The 2015 E-350 with the 6.8L V10 Triton is a workhorse van that suffers from well-documented spark plug ejection issues and transmission cooler failures. When maintained properly it can reach high mileage, but the engine's fundamental design flaw and trans cooler weakness make these expensive gambles in the used market.
Symptoms: Sudden misfire with loud popping or hissing from engine bay, Check engine light with cylinder-specific misfire codes, Loss of power, rough idle, Sometimes catastrophic — plug shoots out completely
Fix: The 2-piece spark plug design and inadequate thread engagement in the aluminum head cause plugs to strip threads or eject. Requires HeliCoil or TimeSert thread repair per cylinder (2-3 hours labor each), sometimes multiple cylinders. Severe cases need head removal and machining. Prevention: replace plugs every 30k-40k miles, never when engine is hot, use anti-seize sparingly.
Estimated cost: $800-1,500 per cylinder for in-chassis repair, $4,000-7,000+ if head removal required
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid in coolant (strawberry milkshake in overflow tank), Coolant in transmission (slipping, erratic shifts, fluid looks pink/foamy on dipstick), Overheating of transmission or engine, Loss of forward gears if contamination is severe
Fix: Factory cooler inside the radiator develops internal leak, mixing ATF and coolant. Requires radiator replacement, full transmission flush (sometimes multiple flushes), cooler line replacement, often external auxiliary cooler addition. If caught late, transmission rebuild needed due to coolant contamination destroying clutches. 6-8 hours labor for cooler/flush, add 15-25 hours if trans needs rebuild.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000 for cooler/radiator/flush if caught early, $4,500-7,500 if transmission rebuild required
Exhaust Manifold Studs Breaking / Leaks
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Loud ticking or tapping from engine, worse on cold start, Exhaust smell in cabin, Visible soot streaks on manifold or head, Check engine light (O2 sensor codes from exhaust leak)
Fix: Manifold studs break due to heat cycling, letting manifolds crack or leak at the flange. Removing broken studs from aluminum heads is time-intensive; often requires drilling and extraction. 4-6 hours per side, both sides commonly affected. Aftermarket stud kits (not OEM bolts) are the fix.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,200 per side depending on stud extraction difficulty
Fuel Pump Driver Module Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start, cranks but won't fire, Intermittent stalling, especially when hot, Loss of fuel pressure, No fuel pump priming sound when key turned on
Fix: The fuel pump driver module (FPDM) mounted on the frame rail fails due to heat and corrosion. It's a separate module from the PCM that controls pump speed. Diagnosis requires checking for power/ground and command signal. Replacement is straightforward once located — 1-1.5 hours labor. Module costs $150-300.
Estimated cost: $350-550
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk or thud when shifting into drive or reverse, Vibration at idle in gear, Excessive driveline movement felt through floor, Visible sag or cracking in rubber mount
Fix: The rear transmission mount deteriorates from engine torque and weight. Inspection from underneath shows torn rubber or collapsed mount. Replacement is simple — 1-1.5 hours labor. Often done alongside engine mounts if they're also worn.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Intake Manifold Runner Control Sticking
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with P2004/P2005/P2006 codes (IMRC stuck), Slight power loss at low RPM, Rough idle, Carbon buildup visible in throttle body
Fix: The intake manifold runner control flaps stick due to carbon buildup on shafts. Requires intake manifold removal, cleaning, and sometimes replacement if bushings are worn. 4-5 hours labor. Can sometimes be cleaned in place with heavy-duty throttle body cleaner if caught early.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200 depending on whether cleaning or replacement needed
Owner tips
Replace spark plugs every 30,000-40,000 miles religiously — engine cold only, torque to spec, never over-torque
Install an auxiliary transmission cooler immediately if towing or hauling heavy loads regularly
Check coolant overflow tank weekly for milky/pink discoloration — early trans cooler leak detection saves $3,000+
Use Motorcraft spark plugs only — aftermarket plugs increase ejection risk
Inspect exhaust manifolds annually for leaks; catch studs before they break into the head
Buy only if priced $3,000-5,000 below market to cover inevitable spark plug thread repairs and trans cooler replacement — otherwise you're inheriting someone else's deferred time bomb.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: Heavy-duty commercial chassis; requires high CCA for 6.8L V10 engine
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Every control module on the 2015-2017 Ford E-350 — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
⚠️ Stores as-built configuration data for body functions, lighting, and accessory control. Configuration must match vehicle options exactly. Security gateway active 2016+.
📍 Engine compartment, driver side firewall mounted on bracket
🔧 Ford IDS with VCM II
⚠️ Requires VIN-specific calibration download and PATS parameter reset. 6.2L V8 and 6.8L V10 use different PCM hardware. Security gateway protocols active 2016+.
Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Module (HVAC)1.2 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.2 hrwith electronic climate control▸ programming details
📍 Behind center dash HVAC control panel
🔧 Ford IDS or self-calibration
⚠️ Manual HVAC systems use non-programmable control head. Electronic systems require actuator calibration after replacement.
Telematics Control Unit (TCU)1.2 hr R&Rdealer / factory tool +0.4 hrwith SYNC Services or fleet telematics▸ programming details
📍 Behind headliner above driver seat area
🔧 Ford IDS with VCM II
⚠️ Requires cellular activation and Ford account setup. Rare on E-350; more common on fleet-spec vehicles with aftermarket telematics.
📍 Frame rail, driver side, forward of rear axle behind fuel tank
🔧 Ford IDS or Autel MaxiSys
⚠️ Requires brake bleeding and ABS pump initialization cycle. Module includes hydraulic control unit. Aftermarket tools capable on 2015-2016; 2017 may require dealer tool.
⚠️ Odometer programming requires dealer tool and legal documentation. Configuration must match vehicle options (tach, gauges). Security gateway active 2016+.
Front Lighting Control Module (FLCM)0.8 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.2 hrwith automatic headlights or DRL▸ programming details
📍 Behind front bumper, driver side, near headlight assembly
🔧 Ford IDS or self-calibration
⚠️ Controls headlight on/off, DRL, and automatic lighting functions. Not present on base models with manual headlight control only.
📍 Under center console between driver and passenger seats, floor-mounted
🔧 Ford IDS with VCM II
⚠️ Crash data must be cleared after deployment. Module is security-linked and requires dealer programming for full functionality. Security gateway active 2016+.
Fuel Pump Driver Module (FPDM)0.7 hr R&Rno codinggasoline engines only
📍 Frame rail, driver side, above rear axle near fuel tank
⚠️ Controls fuel pump speed via PWM signal from PCM. Diesel models use mechanical lift pump without electronic control module.
📍 Integrated with radio head unit in center dash stack
🔧 Ford IDS or Autel MaxiSys
⚠️ SYNC-equipped models require module configuration for Bluetooth and voice features. Base AM/FM units require minimal coding. SYNC 3 not available on E-350.
Parking Aid Module (PAM)0.6 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.1 hrwith rear parking sensors▸ programming details
📍 Behind rear bumper, driver side, mounted to frame rail
🔧 Ford IDS or self-calibration
⚠️ Sensor calibration typically automatic after module replacement. Rare option on E-350 cargo/cutaway models.
Rear View Camera Module (RVCM)0.5 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.1 hrwith rear view camera▸ programming details
📍 Integrated with rear camera assembly above license plate
🔧 Ford IDS or self-calibration
⚠️ Camera module communicates with ACM/SYNC for display. Calibration typically automatic. More common in 2015-2017 than earlier years.
⚠️ Key programming and PATS parameter reset performed through PCM. Requires all keys present for programming. Security gateway active 2016+.
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
Mobility Transportation Services (MobilityTrans) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ford Transit and Ram Promaster vehicles and 2014-2015 Ford Econoline vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: MobilityTrans will notify owners and Freedman Seating dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began May 19, 2019. Owners may contact Mobility Transportation Services customer service at 1-734-453-6452.
SEATS · 19V205000
2019-03-18
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.
Performance
Horsepower
305hp
Torque
420lb-ft
Capability & size
Towing capacity
10,000lb
Payload
4,650lb
Curb weight
6,800lb
Wiper blades
Ford E-Series vans typically use symmetrical 20-inch blades on both sides. No rear wiper on cargo/passenger vans.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2015 Ford E-350 6.8L V10 Triton and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.