BumperScan
Powered byNHTSA|EPA|Community Reports|Updated
HomeFordE-350Years to Avoid

Ford E-350 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Ford E-350 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
53
Years to Avoid
2006, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983
Best Years
2024, 2020, 2019, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975
2027
0 complaints1 recalls
2026
0 complaints1 recalls5 TSBs
2025
2 complaints1 recalls19 TSBs
2024Best Year
2 complaints1 recalls23 TSBs
2023
4 complaints2 recalls29 TSBs
2022
20 complaints3 recalls1 invest.41 TSBs
2021
32 complaints6 recalls1 invest.45 TSBs
2020Best Year
2 complaints0 recalls5 TSBs
2019Best Year
4 complaints0 recalls13 TSBs
2018
5 complaints4 recalls15 TSBs
2017
17 complaints4 recalls23 TSBs
2016
5 complaints3 recalls27 TSBs
2015
10 complaints2 recalls1 invest.23 TSBs
2014
23 complaints11 recalls23 TSBs
2013
32 complaints8 recalls30 TSBs
2012
22 complaints11 recalls25 TSBs
2011
20 complaints19 recalls31 TSBs
2010
22 complaints17 recalls35 TSBs
2009
12 complaints26 recalls27 TSBs
2008
56 complaints31 recalls2 invest.26 TSBs
2007
23 complaints34 recalls2 invest.22 TSBs
2006Avoid
76 complaints38 recalls2 invest.68 TSBs
2005
80 complaints14 recalls2 invest.75 TSBs
2004
70 complaints11 recalls3 invest.83 TSBs
2003
59 complaints7 recalls3 invest.16 TSBs
2002
61 complaints4 recalls3 invest.17 TSBs
2001
59 complaints4 recalls4 invest.27 TSBs
2000
63 complaints6 recalls4 invest.28 TSBs
1999
77 complaints8 recalls5 invest.32 TSBs
1998
70 complaints7 recalls4 invest.27 TSBs
1997
96 complaints4 recalls4 invest.63 TSBs
1996
59 complaints3 recalls1 invest.62 TSBs
1995
93 complaints3 recalls65 TSBs
1994
60 complaints5 recalls1 invest.43 TSBs
1993
53 complaints3 recalls1 invest.14 TSBs
1992
51 complaints3 recalls3 invest.8 TSBs
1991
22 complaints1 recalls6 invest.7 TSBs
1990
28 complaints2 recalls7 invest.7 TSBs
1989
38 complaints3 recalls6 invest.7 TSBs
1988
17 complaints1 recalls4 invest.6 TSBs
1987Avoid
15 complaints8 recalls53 invest.5 TSBs
1986Avoid
14 complaints11 recalls57 invest.6 TSBs
1985Avoid
3 complaints10 recalls56 invest.4 TSBs
1984Avoid
6 complaints12 recalls56 invest.4 TSBs
1983Avoid
5 complaints8 recalls54 invest.5 TSBs
1982Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls2 invest.2 TSBs
1981Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls2 invest.2 TSBs
1980Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls2 invest.1 TSBs
1979Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls2 invest.
1978Best Year
0 complaints5 recalls2 invest.
1977Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1976Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1975Best Year
0 complaints4 recalls1 invest.

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Ford E-350 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2006, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983 Ford E-350 are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Ford E-350, consider the 2024, 2020, 2019, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

53 model years analyzed