Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4 | 29% | 12,000 miles |
| 2021 | 7 | 32% | 22,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 33% | 4,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 8% | 21,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 20% | 4,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 6% | 4,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 38% | 5,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 13% | 98,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 11% | — |
| 2009 | 1 | 11% | 20,000 miles |
| 2008 | 6 | 15% | 65,000 miles |
| 2006 | 7 | 13% | 75,000 miles |
| 2005 | 5 | 9% | 97,000 miles |
| 2003 | 7 | 15% | 77,000 miles |
| 2002 | 5 | 9% | 11,000 miles |
| 2001 | 6 | 12% | 58,000 miles |
| 2000 | 4 | 7% | 169,000 miles |
| 1999 | 5 | 7% | 48,000 miles |
| 1998 | 10 | 16% | 57,000 miles |
| 1997 | 18 | 23% | 99,000 miles |
| 1996 | 19 | 38% | 345,000 miles |
| 1995 | 35 | 51% | 80,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2022 Ford E-350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff and the vehicle would pull in either direction. Additionally, there was an abnormal odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact then noticed that the brake pedal had to be pressed very hard in order to stop the vehicle. After stopping to inspect under the hood, the contact discovered a power steering fluid leak in the engine compartment. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the power steering pressure line had detached. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V089000 (Steering, Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was 6,300.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford E-350. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact desperately depressed on the brake pedal and the vehicle eventually came to a complete stop. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the mechanic stated that the power steering pump needed to be replaced, and that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V089000 (Steering, Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 12,361.
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 contact to a dealer; however, the dealer could not accommodate the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle at the contact's residence. The dealer determined that unknown hoses needed to be replaced and the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V089000 (Steering, Service Brakes, Hydraulic). …
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. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V089000 (Steering, Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000. …
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 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. …
When there is any dew or moisture of any kind on the road the truck wont stop without the front breaks locking up and wont stop, Also the spark plugs have blown out of the motor prior to this it starts to develop A misfire, And The rear sustention is so weak the rear of the truck drags the ground when there is A low spot or dup in the road and has worn the metal off the bottom of the tow hitch making it unsafe and useless
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford e-350. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, it failed to respond on several occasions. The contact stated that while driving an unknown speed, two of the four front disc brake bolts fractured. Two of the four bolts fractured one on each side. The lower bolts failed prematurely causing the brake system to fail. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced all four bolts and also replaced a caliber. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were not available. Updated 01/27/16
Related recalls (3)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
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…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Frontline is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 electronic news gathering (eng) vehicles built on a Ford e-350 chassis with an aftermarket rear anti-sway bar and manufactured from October 31, 2006, through July 12, 2011. These vehicles May be susceptible to rear hydraulic brake line damage.
Remedy: Frontline will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. Repairs will be performed by local Ford dealers and frontline authorized service facilities.
NHTSA investigations
Alleged brake hose failures
Ford has received no owner reports of failure, other than the four odi reports that came from a single fleet in new york state.Ford also reports that it has received no field reports and did not identify any warranty claims alleging the subject problem.Ford estimates that the 86,910 subject vehicles (that have over 6 years exposure), have accumulated over six billion miles of service and that the virtual lack of…
Loss of Power Brake/Steering Assist Post Recall 22V089 Inspection.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query (RQ) 24003 on February 27, 2024, to evaluate the scope and remedy effectiveness of NHTSA recall 24V097. On February 16, 2022, Ford Motor Company (Ford) issued a safety recall, NHTSA recall 22V089, for certain 2021-2022 Ford E-350 and E-450 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford E-350 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (35), 1996 (19), 1997 (18), 1998 (10) and 2003 (7) model years. Brake complaints make up 51% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Ford E-350 brake problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 24V-097 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Feb 9, 2024); 22V-089 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Feb 16, 2022); 11V-392 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Aug 1, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford E-350 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles; 54% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (47 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (21).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.