Brakes line rapture on front left line in driveway with foot on pedal had had feel of having brakes put van in drive started out of car port got on the down grade of the driveway pushed brake pedal and had no brakes to stop the vehicle I sideswiped a tree to keep from rolling In to to neighbors house
Ford E-350 brake failure problems
43 of the 1,102 owner complaints about the Ford E-350 describe brake failure, most of them for the 1990 model year.
- owner complaints
- 43
- worst model year
- 1990
- typical mileage
- 81,600
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
ABS 6Power steering loss 2Engine failure 2Overheating 1Loss of power 1Fire or smoke 1
What owners say
Driving during heavy rain in Texas, vehicle lost power intermittently, causing engine failure, loss of steering, loss of braking, loss of control. This event was apparently due to BCM failure due to moisture getting to the BCM. Upon inspection by a certified Mechanic , BCM and wiring was wet. BCM also had apparent corrosion.11
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 the Hydroboost brake system had separated. The repair shop was able to find a replacement from Ford Motor Co., and repaired our motorhome. We had this exact component inspected 2 years ago when Ford issued an inspection report. We passed. This incident happened 2500 miles from home. When we arrived home, there was a letter from Ford (24N03) stating they were extending the "warranty" period on the high pressure line.
On 6/2/23, brakes failed to work when applying heavy pressure, causing a rear end collision.
On April 22, 2022 we were driving east on Hwy 100 in Henderson, TN. We had stopped to make a left-hand turn. A vehicle claimed his brakes went out and hit us from behind going full-speed. Our driver could see he was not stopping and tried to leave the roadway. A vehicle was traveling west (coming towards us) so he couldn't turn to the left. He stated to pull off the roadway into the grass embankment, but didn't get of the road before being struck. My concern is this: our vehicle (cutaway with wheelchair lift added via state contract by Mid-south Bus in Murfreesboro, TN) immediately caught fire and burned to the ground within minutes. If there had been a wheelchair bound passenger tied down in the back of this vehicle, there would've been no way the driver could've got him/her off before being engulfed in flames. The fuel tank is located about 2.5' from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle has a metal (not fiberglass or plastic) bumper. We have lots of these vehicles. My concern is "what if this happens again an there is a passenger in that wheelchair station?"
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 the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V089000 (Steering, Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000. Consumer purchased the unit in Las Vegas on March 13th with 21,477 miles on the odometer and it failed on April 1st, with 22,018 miles on the odometer.
While traveling on interstate highway at approx. 70 MPH. I had a total power brake failure. Pedal felt like I was pushing against a wall. I was able to slow vehicle while I was standing on brake pedal.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 ford e 350. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH the contact applied the brakes and the brake pedal would not move. The contact had to apply the emergency brake in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer did not diagnose the brake failure. The contact stated that prior to the brakes malfunctioning he was driving on the highway and a crash could have occurred. The failure mileage was 75,000.
2005 ford e-350. Consumer states while pulling into a parking lot and applying the brakes, the van's brakes failed to operate causing a collision *tgw the consumer stated the vacuum pump attached to the engine failed. *jb the consumer stated the brake, was a major component that failed and there was no warning of a failure. Update 01/13/14
Apparently the advanced track system (stabilizes the van to prevent rollover) automatically performs tests. The problem is that it does it randomly and while I'm driving. When it is in test mode, I temporarily loose control of my brakes and steering!!!!! It seems more frequent in that it has done it twice in the past month, today being one of the times. I actually rear ended someone today because my brakes did not work!!!!!! I think the system is a good idea but the self testing causing loss of control is dangerous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I have a ticket, a record, 2 vehicles to repair and probably an increase in insurance! Great van but this part sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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 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.
Recall number 24V097000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S08.
Recall number 22V089000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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. The rear anti-sway bar frame mounting bolt threads may come in contact with the steel hydraulic brake line. If metal-to-metal abrasion occurs, the brake line may eventually rupture and cause a loss of hydraulic service brake pressure.
- Risk
- If a loss of service brake pressure occurs, the driver may not be able to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash
- 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. The manufacturer began contacting owners by telephone on july 12, 2011. Owners may contact frontline communications at 1‑727‑573‑0400.
Recall number 11V392000 · Recall details
Parking brake: conventional
- What is wrong
- These vehicles do not comply with fmvss 105, "hydraulic brake systems." the parking brake application force for a foot operated control system should not exceed 125 pounds to hold the vehicle on a 30% grade. Interference between the parking brake pedal and a wire harness may increase the needed pedal force to greater than 125 pounds to set the parking brake to hold the vehicle on the 30% grade.
- Risk
- The interference between the foot pedal and the wireharness may not allow the parking brake to fully set. If this occurs when thevehicle is parked on an incline, it may roll, causing a crash.
- Remedy
- Final stage manufacturers will be informed of this condition and provided with parts and instructions necessary to correct this situation.
Recall number 93V194000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford E-350 brake failure
Which Ford E-350 years have brake failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1990 (7 complaints), 1995 (7 complaints) and 1994 (4 complaints).
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