2006 Ford E-350 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2006 Ford E-350 most often describe engine stalls or sudden shutdowns while driving, and fuel tank lining that flakes and clogs the fuel system, mostly on diesel vans. Steering that suddenly fails or feels loose, and a sudden loss of brake assist, also appear in the complaints, some at highway speed. The stall and fuel tank complaints generally come at higher mileage, while the steering feel complaints appear at lower mileage.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine stalls or shuts off while driving

   • 10 complaints (19%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 2.7 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2017

   Owners describe the engine stalling or shutting off, sometimes without warning, while driving at speed, while braking, or at very low speed. Some say the engine restarted right away, while others say it took a long wait, and power steering or brakes sometimes dropped out along with the engine. The dealer could not duplicate some of these stalls, and in other cases found an oil cooling or injector fault or replaced parts such as an alternator. Where mileage is given, these complaints fall between about 40,000 and 140,000 miles, and some describe stalls at highway speed.

   What to check: Ask whether the injectors, oil cooler, and alternator have been inspected or replaced, and whether any stall complaints are on record for the vehicle. On a test drive, check that the engine idles and runs steadily, and watch for stalling when slowing down.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Failure of injectors and internal oil cooler LED to immediate engine shut down causing immediate loss of power steering, power brakes, etc. This happened on two separate occasions, (1 while driving on interstate during 8am morning traffic, 2 while towing a 5th wheel rv in heavy afternoon traffic in a construction zone with no shoulder available for me to get off highway). As I often pull rv's to the far west, it greatly concerns me as to what the outcome would be if this happens while on a 6% downgrade in the mountains. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10210756, filed 2007-12, 39,900 miles

   “Ford 6.0 diesel engines have issues in respect to the seals on the oil pumps for the injection system. It is not a question of if the seals will fail, it's when. When the seals fail, the engine will shut down completely leaving the driver without power steering or brakes. I have two (2) vehicles fail in traffic causing the drivers to attempt to exit the roadway without being hit by another vehicle. The issue seems to be related to the o-ring seals used through-out the injection system. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10329140, filed 2010-05, 80,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel tank lining flaking and clogging fuel system

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 5.1 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2006–2018

   Owners report the inside coating of the fuel tank flaking or separating, with debris reaching the fuel filter and fuel system. Owners describe loss of power, rough running, shaking, and in some cases stalls or fuel pump failure, sometimes after repeated filter changes. Some owners had injectors and a fuel regulator replaced before a new tank, pump, and filters were needed, and the dealer was not always able to resolve the problem. Where mileage is given, these complaints fall between about 80,000 and 107,000 miles, and most name a diesel van.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel tank has been inspected for lining flakes, and whether any fuel tank or fuel system service bulletin was applied. Ask a shop to check the fuel filter for rust or metal debris, and ask about any past loss of power or rough running.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After many times at several dealerships explaining loss of power, shaking and bucking while on the highway, smoke when starting, rough running. Dealers not able to fix specific problem. I stated that when fuel filter was changed by my mechanic he tells me my tank is delaminating and needs to be replaced. I tell one dealer and show him the contents of the filter replacement which is rusty metal and flakes and he says how do I not know that that didn't come from someone else truck.that was from kennedy Ford in jenkintown pa. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11115882, filed 2018-08, 107,000 miles

   “Aluminum coating delaminating from fuel tank in 2006 Ford e 350 diesel van. This problem causes vehicle to stall, frequent filter changes, fuel pump failure.”

   NHTSA complaint #10311494, filed 2010-02, 85,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering suddenly failing while driving

   • 9 complaints (17%)
   • median 42,466 mi at 3.4 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2014

   Owners describe steering going out or failing completely while driving, with the wheel turning freely and the vehicle becoming hard to control. In some reports the power steering dropped out along with engine power. Another describes a stability system that ran self-tests while driving and briefly removed brake and steering control, and the complete steering mechanism was reportedly replaced in some cases. Where mileage is given, these complaints range from about 45,000 to 123,000 miles, and the failures happened while the vehicle was moving.

   What to check: Ask whether the steering gear has been replaced, and whether the stability system has been checked for self-test faults. On a test drive, check steering response at low and highway speeds, and ask for records of any power steering repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The steering on our 2006 pleasure-way rv van conversion model excel ts on a Ford E-350 chassis completely gave out while the vehicle was being driven. Fortunately, this occurred on a residential side street near our home after a stop sign, so the vehicle could be slowed to a stop with no further damage. The vehicle was towed to a local rv repair shop, and the complete steering mechanism - steering gear and core for steering box - had to be replaced, at a total cost of $1,603.96. The old parts are available. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10300303, filed 2010-01, 45,033 miles

   “Apparently the advanced track system (stabilizes the van to prevent rollover) automatically performs tests. The problem is that it does it randomly and while I'm driving. When it is in test mode, I temporarily loose control of my brakes and steering!!!!! It seems more frequent in that it has done it twice in the past month, today being one of the times. I actually rear ended someone today because my brakes did not work!!!!!! I think the system is a good idea but the self testing causing loss of control is dangerous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10354414, filed 2010-09, 123,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Loose, stiff, or vibrating steering

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 22,195 mi at 1.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2014

   Owners describe steering that feels loose and weaves at highway speed, and steering that is stiff and does not self-center after lane changes. Some also report a constant pull to one side, even after alignment, and a clicking near the steering column when turning. According to complaints, the dealer balanced tires and later replaced the steering gear box and performed an alignment without resolving the vibration, and could not duplicate the clicking noise. Where mileage is given, these complaints range from about 100 to 27,000 miles, and some describe it at highway speed.

   What to check: Ask whether the steering gear box, alignment, and tire balance have all been checked, and whether the pull or vibration was resolved. On a test drive, check for pull and wander at highway speed, and see whether the steering returns to center after a lane change.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Upon receipt of the vehicle from my van pool office it was noticed that the steering was stiff and did not self center after making lane changes. The steering will continue to go in the direction of the lane you moved into. It also has a constant pull to the left when going straight. In 7/06 it was noticed that the side doors made a loud popping sound once each way we drove to/from work. After about two weeks I determined that it was the top latch becoming disengaged. When this happens the door rattles.”

   NHTSA complaint #10164579, filed 2006-08, 100 miles

   “This vehicle is the chassis for a 2006 pleasure way industries excel ts model class b van conversion. The maintenance of this van has been excellent with records to prove such. Since our purchasing this vehicle in may of 2012, when it is driven at highway speeds higher than 50 MPH, the steering becomes loose and the front end weaves back and forth. The steering also pulls to the right even with proper alignment. Twice the driver nearly lost control due to the unresponsive steering. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10471406, filed 2012-08, 27,390 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Sudden loss of brake assist or hard pedal

   • 13 complaints (25%)
   • median 77,500 mi at 3.0 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2024

   Owners describe the brake pedal suddenly becoming hard or not moving, feeling like pushing against a wall, in some cases at highway speed. Some describe a brake line rupturing in a driveway, which left no brakes, and another describes a stability system test that briefly removed brake control. According to complaints, the dealer sometimes could not diagnose the failure, and towing was needed. Where mileage is given, these complaints range from about 75,000 to 123,000 miles, and the failures were described while the vehicle was moving.

   What to check: Ask whether the brake booster, master cylinder, and brake lines have been inspected or replaced, and whether any ABS or stability warning lights have been recorded. On a test drive, check pedal firmness and braking response at low and highway speeds, and look for leaks or damage on the brake lines.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While traveling on interstate highway at approx. 70 MPH. I had a total power brake failure. Pedal felt like I was pushing against a wall. I was able to slow vehicle while I was standing on brake pedal.”

   NHTSA complaint #10430134, filed 2011-10, 112,970 miles

   “Brakes line rapture on front left line in driveway with foot on pedal had had feel of having brakes put van in drive started out of car port got on the down grade of the driveway pushed brake pedal and had no brakes to stop the vehicle I sideswiped a tree to keep from rolling In to to neighbors house”

   NHTSA complaint #11632071, filed 2024-12

Buying note. For a used 2006 E-350, ask for records of engine, injector, and fuel tank repairs, and whether the fuel filter has been checked for debris. A test drive at highway speed, with a steering and brake check, can show whether steering or brake assist problems are present.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 48 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.