2016 Ford E-350 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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."
What could happen: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 E-350.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V205000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-408-8550.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS
Summary: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Please provide the following information:
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 8L engine and an optional trailer brake controller. In the affected vehicles, the trailer brake controller may not actuate the trailer brakes.
What could happen: If the trailer brakes are not activated when the towing vehicle is slowing down, the distance needed to stop the vehicle may be lengthened, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S32.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 E-350.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 15V710000 (manufacturer code 15S32).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 E-350 and E-450 vehicles manufactured November 3, 2014, to September 1, 2015, and equipped with a 6.8L engine and an optional trailer brake controller. In the affected vehicles, the trailer brake controller may not actuate the trailer brakes.
Consequence: If the trailer brakes are not activated when the towing vehicle is slowing down, the distance needed to stop the vehicle may be lengthened, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S32.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
3. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 8L engine and an optional trailer brake controller. The trailer braking system may fail, increasing the distance needed to stop the vehicle.
What could happen: If the vehicle unexpectedly needs an extended braking distance, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S01. Note: This recall supersedes 15V-710. Any vehicle previously repaired under…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 E-350.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V046000 (manufacturer code 16S01).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 E-350 and E-450 vehicles manufactured November 3, 2014, to December 10, 2015 and equipped with a 6.8L engine and an optional trailer brake controller. The trailer braking system may fail, increasing the distance needed to stop the vehicle.
Consequence: If the vehicle unexpectedly needs an extended braking distance, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S01. Note: This recall supersedes 15V-710. Any vehicle previously repaired under 15V-710 will need to be repaired again.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Portable jump starter
- 2016 Ford E-350 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (2), Body / structure (1), Seats (1), Brakes (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (5)
08/03/2023 · Transmission / drivetrain
The contact owns a 2016 Ford E-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to Ford Campaign Number:19B40 (Coast Clutch Cylinder and One-Way Clutch Replacement). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was mad…
03/27/2019 · Body / structure
THE ECONOLINE VAN FOR THE EXHAUST ODOR, WHEN WE FIRST TESTED THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING (NO EXHAUST HOSE ON THE TAILPIPE) THE CO DETECTOR READ 49 PPM AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES. WHEN WE TESTED THE SECOND TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SAME SPOT BUT A EXHAUST HOSE RUN FROM THE TAILPIPE TO OUTSIDE THE SHOP AND THE CO DETECTOR READ 9 PPM AFTER…
03/20/2018 · Seats
VEHICLE IS UPFIITTED BY MORGAN OLSON WITH SEATS BY FREEDMAN SEATING. THE PIN THAT HOLDS THE SEAT PEDESTAL TO THE SEAT BASE FALLS OUT AND THE SEAT FALLS TO ITS LOWEST POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL OF OUR FLEET TRUCKS. THE DETENT BALL SPRING IS TO WEAK. WE HAVE MODIFIED 2 OF OUR VEHICLES BY DRILLING OUT THE BALL AND INSTALLING HAIRPIN…
03/02/2018 · Transmission / drivetrain
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CONTROL CABLE CONTACTS THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY, THEREFORE WHEN APPLYING/RELEASING THE PARKING BRAKE THE CABLE IS GETTING CHAFFED.
03/02/2018 · Brakes
THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE IS ROUTED THROUGH THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL AREA IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE TIRE CONTACTS IT DURING NORMAL STEERING/SUSPENSION MOVEMENTS AND IS CHAFFING THE CABLE.