2000 Ford E-350 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2000 Ford E-350 most often describe tires that blew out or separated at highway speeds, and fuel tank linings that flake, clog the fuel pickup, or leak. Several also report recall repairs held up by missing parts, front suspension parts cracking or wearing, and cruise control concerns, while spark plugs blowing out of the engine appear in a few reports. Recorded mileage ranges widely, from 8,000 to 203,304 miles, so these reports cover both lightly used and high-mileage vans.

1. 1
   Tires

   Tire tread separation and blowouts

   • 16 complaints (27%)
   • median 32,937 mi at 3.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2013

   Owners describe tires that blew out or separated at highway speeds, often after a vibration, flapping noise, or sudden loud bang. One of these led to a loss of control and a rollover, and another describes a worn tire being replaced before its steel belts failed. Several complaints involve ambulances or other vans, and some say the separation began on the inner side of the tire. Recorded mileage for these complaints ranges from 29,875 to 76,544 miles, and many were filed between 2000 and 2004.

   What to check: Check the tire date codes, tread depth, and any bulges, uneven wear, or cracking, and test for vibration at highway speed. The complaints name several tire makes, so ask which tires are fitted and whether any were replaced after a failure.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “As I was driving the 2000 Ford e350 uhaul the rear right tire disintergrated and blew out while driving at 55 MPH on a very hot day in northern california. I temporarily lost control of the truck but managed to pull off the road where I waited a long time for the highway patrol to rescue me. You folks need to seriously investigate uhaul, firestone, and Ford for putting my life at risk and selling dangerous crappy tires. Thank you. ( DOT number: tire size: huge )”

   NHTSA complaint #726673, filed 2000-08

   “I was traveling down highway 528 on 7/1/04 at around 9 a.m., my speed was approximately 75 MPH, the front drivers side thread separated from the tire causing the truck to lift up on one side about two feet. I was in heavy traffic and it almost caused an accident.the impact dented the side of my fender and damaged the trim panel on my truck. The tire was still full of air and I managed to limp on the shoulder of the road to a Ford dealership where they put my spar tire on for free. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10114765, filed 2005-03
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel tank lining flaking, clogging, or leaking

   • 8 complaints (14%)
   • median 140,000 mi at 10.3 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2003–2012

   Owners describe the inside lining of the fuel tank flaking or delaminating, with flakes clogging the fuel pickup or screen. Symptoms include rough running, loss of power on the freeway, stalling, and in one case the engine bucking and losing power while towing a trailer. One complaint says the tank leaked diesel again after a recall repair, and some owners say the tank had to be removed or replaced. Recorded mileage for these complaints ranges from 65,936 to 183,900 miles, and most involve the diesel engine.

   Recall 01V114000

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel tank has been inspected or replaced, and whether any tank-related recall repair was completed and has held. Check for fuel odors or leaks, and watch for rough running or power loss under load.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2000 Ford e350 that started running rough and eventually lost power on the freeway when it was needed I did'nt know what happening to the vehicle it just started sputtering and spewing thick smoke out of the tail pipe. I limped the van to the dealetship and after all diagnosis and replacement of certain fuel parts was said and done it was a clogged fuel sending unit due to a rusty fuel tank caused by delamination of the lining inside the tank. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10304781, filed 2010-02, 183,900 miles

   “While driving on the freeway my van lost almost all power, dropping from 65 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. I had to immediately try and move over to the slow lane. I quickly lost all power and my stopped running. Part of my left rear was slightly out in the traffic lane. I called a tow truck to have my van towed to the Ford dealership that maintains my van. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10116402, filed 2005-04
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Recall repairs delayed, unavailable, or not covered

   • 7 complaints (12%)
   • median 151,152 mi at 7.6 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2009

   Owners describe recall work that could not be completed because the part was not available, and dealers gave repeated or changing dates for the part. In one cruise control case, the speed control was deactivated while the owner waited for the repair. Other complaints say a vehicle was left out of a recall and had to be repaired at the owner's expense, or that a recall repair did not hold. Recorded mileage for these complaints ranges from 42,000 to 203,304 miles, and the complaints were filed between 2004 and 2009.

   Recall 08V051000Recall 01V114000

   What to check: Run the VIN through the manufacturer's recall lookup and ask the dealer for the open recall status and expected part dates. Ask for written records of any recall repair, including whether the fuel tank and speed control work was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Ford has a recall #08s01 on their fused jumper harness .we are a church with two vehicles that are needing this recall. The local dealer metro Ford in tupelo mississippi has not had this part for three months and has not idea when it will come into their shop. Do you have any information on this subject. Can you help me with issue? Paul”

   NHTSA complaint #10219119, filed 2008-02

   “Consumer's vehicle experienced the same problem as stated in recall 01v110000. However, consumer contacted Ford, and was told that this vehicle was not included in the recall. Would have to get the vehicle repaired at consumer's expense.”

   NHTSA complaint #10099417, filed 2004-11
4. 4
   Suspension

   Front suspension cracking, bearing wear, and shimmy

   • 6 complaints (10%)
   • median 148,374 mi at 4.8 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2005

   Owners describe a front spring seat cracking so the frame had to be welded to keep the van in use, and a wheel bearing seizing in a way that could let the wheel come off. Other complaints describe a front end that could detach without grease fittings, and front wheels that shimmy and shake the steering wheel at any speed. In one case the shimmy returned after the dealer had made repeated repairs to the front. Recorded mileage for these complaints ranges from 30,000 to 151,215 miles, and both spring seat complaints were filed in 2005.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have the front spring seats, wheel bearings, and grease fittings inspected, and look for cracks or welds on the frame near the front springs. If there is shimmy or steering shake, ask whether the bulletin on vibration above highway speed after a tire balance was applied and whether the wheels have been balanced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The wheel bearing are seizing up and going bad this problem is ongoing with all these heavy duty pick ups f350 dual diesel. They are supposed to haul heavy loads and if the bearing totally siezes up the wheel will fall off. A mechanic we know says this is a problem the company he works for replaces 10 a week.”

   NHTSA complaint #10032624, filed 2003-08, 30,000 miles

   “While inspecting the vehicle mechanic found that there were no grease fittings which could cause front end to detach. Also vehicle appeared to leak fuel only when full. There had not been a determination of the cause for this problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10034543, filed 2003-08
5. 5
   Vehicle speed control

   Cruise control fire and unintended acceleration reports

   • 11 complaints (19%)
   • median 131,500 mi at 8.4 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2019

   Owners describe a van fire that also damaged a home, with the owner believing the cruise control was responsible. Another describes the van accelerating without warning at highway speed, with braking not slowing it and smoke appearing from the brake pedal area. Other complaints describe cruise control recall work waiting on parts, with dealers giving changing dates. Recorded mileage for these complaints ranges from 42,000 to 203,304 miles, and the complaints were filed between 2008 and 2019.

   Recall 09V399000Recall 07V336000Recall 08V051000

   What to check: Ask whether the speed control deactivation switch and cruise control recall repairs are complete for this VIN, since the recall texts describe a switch that can overheat. On a test drive at low speed in an empty area, check that the brakes and throttle respond normally and that the cruise control turns on and off properly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2000 Ford E-350. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle fire. The consumer stated the fire damaged his house and the van was destroyed. The consumer believed the cruise control was the cause of the fire.”

   NHTSA complaint #10644036, filed 2014-10

   “The contact owns a 2000 Ford E-350. He received recall notice # 08v051000 (vehicle speed control:cruise control). The vehicle was not repaired since an authoried technician could not provide an estimate on when the parts would be available. The failure mileage 203,304”

   NHTSA complaint #10290811, filed 2009-11, 203,304 miles

Buying note. Anyone considering this model year should check the open recall status for the fuel tank and speed control, and ask for records of any recall repair. Tire condition and fuel tank health are the areas these complaints raise most often, so an inspection of both before buying is worthwhile.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 47 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.