Is the 2017 Ford E-350 reliable?

The 2017 Ford E-350 has 15 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2017 Ford E-350?

Top problems: STEERING (4 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (3 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Ford E-350?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): SEATS, EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2017 Ford E-350?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2017 Ford E-350 is approximately $1,607/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2017 Ford E-350

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Ford E-350 has 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 20. The most common issue is steering problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: while driving on interstate at the speed of 75 mph went over a small bump on road that had been repaired and my truck went into a severe front end shake and wobble that i just about went into the ditch. (scared to death) slowed down to 10 mph and it stopped so i slowly regained speed only to find th. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

4 complaints

27%

• WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT THE SPEED OF 75 MPH WENT OVER A SMALL BUMP ON ROAD THAT HAD BEEN REPAIRED AND MY TRUCK WENT INTO A SEVERE FRONT END SHAKE AND WOBBLE THAT I JUST ABOUT WENT INTO THE DITCH. (SCARED TO DEATH) SLOWED DOWN TO 10 MPH AND IT STOPPED SO I SLOWLY REGAINED SPEED ONLY TO FIND TH
• EXPERIENCED THE INFAMOUS FORD "DEATH WOBBLE" AFTER HITTING A ROAD DIP AT 65MPH WHILE TRAVELLING TO FL. I WAS PULLING OUR 5TH WHEEL CAMPER. I RE-EXPERIENCED IT AGAIN 15 TIMES DURING THE SAME TRIP!!! FRONT END SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL YOU SLOW DOWN BELOW 40, WHICH IS A HAZARD ON A FREEWAY! OCCURRE
• WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND GO OVER A BUMP IN ROAD THE TRUCK GOES INTO A DEATH WOBBLE AND YOU NEED TO IMMEDIATELY HIT THE BRAKES AND SLOW DOWN TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP TO GET THE TRUCK BACK UNDER CONTROL. VERY LIFE THREATENING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD TO TAKE BACK TO DEALER FOR SAME REA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT THE SPEED OF 75 MPH WENT OVER A SMALL BUMP ON ROAD THAT HAD BEEN REPAIRED AND MY TRUCK WENT INTO A SEVERE FRONT END SHAKE AND WOBBLE THAT I JUST ABOUT WENT INTO THE DITCH. (SCARED TO DEATH) SLOWED DOWN TO 10 MPH AND IT STOPPED SO I SLOWLY REGAINED SPEED ONLY TO FIND TH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Ford E-350

Based on 11 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 21K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

SEATS18/03/2019

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."

Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

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.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Ford E-350

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,607

Full coverage / month

$134

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-4%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1607

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford E-350 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2017 E-350, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 15 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT THE SPEED OF 75 MPH WENT OVER A SMALL BUMP ON ROAD THAT HAD BEEN REPAIRED AND MY TRUCK WENT INTO A SEVERE FRONT END SHAKE AND WOBBLE THAT I JUST ABOUT WENT INTO THE DITCH. (SCARED TO DEATH) SLOWED DOWN TO 10 MPH AND IT STOPPED SO I SLOWLY REGAINED SPEED ONLY TO FIND TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: WE ORDERED A 2017 WITH AN ADVERTISED GVW OF 14,500 AND GCVW OF 22,000 (E450) BUT THE MANUFACTURER SUBSTITUTED A 2018 PRODUCT WITH A GCVW OF 18,500 (E350) AND GVW OF ONLY 12,500 WHICH IN MY OPINION IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN CONSIDERING THAT MOST VEHICLES SOLD WILL LIKELY BE OVERWEIGHT WHEN IN USE AND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED TWICE IN SEPTEMBER 2018. ONCE WHILE IN REVERSE; THE OTHER WHILE IN DRIVE. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY OCCURRED. THIS IS A NEW VEHICLE. THE TRUCK WAS STATIONARY AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE IN DRIVE. I WAS SLOWLY BACKING UP IN A PARKING LOT, WITH MY FOOT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: THIS VEHICLE IS USED AS AN AMBULANCE. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN TWO MAJOR ACCIDENTS, ONCE GOING FORWARD FROM A STATIONARY POSITION THROUGH OUR BUILDING GARAGE DOOR AND THE OTHER WHILE IN REVERSE TRYING TO SLOW DOWN BACKING UP AND GOING THROUGH AN INTERIOR BUILDING WALL. T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)