At 68,450 miles, several issues occurred: 1) oil pressure switch blew out of the housing, 2) oil was visible in coolant, 3) oil was leaking from engine, 4) idle vacillated up and down w/o any action on part of the user. Took van to dealer, who claimed to have repaired these items. Inspection of the "repaired vehicle" revealed oil still dripping off engine onto ground. Was told that this was "normal" and would disappear. However, this did not happen. Engine has continued to leak and oil continues to mix with coolant fluid, even after flushing system twice since repair. Despite numerous calls to dealer, problem has not been fixed. Engine has less than 13k additional miles on it since "repair" and oil is still leaking. Leak continues to get worse with time. I believe this is a manufacturer's defect and since the engine has far less than 100k miles on it, should be repaired as a warranty item. Mixing of oil and coolant is a safety hazard and needs to be programmatically addressed by ford.
The worst 2004 Ford E-350 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Fuel system18
- Engine13
- Electrical5
- Transmission5
- Tires4
- Body3
- Seat belts3
- Acceleration2
- Airbags2
- Steering2
- Locks1
- Suspension1
- Visibility1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Ford E-350
Recalls 9
Equipment adaptive/mobility
- What is wrong
- Van conversions is recalling 52 my 2004-2007 ford e-150, e-250 e-350 and my 2006 gm savanna 3500 vans built on ford and gm chassis and equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift system accessible for motor vehicles," the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.
- Risk
- A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
- Remedy
- Van conversions is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1‑818‑267‑3000 or van conversions at 610‑837‑0707.
Recall number 09V100000 · Recall details
Equipment adaptive/mobility
- What is wrong
- Van conversions is recalling 74 my 2004-2007 ford e-150, e-250 e-350 and my 2006 gm savanna 3500 vans built on ford and gm chassis and equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
- Risk
- The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
- Remedy
- Van conversions is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1‑818‑267‑3000 or van conversions at 610‑837‑0707.
Recall number 09V102000 · Recall details
Equipment adaptive/mobility
- What is wrong
- Mobilityworks is recalling 224 my 2007-2008 ford e150, my 2006-2008 e250, my 2004-2007 e350, my 2006 e450, my 2005-2007 chevrolet 2500, my 2007 chevrolet 1500, and my 2006 dodge 2500 vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
- Risk
- The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
- Remedy
- Mobilityworks is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1‑818‑267‑3000 or mobility works at 1‑800‑769‑8267.
Recall number 08V518000 · Recall details
Equipment adaptive/mobility
- What is wrong
- Mobilityworks is recalling 133 my 2005-2006 ford e250, my 2000, 2004-2006 e350, my 2000, 2005 e450, my 2005-2006 gmc 2500, gmc 3500, and my 2006 dodge 2500 vans equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift systems for motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.
- Risk
- A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
- Remedy
- Mobilityworks is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1‑818‑267‑3000 or mobilityworks at 1‑800‑769‑8267.
Recall number 08V519000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- Certain pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans equipped with 6.0l diesel engines may experience stalling without warning while driving and may or may not restart.
- Risk
- Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will upgrade the fuel injection control module (ficm) wire harness or replaced, and/or have a new injection control pressure (icp)) sensor connector installed free of charge. The recall began on july 22, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 05V270000 · Recall details
Equipment adaptive/mobility
- What is wrong
- On certain vans built on ford e250/e350 chassis and equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as necessary. Sure-lok is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Owners should contact sure-lock at 1‑908‑231‑1804 or accubuilt at 419‑222‑1501.
Recall number 04V589000 · Recall details
Equipment adaptive/mobility
- What is wrong
- On certain vans equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as necessary. Sure-lok will handle the repairs for this campaign. Owners should contact sure-lock at 1‑908‑231‑1804 or mobilityworks at 1‑800‑769‑8267.
Recall number 04V562000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- On certain vans, a diode in the anti-lock braking system (ABS) module may experience an electrical short.
- Risk
- The electrical short may cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, or the module may overheat resulting in a burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition may occur while the vehicle is being driven or unattended.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new fuse in the ABS circuit and install a heat shield over the ABS module. The recall began on october 15, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673. Also ford is extending the limited warranty (for a one time replacement) of the ABS module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until september 30, 2005.
Recall number 04V444000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- On certain vans, the air filter element material process resulted in an air filter paper element that can smolder or burn. This change in filter paper composition combined with the configuration of the air induction system, may allow hot carbon particles to contact the air filter element during certain driving conditions that create hot particles.
- Risk
- These hot particles may ignite the air filter element with the potential for air induction system damage or underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the air filter element. The recall began september 27, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673. Also ford is extending the limited warranty (for a one time replacement) of the ABS module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until september 30, 2005.
Recall number 04V445000 · Recall details
See all 9 recalls for the 2004 Ford E-350
Defect investigations
HVAC Switch Failures
This investigation was opened based on one complaint and reports from four transportation fleets alleging 182 blower motor control switch failures.ODI was concerned that these melting and burning switches could lead to an open flame that could spread throughout the vehicle.After a comprehensive review of all data related to overheating blower motor control switches in the subject vehicles, ODI did not identify the existence of a safety defect trend.ODI reviewed 1,036 complaints, claims, and field reports of failed blower motor control switches and determined that only two fires were likely to have been caused by a failing subject blower motor control switch.This represents a failure rate of 0.2 R/100K on a population of 1,076,975 vehicles that have been in service for up to 14 years.ODI has found that when the subject switches do fail and begin to melt, they are constructed in a manner that typically prevents the failing switch from igniting and developing into an open flame.Ford Motor Company has agreed to take two actions to further reduce the likelihood an overheated blower motor switch in the subject vehicles.Ford informed ODI that it has implemented a series of design changes to the subject switch that will help prevent it from developing internal high resistance short circuits.Ford has also informed ODI that it would release a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB-11-11-21) instructing subject vehicle owners to replace the electrical connector at the same time a failed switch is replaced.In light of the low rate of failure resulting in open flame and fire spread on the subject vehicles, and Ford's actions to reduce the likelihood of a switch failure through switch design changes and a TSB, further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following (ODI) numbers: 10427875, 10114393, 10257890For additional information, see the attached closing report.
EA10003
HVAC Switch Failures
ODI has received 1 complaint and reports from 4 transportation fleets alleging 182 switch failures.Each fleet operates mini buses built on a Ford E350 or E450 cutaway chassis.The OEM HVAC blower switches have melted, smoked, burned or experienced open flame and become inoperable on vehicles in each fleet.Some drivers have reported a burning smell or smoke coming from the dash.One fleet reported a vehicle fire.No injuries were sustained.However, the bus was carrying special needs children when the driver noticed smoke coming from the dash.The driver was able to evacuate the children prior to the vehicle becoming engulfed in flames.This PE has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA) to determine if the blower motor switch failures create a situation where a vehicle fire is possible and presents a safety risk to the driver and other passengers.
PE09055
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi?s analysis showed, it is possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles.however, odi?s analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences.none of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence.given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect is very low.in view of the foregoing, it is unlikely that the federal safety agency would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition is denied.
DP05005
Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Ford E-350 83
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- When performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV has replaced all...
- This SKU is a front upper ball joint
- Ford: when shifting between park, reverse and/or during 2-3 shift, an intermittent clunk occurs with a...
- Ford: on some trucks, there is a no crank situation and if voltage on transmission range sensor at pin 21,...
- Ford: runs rough, lacks power, hard start, no start
- Ford: some vehicles with diesel engines may experience no starts, hard starts or rough running when cold...
- Ford: some vehicles equipped with 6.0L diesel engine may exhibit any one or combination of the following...
- Ford trucks: misfire, lack of power, buck/jerk, excessive smoke, crank/no start-diagnostics for fuel system
- 6.0L turbocharger carbon deposit diagnostics and service tips
- 6.0L--MIL ON--P0401, P0402, P0404, P1335--LACK of power or surge with some 2003-2007 f-super duty,...
What 2004 Ford E-350 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
All gauges stop working when it rains but starts and runs ok. Power windows do not work when it rains but starts and runs ok.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford e-350. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the front air bags deployed without warning. The contact sustained burns on both forearms, but did not receive medical attention. There was no police report filed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford e-350. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled and was towed to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the fuel injector, fuel tank, fuel pump, and the engine needed to be replaced. The technician also stated that the silver coating in the fuel tank was from one of the damaged parts. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,000. Updated 04/07/15*lj updated 11/3/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford e-350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, he noticed smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. Both technicians advised the contact that the egr cooler and the head gasket would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
Sidewall separated completely on one tire and the tread is separating from the body if another tire. Both tires are the same make and model. Dean mud terrain sxt m+s lt245/75-r16 dot on tire with sidewall separation up11-dnw-0108 dot on tire with tread lug separation up11-dnw-0108 failures occurred at the same time on a 2004 ford e350 econoline. During freeway operation, operator felt a rumble and slowed and pulled over to then notice the sidewall had separated. He then also noticed the rear. Changed tires to a different brand and contacted cooper the parent company of dean to see if there was a recall. No recall was stated under their company. Four of the tires on the van are under warranty and they directed me to contact a local distributor to change them. Still have the tires and have yet to change them out.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford e350. Equipped with bf goodrich t/a a/s tires, size: lt245/75r16. The contact stated that recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign id number 12t019000 (tires: tread/belt) was received july of two thousand twelve. The contact believed that the wait for the repairs had exceeded a reasonable amount of time. The contact had not experienced a failure. The dot number and VIN were not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford e-350. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall without warning. The vehicle would stutter and then stall. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the fuel injection control pressure sensor failed. The contact referenced the federal safety agency recall campaign id number: 05v270000 (electrical system: wiring) but was advised that the vehicle was not included. The failure mileage was 93,000.
Dvd player will not eject cd's.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford e-350. The contact stated that the vehicle would lose power when accelerating and then stall. The contact would have to wait thirty minutes before the vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact stated the failure would occur without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, but there was no solution to the problem. The contact did research and feels the problem is caused by the fuel tank delaminating. The failure mileage was 50,800 and the current mileage was 120,000.
Compare the 2004 Ford E-350
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Questions about the 2004 Ford E-350
Is the 2004 Ford E-350 reliable?
Owners have filed 46 complaints about the 2004 Ford E-350, 2.7 times a typical E-350 model year.
What is the 2004 Ford E-350 year score?
The 2004 Ford E-350 scores 26 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford E-350: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Ford E-350?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 18 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles. Next is engine (13).
How many recalls does the 2004 Ford E-350 have?
9 recalls, covering equipment adaptive/mobility, electrical system and engine and engine cooling.
What year does the Ford E-350 have the most fuel system problems?
The Ford E-350 model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2004 (18 complaints), 2005 (17 complaints) and 2003 (11 complaints).
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