Why do the power door locks on my Ford E-350 van unlock by themselves or quit working?

Short answer: If all the locks on an E-350 cycle by themselves or quit, check the fuse, then look for a lock control (memory lock) module that has gotten wet and for broken wires in the door jambs. If just one door won't lock, it's usually that door's actuator or its wiring. Pulling the lock fuse and using the key is a stopgap.

Symptom: The locks pop open on their own, sometimes while parked, none of them work, or one door won't lock with the switch.

What to check first

1. Run your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2. Check the power lock fuse.
3. Check whether the problem affects all doors (module, fuse or wiring) or one door (actuator).
4. Look for water stains or corrosion around the lock module in the body wall above the right rear tire.
5. Flex the wiring at each door jamb while watching the locks.

Likely causes

1. Lock control (memory lock) module getting wet. One owner said the lock control board on these vans sits on the body wall near the back and gets wet. A wet or corroded module can make the locks act on their own or stop working.
2. Blown fuse. If none of the locks work, check the power lock fuse before buying parts.
3. Door lock actuator. The actuator is the small motor in each door that moves the lock. When one fails, that one door won't lock with the switch.
4. Broken wires in the door jamb. Wires that flex every time the door opens can crack and cause random lock or unlock signals.

What it usually costs

Owners in these threads didn't post prices.

Is it safe to keep driving?

The van drives fine, but locks that unlock on their own leave tools and cargo exposed. Lock it with the key if you can, and fix it soon.

DIY or shop?

Fuses, actuators and jamb wiring are DIY with trim tools. Tracking down a module fault may be easier for a shop.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Related recalls: NHTSA lists recall 99V046000 for some 1999 vans with 60/40 side cargo doors: the door latch strikers can crack. That's about doors staying latched, not the power locks, but it's worth a VIN check on a 1999. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 3 keyword-matched complaints for Ford E-350 / Econoline 1995–2014 (of 152 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-30; keywords: door lock, locks, unlock, lock actuator) (NHTSA returned no data for 78 model-year queries). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In 1998 E350 Ford 1 ton van. Unlocks by itself! on Car Talk, a 1998 E-350 with power locks all around would sometimes unlock on its own, which was a problem with tools inside. One member's quick workaround was to pull the power lock fuse and use the key.
• In How to replace the door lock controll board ford e350 on Car Talk, none of the power locks worked on a 2000 E-350 Club Wagon. The owner said the lock control board sits on the wall near the back door and gets wet, and had already been through two. Members said to rule out a blown fuse, broken wires and bad actuators first, and described the 'memory lock module' as sitting in the wall above the right rear tire.
• In 2011 Ford E350 - Door lock help on Car Talk, on a 2011 E-350 the driver's door lock didn't work while the others did. A member said it could be a wiring problem or the lock actuator in that door.

Quick tip

Work vans get rained into and hosed out. If the whole system goes crazy, look for water first.

Vehicle focus: Ford E-350 / Econoline vans and wagons, 1995-2014.

Safety / mechanic note

If a side or rear cargo door won't stay latched, Verify with a mechanic.