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Ford E-350 won't start problems

13 of the 1,102 owner complaints about the Ford E-350 describe won't start, most of them for the 2005 model year.

owner complaints
13
worst model year
2005
typical mileage
50,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2011
    1
  • 2008
    1
  • 2005
    5
  • 2004
    2
  • 2003
    1
  • 2000
    1
  • 1998
    2

Often reported together

Stalling 3Loss of power 3Fuel pump 3Engine failure 3Fuel leak 1

Trouble codes mentioned

P0191 1

What owners say

Filed May 20, 2019 · Electrical · 166,270 miles · SD

Truck died driving on the highway with no warning already had work done, on wiring harness wont start. The computer shuts off. Wont start back up.

Filed Oct 7, 2015 · Fuel system · 300,342 miles · WA

Vehicle brokedown while traveling at about 45mph on sr20 in washington state without warning and blocked traffic lanes, towed to shop where they found code p0191, swapped relay, unable to crank and verifed not fuel pressure. Found bolts broken off holding internal fuel pump, had to replace fuel tank and pumps. When finsihed vehicle would not crank, found burn markes on back of instrument cluster from short in fuel pump, replaced cluster and vehicle is running fine. More than a week down and just under $5,000.00 for repairs for a fuel pump failure that is internal to the fuel tank, the broken attachment bolts and instant loss of power (not being able to clear the roadway) is the reason for this filing.

Filed Nov 21, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 141,008 miles · KS

While drive on highway,vehicle began to lose power when I encountered a hill. It bogged down and struggled to make it to top of hill and lost speed down to 30 MPH or less and then died. It would not start right away, but after letting it sit for 15 minutes, it started and had regained power and I drove it till I got to the nest hill and did the same thing several times till I made it home 3 hours later for a 10 mile trip. I checked online on the vehicle for ford owners forum and saw that several people encountered this problem before and described it as bogging down and losing power. Some one suggested changing the egr valve which I had done, and the fuel filters as well as air filter. When I removed the bottom fuel filter under the van, I captured the fuel in the filter and line and it had what looked like silver paint. I kept the sample and it is soft and pliable. I assumed it was a protective coating lining the fuel tank. I don't believe this should be happening,because it could do damage to the injectors and other things.

Filed Nov 22, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 30,000 miles · AL

This bus is owned by first baptist church of grant, al. About one year ago we started having times when the bus would crank but not start. Our mechanic has checked it four different tlimes, however, every time except this time (5th time) it started when he went to check it. This time we were taking our seniors on a trip, but when we went to crank it, it cranked but would not start. We had it towed to woody anderson ford in huntsville, al. I spoke with the truck service manager today and he told me the engine wiring harness was bad. This bus only has 30,000 miles on it. It has been at woody anderson ford 4 days. I know recalls are based on the VIN number primarily. This is a like new bus and already had to replace the fuel injectors, turbo charger, and a couple of different sensors. Anyone with any common sense knows that it is not normal for an engine wiring harness to go bad. Ford motor company needs to be held accountable and responsible for replacing an engine component that should last as long as you own the vehicle. There is a recall on some vehicles with a 6.0l diesel engine with problems like ours, it is recall # 05s34. The ford dealership said it would cost $3000.00 to replace the wiring harness. This should be a ford motor company problem. Thanks for reading and considering my complaint. Any help would be greatly appreciated. My name is steve stanfield. I am the pastor. My email is [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Sep 4, 2011 · Body, Fuel system · 50,000 miles · FL

I am the original owner of a 2004 ford e 350 diesel,it has been in the shop many of times for the same problem truck stops running in middle of intersections, highways etc does not start and needs to be towed.ford dealership has no idea what is wrong with truck, I get truck back same thing happens. Repeatedly. Now that the truck is out of warranty same thing happens result: delaminating fuel tank, little slivers of paint clogging fuel lines, pumps and injectors.

Filed Mar 3, 2011 · Electrical · 411,637 miles · CA

1998 ford e 350 powerstroke 7.3 diesel. The camshaft positioning sensor (cps) failure is a serious problem that ford will have to deal with. I have had three instances of the unit failing on me since this first one on dec 13th, 2007. In the first case, I was taking my son to school. The van was sputtering the whole way and I eventually had to have it towed to a repair shop after a complete engine failure. Ford had just issued the recall on dec 6th, 2007, and they honored the repair. The second cps incident happened on feb 23rd, 2010. The vehicle would not start; I had it towed to a repair shop after getting a parking ticket. I cannot find proof that ford honored the repair. The 3rd cps incident happened on sunday feb 27th, 2011, one year after the 2nd incident. I was in flagstaff, az during a snowstorm, and the vehicle was failing on me on route 66. It stalled twice on the main highway as the snowplows whipped around me. I got back to where I was staying, and waited until monday morning when I had it towed to a repair shop and had the cps unit replaced. This engine is unsafe and unreliable. The cps unit can fail at anytime, anywhere, and maybe at any speed, though my issues were at low speed or at startup. Ford will not honor this latest incident because they say after my first replacement in dec 2007 that my 'case was closed'.

Filed Mar 3, 2011 · Engine · 411,637 miles · CA

Powerstroke 7.3 diesel. The camshaft positioning sensor (cps) failure is a serious problem that ford will have to deal with. I have had three instances of the unit failing on me since this first one on dec 13th, 2007. In the first case, I was taking my son to school. The van was sputtering the whole way and I eventually had to have it towed to a repair shop after a complete engine failure. Ford had just issued the recall on dec 6th, 2007, and they honored the repair. The second cps incident happened on feb 23rd, 2010. The vehicle would not start; I had it towed to a repair shop after getting a parking ticket. I cannot find proof that ford honored the repair. The 3rd cps incident happened on sunday feb 27th, 2011, one year after the 2nd incident. I was in flagstaff, az during a snowstorm, and the vehicle was failing on me on route 66. It stalled twice on the main highway as the snowplows whipped around me. I got back to where I was staying, and waited until monday morning when I had it towed to a repair shop and had the cps unit replaced. This engine is unsafe and unreliable. The cps unit can fail at anytime, anywhere, and maybe at any speed, though my issues were at low speed or at startup. Ford will not honor this latest incident because they say after my first replacement in dec 2007 that my "case was closed in 2007".

Filed Dec 20, 2008 · Fuel system · 46,838 miles · MD

Vehicle was regularly maintained be an owner who has had experience with and owned diesel vans for over 20 years. The failure occurs while driving on the highway, when average speeds are around 60 MPH after driving for about fifteen minutes. While driving, the engine begins to steadily lose power and speed consistently decreases. This will lead the driver to hastily change lanes to attempt to get to the shoulder before the van stops in the middle of the road. Once on the side of the road, the engine will cut off once the vehicle has come to a stop and will not start up again for 10-20 minutes. Other times the vehicle will not start up again and will need to be towed. Once the failure started for the first time, it would repeat this failure once every other week, then one week, then a few times a week, then almost everyday. The consequences, for example, was when the engine failed and lost power I had to hastily try to get to the number 3 lane from the number 1 lane during morning rush hour, which endangers everyone on the road. After getting to the side, I attempted to turn into an exit when the wheels locked and engine cut off. The front half of the van was directly in the way of oncoming traffic, almost hitting a car and causing a massive backup because the van cannot move. The consequences of this failure is thousands of dollars in falsely attempts at fixing the problem from the ford dealership. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for repairs a total of five times by which the fifth one the dealership wanted $2000 dollars to replace the gas tank because of particulates from the coating of the tank eroded and destroyed the fuel system. The first said it was the fuel injectors, then fuel pump, then two additional fuel pumps, then charged $1000 for an engine flush. The van was in the shop for approx. 25 days to which nothing was resolved. We are currently taking legal actions to pay for costs of unnecessary repairs, rental fees, and the days unable to work.

Filed Feb 8, 2008 · Fuel system · 31,681 miles · WA

2005 ford e350 with several problems. Consumer would like reimbursement for the following repairs. Engine would not start, fuel leak on the passenger side, fuel leaking from the injectors and fuel rail leak on several occasions. *kb the fuel pump also failed.

Filed Nov 4, 2007 · Electrical · 23,000 miles · NY · crash

Ford 2005 e350 diesel both new still under warranty breakdown over a dozen times wouldn't start sometimes after 20 min. Trying it starts roadside assistance. Tow it 5 times to difference ford certified technician they change parts but same problem it stall once my dad hit a parked truck damage hood and fender I can contacted ford many times I got two letters from (we are not doing anything for you ) I paid $35 k w/extended warranty and still making payments I am vary upset.

Related recalls

EngineReported November 17, 2025 · 7,046 vehicles affected
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

EngineReported December 17, 2020 · 29,344 vehicles affected
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 coolingReported September 13, 2004 · 253,076 vehicles affected
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 won't start

Which Ford E-350 years have won't start problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2005 (5 complaints), 1998 (2 complaints) and 2004 (2 complaints).

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