10 cyl, 6.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
101412$5,200755
E350 Wagon
Auto 5-spd, 10 cyl, 6.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
101411$5,650782
  • 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
    12 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 · 14 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

3 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2013 Ford E-350 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 7484Vehicle 7325Vehicle 7326
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

2013 E-350 questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Ford E-350 have?

8 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 2013 Ford E-350 problems?

Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (7), tires (6), wheels (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Ford E-350 get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Ford E-350 at 11–13 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026