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2021 Ford E-350 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2021 Ford E-350 has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated November 2, 2026.
- 6safety recalls
- 22owner complaints
- 1crash report
- 0fire reports
- 0injuries reported
The most complained-about Ford E-350 year on file: 22 complaints, against an average of 8 for the other 12 model years.
Every Ford E-350 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2021 Ford E-350?
The components named most often in the 22 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2021 Ford E-350 owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 22 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2021 Ford E-350 been recalled?
6 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Engine Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles that received an incomplete software update under recall 20V795. The engine cover may become excessively hot.
Risk: Direct contact with certain areas of engine cover surface in the passenger compartment may increase the risk of injury or burns to the skin of the driver or front seat passenger.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain calibration for heat management under elevated idle conditions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC7. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 22, 2025.
Steering: Hydraulic Power Assist: Hose, Piping, And Connections 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.
Risk: A sudden loss of power steering fluid can result in a loss of power steering and power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 even if their vehicle was remedied under the prior recall. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 21, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S07.
Steering: Hydraulic Power Assist: Hose, Piping, And Connections 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.
Risk: A sudden loss of power steering fluid can result in a loss of power steering and power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S08.
Engine Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. The underside of the engine cover may have mispositioned insulation, allowing the cover to get excessively hot.
Risk: Direct and continuous contact with certain areas of engine cover surface in the passenger compartment may increase the risk of injury or burns to the skin of the driver or front seat passenger.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine cover for gaps between the rubber seal and the insulation. If gaps are present, the dealer will install engine cover insulation patches in the right hand and left hand inner lower corners of the engine cover. The dealer will also update the powertrain calibration for heat management under elevated idle conditions should a vehicle be equipped with SEIC or BCP, free of charge. The recall began February 15, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S73.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. A wire harness in the rear of the vehicle may contact the vehicle frame, resulting in damage to the circuits that support the fuel pump and the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Risk: Damage to the fuel pump circuit in the wiring harness could result in an unexpected engine stall. Damage to the ABS wiring can lead to reduction of ABS functionality and a loss of roll stability control (RSC) functionality. These scenarios increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wire harness for damage. If no damage is found, dealers will apply anti-abrasion tape over the area and ensure clearance to surrounding components. If damage is found, dealers will splice in new wire and apply anti-abrasion tape over the area and ensure clearance to surrounding components. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S13.
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.
Risk: If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of drive, increasing the risk of crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur and increase the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S09.
What do 2021 Ford E-350 owners report?
12 of the 22 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
Engine failure on a 2021 Ford E-350 cutaway, 7.3L V8, used for parcel delivery. The vehicle was taken out of service and has not run since. Two diagnoses, both in writing. ACME Mobile Service, July 27, 2026, at 152,760 miles: "Found the #5 cylinder is completely disabled and dropped out. Truck will need a new motor." Ford of Spartanburg (Ford dealership), Repair Order 595835, August 25, 2026: "FOUND ENGINE IS KNOCKING, WILL NEED TO REPLACE MOTOR." Ford quoted $16,000.82 for a long-block replacement. The engine is available for inspection. This is the second engine failure on this VIN. In March…
Engine misfire on a 2021 Ford E-350 cutaway, 7.3L V8, used for parcel delivery. The vehicle was delivered to Ford of Spartanburg (Ford dealership) for diagnosis. The vehicle is still out of service. Ford's diagnosis, Repair Order 593079, June 26, 2026: "WILL NEED TO REPLACE ALL SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, WILL ALSO NEED TO REPLACED ALL COILS DUE TO MISFIRES ON ALMOST EVERY CYLINDER." The Ford service advisor wrote the same day: "The engine also has a misfire that is unrelated to the transmission concern." Ford quoted $4,376.35 for the ignition components and wrote: "AFTER REPAIRING TRANSMISSION…
fatal Camshaft and lifter failure requiring an engine replacement
Engine failure at 78,172, excess wear to the camshaft lobes and valve tappet surface. We have had 22 failures. There was a recall -24B27 for 2021 and 2022 models year for idle oil pressure. Most vans had 70 to 80k on them by the time we received a letter. Some engine have been changed twice. Ford has a serious problem and is not acknowledging it. Please help! Montachusett Regional Transit Authority , Fitchburg MA 01420
After hitting a very rough patch of interstate, our steering became very difficult. The driver thought that maybe we had a low tire, so looked for a place to pull over. We crested a hill, and there was an exit with a truck stop. As we attempted to slow for the exit, the driver discovered we had no brakes or power steering. Driver used the brakes on the trailer we were towing to slow us and bring us to a stop. Checked the brake fluid reservoir. It was empty. Bought more, but as soon as the pedal was pushed, it was gone. We were towed to a repair shop, and they discovered the high pressure line…
On 6/2/23, brakes failed to work when applying heavy pressure, causing a rear end collision.
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…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-350. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the power steering and brakes became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with loosened brake line fittings and an unknown fluid leak. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V013000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 13,667.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-350. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V089000 (Steering, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the vehicle was inspected. During the inspection, there were no leaks found. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH after the inspection, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact coasted the vehicle off the highway. The contact stated that while driving afterward and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as designed. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to…
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…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-350. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the contact started to smell a burning odor coming from the RV. The contact attempted to pull over the RV to the side of the roadway however, the RV became difficult to steer. The contact pulled over the RV and checked underneath the RV and the front hood and noticed that power steering fluid had leaked all over the engine. The contact continued driving to his destination and then had the RV towed to an RV lot. The RV was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-350. The contact stated while driving at various speeds in windy conditions, the “Service Advance-trac” warning message was displayed on the instrument panel. Soon after the initial message was displayed, the Traction Control, Pre-Collision Assist, Cruise Control, and the Hill Start Assist messages also all appeared on the instrument panel. The contact called and made an appointment with the local dealer however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,500.
2021 Ford E-350: questions owners ask
Is the 2021 Ford E-350 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford E-350; the most common categories were engine (11, 50%), service brakes (7, 31.8%), steering (7, 31.8%). There are 6 safety recalls. 1 complaint mentions a crash.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford E-350?
Across 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (50% of complaints), service brakes (31.8% of complaints), steering (31.8% of complaints), hydraulic (22.7% of complaints), diesel (4.5% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2021 Ford E-350 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2021 Ford E-350; the most recent (campaign 25V793000, 2025-11-17) concerns Engine. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has the 2021 Ford E-350 had engine failures?
7 of the 22 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Ford E-350 (31.8%) describe complete engine failure or a replaced engine. One owner wrote: "Engine failure at 78,172, excess wear to the camshaft lobes and valve tappet surface. We have had 22 failures. There was a recall -24B27 for 2021 and 2022 models year for idle oil pressure. Most vans had 70 to 80k on them by the time we received a letter." (NHTSA complaint 11701901, November 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why do the brakes feel soft, fail or make noise on my 2021 Ford E-350?
4 of the 22 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Ford E-350 (18.2%) describe brakes feeling soft, failing, grinding or squealing. 3 related recalls exist: campaign 24V097000 (steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections). The fix: Dealers will replace the power steering pressure line and the hydroboost jumper line, free of charge. One owner wrote: "After hitting a very rough patch of interstate, our steering became very difficult. The driver thought that maybe we had a low tire, so looked for a place to pull over. We crested a hill, and there was an exit with a truck stop." (NHTSA complaint 11609275, August 2024). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own E-350
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), retrieved November 2, 2026. Model year 2021 only. How these reports are made.
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