This vehicle has had multiple issues since its purchase. We have replaced all injectors, with some injectors replaced more than one. Finally, in april 2014 when the motor overheated we were forced to replace the motor.
Ford E-350 overheating problems
13 of the 1,102 owner complaints about the Ford E-350 describe engine overheating, most of them for the 1990 model year.
- owner complaints
- 13
- worst model year
- 1990
- typical mileage
- 81,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20061
- 20031
- 20001
- 19992
- 19972
- 19961
- 19951
- 19941
- 19903
Often reported together
What owners say
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle overheated while traveling uphill 35 MPH. It was taken to a service dealer and test driven to recreate the overheating. The dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. An independent service mechanic installed gauges to monitor the engine's heat more closely. The vehicle overheated on 8 occasions, under similar circumstances. The manufacturer was not contacted.
Discca owns eight e-250 & e-350 ford vans. Two have had fan selector switches overheat and fill the cab with smoke. One is a 1999 e-350 and the other is a 2001 e-250.
When braking any speed, the front/rear brake rotors overheat and the steering wheel vibrates. The dealership repaired twice, but the consumer is still having the same problems. Please provide more information.
The original tires overheated and smoked,causing the vehicle to shake. The tires were in the process of blowing out which could have resulted in a collision or serious damage. Firestone, steel tex tires.
After vehicle was started an unusual noise occurred in engine compartment. Dealer inspected vehicle and determined that engine needed to be replaced due to coolant leaking into the cylinder. *ak
Interior light(dome) housing area is dark coming from the light bulb of overheating.
Due to failure of the parking brake which does not release causing overheating of brake system damaging the calipers and rotors, while braking the steering wheel pulls very hard almost resulting in several near accidents due to loss of control.
Disc brakes overheat, brake fluid boils out; pedal goes to floor, causing extended stopping distance, almost caused a crash; calipers stick; garage bled brakes, replaced rotors/calipers.
Near complete brake failure due to the brakes hanging up and overheating to the extent that there is a loss of stopping power, guide pins rusting could be the cause.
Related recalls
Engine
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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 beginning December 22, 2025.
Recall number 25V793000 · Recall details
Engine
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 20V795000 · 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
Questions about the Ford E-350 overheating
Which Ford E-350 years have engine overheating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1990 (3 complaints), 1997 (2 complaints) and 1999 (2 complaints).
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