Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 33% | — |
| 2022 | 2 | 14% | — |
| 2018 | 2 | 67% | 5,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 8% | 2,000 miles |
| 2016 | 2 | 40% | 100,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 29% | 76,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2012 | 4 | 25% | 111,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 17% | 50,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 6% | 145,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 5% | 101,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 11% | 215,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 6% | 17,000 miles |
| 2005 | 5 | 9% | 77,000 miles |
| 2004 | 5 | 11% | 2,000 miles |
| 2001 | 5 | 10% | 38,000 miles |
| 2000 | 2 | 3% | 131,000 miles |
| 1998 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 1997 | 4 | 5% | 24,000 miles |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% | 42,000 miles |
| 1995 | 3 | 4% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2012 Ford E-350. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, after a traffic stop, the transmission was slipping out of gear and would shift to a higher gear very rough. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven back to the residence and turned off and restarted and shifted into reverse(R) however, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was shifted into (D) and operated as needed. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19S20 - Transmission Coast Clutch Cylinder and One-Way Clutch Replacement (Power Train). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford e-350. While driving 60 MPH, the contact experienced a sudden loss of power and the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the highway shoulder and waited a few minutes to restart the vehicle. Upon restarting the vehicle, the failure recurred. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission failed. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 19V432000 (power train) was issued for the vehicle year, make, and model; however, the contact's VIN was not included. The contact called galpin Ford (15505 roscoe blvd, north hills, ca 91343, [phone]) and was informed to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 111,000.
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.
Vehicle jerks into gear when starting from a stop, or while moving slowly. Vehicle was falling out of third gear and required clutch replacement. Intermediate clutch solenoid replacement. Intermediate clutch piston not sealing. Required transmission overhaul after 8,500 miles. After six months and 18,000 miles, the same problem recurred with severe slipping of transmission at low speed.
Dt: the contact stated that while driving there was an acrid smell coming from the air-conditioning vents. The dealer diagnosed the problem to be an air compressor failure in the air-conditioning system. The contact has ten 2005, and 3, 2006 vehicles. All 13 had the alternators replaced by the dealer before the buses were put into service. There have been 3 alternator failures, 2 high pressure pump failures, 1 clutch fan failure and 5 vehicles with check engine light issues. Updated 8/15/2006 -
2006 Ford econoline e350, transmission started shifting erratically causing him to lose control. The driver struck a guardrail, entered the roadway again and was struck by a semi-tractor trailer. Ohio traffic crash report# 10-0635-90. Updated 04/14/10
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford e-350. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed to shift. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 243,000.
I had an issue with the vehicle having a sudden miss from the engine while on the freeway. Saturday the sparkplugs and one coil pack was replaced. The vehicle was next driven on Sunday evening where approx. 1/2 mile from the home the vehicle shut off without any power to the steering and brakes. Instruments lights were still working but dropped to the off position. I opened the hood and smelled electrical fumes, not being able to see what was wrong, I disconnected the battery with a pair of channelocks. The vehicle was towed home and I began to investigate the issue. I found that the PCM/ECM had been rendered permanently nonfunctional causing the vehicle shut off. The wiring had a 1.5" by 2" & 3/4" deep burnt/melted area on a roughly 2" round harness. …
Related recalls (3)
Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 F-550 and 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. The rear axle differential fluid may be below the minimum level, possibly resulting in a failure of the rear axle assembly and driveshaft separation.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axle differential fluid level and adjust it, or replace the rear axle as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2020.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Ford is recalling 3,331 my 2008 e-350 vehicles built with a 138 inch wheel base. The drive shaft May have been manufactured with a slip yoke that has cracks. The effect of the cracks on fatigue performance is variable, but on some yokes with cracks, the performance is reduced below design specification.
Remedy: Dealers will have the drive shaft inspected for manufacturing date and replace it free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2008. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Power train › Manual transmission
Vehicle description: pickup trucks built with single rear wheels and equipped with 3.55:1 and 3.73:1 axle ratio. These vehicles were built with incorrect speedometer driven gears, resulting in a lower speedometer reading than the actual vehicle speed being driven.
Remedy: Dealers will install the correct speedometer gear.
NHTSA investigations
Internal transmission failure
By letter dated June 10, 2019, Ford Motor Company notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of a safety defect that may exist in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2016 Ford Econoline vehicles equipped with a 5R110W transmission.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford E-350 years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (5), 2004 (5) and 2005 (5) model years. Transmission complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Ford E-350 transmission problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 20V-099 (differential unit, Feb 21, 2020); 08V-165 (driveshaft, Apr 11, 2008); 98V-257 (manual transmission, Oct 14, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford E-350 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles; 50% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (13 mentions), followed by the clutch assembly (2).
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.