IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD E-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 243,000.
2005 Ford E-350
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all E-350 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
90–25K
1125–50K
450–75K
775–100K
9100–150K
3150K+
43 reports with mileage · 12 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Diesel. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports
Power Train complaints
5 reportsDRIVING UPHILL ON I-70 EASTBOUND BY SILVERTHORNE, CO THE ENGINE SIMPLY QUIT. LIMPED TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY AND TRIED TO RESTART - NOTHING. BATTERIES ARE NEW, ETC JUST NO TURNING OVER OF THE ENGINE. THOUGHTS ARE A BAD FICM, WHICH THERE IS SUPPOSEDLY A RECALL BUT FORD DENIED THAT WHEN I CALLED THIS MORNING. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A …
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DRIVING UPHILL ON I-70 EASTBOUND BY SILVERTHORNE, CO THE ENGINE SIMPLY QUIT. LIMPED TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY AND TRIED TO RESTART - NOTHING. BATTERIES ARE NEW, ETC JUST NO TURNING OVER OF THE ENGINE. THOUGHTS ARE A BAD FICM, WHICH THERE IS SUPPOSEDLY A RECALL BUT FORD DENIED THAT WHEN I CALLED THIS MORNING. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SHOP IN ARVADA, CO FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS. SOUNDS LIKE THE EGR SYSTEM IS ABOUT TO GO, THE FICM IS SHOT AND WIRING HARNESS FOR COMPUTER IS GONE - ALL THINGS FORD IS AWARE OF BUT ADAMANTLY REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT. THIS LEAVES THE CONSUMER IN THE POSITION TO HAVE TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF $'S TO REPAIR THEIR DESIGN FLAWS. *TR
I HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE HAVING A SUDDEN MISS FROM THE ENGINE WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. SATURDAY THE SPARKPLUGS AND ONE COIL PACK WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEXT DRIVEN ON SUNDAY EVENING WHERE APPROX. 1/2 MILE FROM THE HOME THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT ANY POWER TO THE STEERING AND BRAKES. INSTRUMENTS LIGHTS WERE STILL WOR…
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I HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE HAVING A SUDDEN MISS FROM THE ENGINE WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. SATURDAY THE SPARKPLUGS AND ONE COIL PACK WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEXT DRIVEN ON SUNDAY EVENING WHERE APPROX. 1/2 MILE FROM THE HOME THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT ANY POWER TO THE STEERING AND BRAKES. INSTRUMENTS LIGHTS WERE STILL WORKING BUT DROPPED TO THE OFF POSITION. I OPENED THE HOOD AND SMELLED ELECTRICAL FUMES, NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG, I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY WITH A PAIR OF CHANNELOCKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME AND I BEGAN TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. I FOUND THAT THE PCM/ECM HAD BEEN RENDERED PERMANENTLY NONFUNCTIONAL CAUSING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE WIRING HAD A 1.5" BY 2" & 3/4" DEEP BURNT/MELTED AREA ON A ROUGHLY 2" ROUND HARNESS. I FURTHER FOUND THAT THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS FROM THE PCM/ECM IN THE FACTORY INSTALLED POSITION HAD BEEN RUBBING FOR SOME TIME ON AN EXHAUST COMPONENT WRAPPED WITH FIBERGLASS. THE PLASTIC WRAPPING AND METAL WRAPPING WAS OBVIOUSLY BREACHED AND EXPOSED THE WIRING TO BE GROUNDED TO THE EXHAUST COMPONENT AND ALSO WAS THE FIBERGLASS ON THE EXHAUST COMPONENT HAD WORN OFF EXPOSING BARE HEATED METAL. THE EXCESSIVE HEAT HELPED TO MELT INTO THE WIRING AND NO FUSES WERE BLOWN. THE PROTECTION HAD BEEN INADEQUATE TO PROVIDE A SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE IS A 5.4L GASOLINE WHICH THE SEALED FUEL SOURCE IS APPROX. 1 FT. AWAY. I THINK ANY OF THE E-SERIES VANS THAT YEAR NEED TO BE INSPECTED BECAUSE OF STALLING AND FIRE ISSUES. I AM A 6'2 230 LB PERSON AND HAD DIFFICULTY SLOWING THE VEHICLE ON A VACANT STREET, STEERING WASN'T AS BAD BUT REQUIRED ADEQUATE FORCE. I DO HAVE PHOTOS OF THE HARNESS AND EXHAUST COMPONENT. THE ECM/PCM IS ROUGHLY $1200.00 AND THE WIRING HARNESS IS AROUND $670.00 BEFORE ANY LABOR OR TECHNICAL COSTS. I WILL INSPECT ALL THE OTHER WIRE LOCATIONS FOR OTHER ISSUES. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. I WAS APPROX. 200 MILES FROM HOME DRIVING ON HWY 71 N IN AR,.STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, AND MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE NO WARNING LIGHTS HAD CAME ON, NO LOSS OF POWER, NOISES OF ANY KIND. I BOUGHT THIS FOR A FAMILY VEHICLE. I HAVE SINCE TALKED WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPEN…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. I WAS APPROX. 200 MILES FROM HOME DRIVING ON HWY 71 N IN AR,.STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, AND MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE NO WARNING LIGHTS HAD CAME ON, NO LOSS OF POWER, NOISES OF ANY KIND. I BOUGHT THIS FOR A FAMILY VEHICLE. I HAVE SINCE TALKED WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING WITH THE FORD FREESTARS.*TR
6.0 POWER STROKE, MANY PROBLEMS SINCE NEW . PURCHASED IN AUG, 05 *JB
Official recalls
1211V131000 · Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner
Feb 24, 2011
BRAUN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2011 PARATRANSIT VANS BUILT ON FORD E-350 CHASSIS FROM APRIL 27, 2005, THROUGH JULY 29, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER GENV EM-1 EVAPORATOR UNITS (EM-1) MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1, 2006 THROUGH DECEMBER 2010, CONTAINING A DELPHI PACK-CON III FUSE HOLDER IN AN ALLIED MOTION MOTOR ASSEMBLY; EM-1 UNIT PART NUMBERS 77-62112-XX AND 77-62512-XX, STARTING WITH SERIAL NUMBER KNT90890232 TO SERIAL NUMBER NNE91230058. DUE TO TIME, TEMPERATURE, AND/OR VIBRATION, THE FUSE MAY LOOSEN IN THE FUSE HOLDER RESULTING IN HIGH RESISTANCE AND ARCING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF SUFFICIENT ARCING OCCURS, THE FUSE HOLDER MAY MELT, AND MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY FLAME, SMOKE AND POTENTIAL FIRE.
Remedy: BRAUN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO CONTACT EITHER CARRIER OR A BRAUN DEALER TO OBTAIN THE FREE REMEDY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-800-793-4741 OR BRAUN AT 1-800-THE-LIFT (1-800-843-5438).
09V325000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility
Aug 3, 2009
QUALITY VANS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 VANS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 2005 AND NOVEMBER 2007, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
Remedy: QUALITY VANS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR QUALITY VANS AT 1-480-464-7007.
09V326000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility
Aug 3, 2009
QUALITY VANS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2006 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
Remedy: QUALITY VANS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR QUALITY VANS AT 1-480-464-7007.
09V306000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility
Jul 29, 2009
CUSTOMIZERS IS RECALLING 6 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS ON MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
Remedy: CUSTOMIZERS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000.
09V275000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility
Jul 15, 2009
FREEWHEEL MOBILITY IS RECALLING 4 MY 2005 FORD E-350 AND MY 2006 FORD E-250 PASSENGER VANS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.
Remedy: FREEWHEEL MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000.
09V271000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility
Jul 14, 2009
FREEWHEEL MOBILITY IS RECALLING 4 MY 2005 FORD E-350 AND MY 2006 FORD E-250 PASSENGER VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS ON MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
Remedy: FREEWHEEL MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000.
09V100000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility
Mar 27, 2009
VAN CONVERSIONS IS RECALLING 52 MY 2004-2007 FORD E-150, E-250 E-350 AND MY 2006 GM SAVANNA 3500 VANS BUILT ON FORD AND GM CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES," THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.
Remedy: VAN CONVERSIONS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR VAN CONVERSIONS AT 610-837-0707.
09V102000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility
Mar 27, 2009
VAN CONVERSIONS IS RECALLING 74 MY 2004-2007 FORD E-150, E-250 E-350 AND MY 2006 GM SAVANNA 3500 VANS BUILT ON FORD AND GM CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
Remedy: VAN CONVERSIONS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR VAN CONVERSIONS AT 610-837-0707.
09V016000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility
Jan 16, 2009
LEADER INDUSTRIES IS RECALLING 14 MY 2005-2006 VANS BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.
Remedy: LEADER INDUSTRIES IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR LEADER INDUSTRIES LEADER INDUSTRIES AT 626-575-0880.
09V015000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility
Jan 15, 2009
LEADER INDUSTRIES IS RECALLING 14 MY 2005-2006 VANS BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS ON MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
Remedy: LEADER INDUSTRIES IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR LEADER INDUSTRIES AT 626-575-0880.
09V014000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility
Jan 14, 2009
ONENESS MOBILITY IS RECALLING 19 MY 1998, AND 2005-2006 E-350 VANS BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.
Remedy: ONENESS MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR ONENESS MOBILITY AT 1-818-267-3000.
05V270000 · Electrical System:wiring
Jun 10, 2005
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE (FICM) WIRE HARNESS OR REPLACED, AND/OR HAVE A NEW INJECTION CONTROL PRESSURE (ICP)) SENSOR CONNECTOR INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA10003 · Hvac Switch Failures
Opened Apr 13, 2010 · Closed Mar 5, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash
This investigation was opened based on one complaint and reports from four transportation fleets alleging 182 blower motor control switch failures.ODI was concerned that these melting and burning switches could lead to an open flame that could spread throughout the vehicle.After a comprehensive review of all data related to overheating blower motor control switches in the subject vehicles, ODI did not identify the existence of a safety defect trend.ODI reviewed 1,036 complaints, claims, and field reports of failed blower motor control switches and determined that only two fires were likely to have been caused by a failing subject blower motor control switch.This represents a failure rate of 0.2 R/100K on a population of 1,076,975 vehicles that have been in service for up to 14 years.ODI has found that when the subject switches do fail and begin to melt, they are constructed in a manner that typically prevents the failing switch from igniting and developing into an open flame.Ford Motor Company has agreed to take two actions to further reduce the likelihood an overheated blower motor switch in the subject vehicles.Ford informed ODI that it has implemented a series of design changes to the subject switch that will help prevent it from developing internal high resistance short circuits.Ford has also informed ODI that it would release a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB-11-11-21) instructing subject vehicle owners to replace the electrical connector at the same time a failed switch is replaced.In light of the low rate of failure resulting in open flame and fire spread on the subject vehicles, and Ford's actions to reduce the likelihood of a switch failure through switch design changes and a TSB, further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following (ODI) numbers: 10427875, 10114393, 10257890For additional information, see the attached closing report.
PE09055 · Hvac Switch Failures
Opened Dec 7, 2009 · Closed Apr 21, 2010
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash
ODI has received 1 complaint and reports from 4 transportation fleets alleging 182 switch failures.Each fleet operates mini buses built on a Ford E350 or E450 cutaway chassis.The OEM HVAC blower switches have melted, smoked, burned or experienced open flame and become inoperable on vehicles in each fleet.Some drivers have reported a burning smell or smoke coming from the dash.One fleet reported a vehicle fire.No injuries were sustained.However, the bus was carrying special needs children when the driver noticed smoke coming from the dash.The driver was able to evacuate the children prior to the vehicle becoming engulfed in flames.This PE has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA) to determine if the blower motor switch failures create a situation where a vehicle fire is possible and presents a safety risk to the driver and other passengers.