VehicleVerdict

2018 Ford E-350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 5 complaints on file for the 2018 Ford E-350 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

5

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other E-350 years?

E-350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted96 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 5 complaints1984: 6 complaints1985: 3 complaints1986: 14 complaints1987: 15 complaints1988: 17 complaints1989: 38 complaints1990: 28 complaints1991: 22 complaints1992: 51 complaints1993: 53 complaints1994: 60 complaints1995: 93 complaints1996: 59 complaints1997: 96 complaints1998: 70 complaints1999: 77 complaints2000: 63 complaints2001: 59 complaints2002: 61 complaints2003: 59 complaints2004: 70 complaints2005: 80 complaints2006: 76 complaints2007: 23 complaints2008: 55 complaints2009: 12 complaints2010: 22 complaints2011: 20 complaints2012: 22 complaints2013: 32 complaints2014: 23 complaints2015: 10 complaints2016: 5 complaints2017: 15 complaints2018: 5 complaints2019: 4 complaints2020: 2 complaints2021: 30 complaints2022: 20 complaints2023: 2 complaints2024: 1 complaints2025: 1 complaints2026: 0 complaints2027: 0 complaints
E-350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all E-350 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Ford E-350 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission240%
Brakes120%
Electrical System120%
Suspension120%

Does the 2018 Ford E-350 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V466000OtherJune 18, 2019 · 52 units

Defect

SVO Group Inc. (SVO Group) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford E-350 and E-450-based shuttle buses equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image. The affected monitors may revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to be reversed.

Consequence

The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

SVO Group will work with ASA to notify owners, and ASA will provide a harness relay capacitor module to eliminate the image reversal, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact ASA Electronics customer service at 1-800-384-4400.

19V342000LightingMay 3, 2019 · 17 units

Defect

Taylor Made Ambulances is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford E-350, F-450, E-450, F-550, and GMC G3500-based ambulances equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.

Consequence

If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Taylor Made will notify owners and Whelen will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2019. Owners may contact Taylor Made Ambulances customer service at 1-800-468-1310.

19V236000LightingMarch 26, 2019 · 36 units

Defect

Excellance, Inc. (Excellance) is recalling certain 2018 Ambulances and Emergency Vehicles built on Ford E-350, E-450, F-650, F-550 4x4, Chevrolet G4500, G4500 Diesel, C3500, G3500, Freightliner M2, International 4300, and Dodge 4500 chassis and equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Excellance has notified owners, instructing them to contact Whelen to have the brake lights replaced, free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2019. Owners may contact Whelen customer service at 1-860-718-2331 or Execellance at 1-256-772-9321.

19V205000SeatsMarch 18, 2019 · 471 units

Defect

Quality Van Sales, Inc. (Quality Van) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit and E-350 vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seat back cushions. The seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."

Consequence

In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Quality Van will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began March 21, 2019. Owners may contact Quality Van customer service at 1-800-408-8550.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS MAKING A 3 POINT TURN, AND WHEN I PUT THE TRUCK INTO REVERSE IT JUMPED FORWARD INSTEAD OF GOING BACKWARD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STRIKE POWER POLE CABLES.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 4, 2018 · crash

“THIS VEHICLE HAS A 12,500 GVWR. WE RECENTLY HAD THIS AT A FORD DEALER FOR A BROKEN LEFT REAR SUSPENSION. THE DEALER WEIGHED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE TARE WEIGHT TO BE 11,200 LBS. THIS IS A CLASS-C MOTORHOME AND IT WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY OF ANY AND ALL CARGO, NO LIQUIDS, WHICH IS CAPABLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 15, 2018

“TL* THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2018 FORD E-350. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE INSTEAD ACCELERATE FORWARD WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 8, 2019

“THIS VEHICLE HAS A 12,500 GVWR. WE RECENTLY HAD THIS AT A FORD DEALER FOR A BROKEN LEFT REAR SUSPENSION. THE DEALER WEIGHED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE TARE WEIGHT TO BE 11,200 LBS. THIS IS A CLASS-C MOTORHOME AND IT WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY OF ANY AND ALL CARGO, NO LIQUIDS, WHICH IS CAPABLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 15, 2018

2018 Ford E-350 — common questions

Is the 2018 Ford E-350 reliable?

The record is thin — 5 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2018 Ford E-350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Ford E-350. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford E-350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-350 years to avoid are 1997, 1995, 2005, 1999, 2006, 1998, 2004, 2000, 2002, 1994, 1996, 2003, 2001, 2008, 1993, 1992, 1989, 2013, 2021. The cleanest record among E-350 years belongs to 2027.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.