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1994 problems

FaultScore report

1994 Ford E-350 problems

Owners have filed 60 complaints about the 1994 Ford E-350 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2011. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 26 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Ford E-350 All 1994 cars

FaultScore 70/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Ford E-350.

How this is worked out

The numbers

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

230,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

25%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.

Complaint volume — 62: Against the median year of the Ford E-350. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100: 20% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 43: 25% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1994 compares with every other Ford E-350

Click any bar to open that year's report.

1 1 2 2 22 51 53 60 93 59 96 70 77 63 59 61 59 70 80 76 23 56 11 21 19 22 32 23 10 5 17 5 4 2 30 20 3 2 1

83 86 88 89 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1994 Ford E-350

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Brakes 17 28.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 435,448 mi

Engine & Cooling 10 16.7%

0 crashes, 2 fires · median 230,000 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 7 11.7%

Tires 6 10.0%

Median failure at 285,359 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 5 8.3%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 25,000 mi

Lights 5 8.3%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Suspension 4 6.7%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 44,000 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 2 3.3%

Median failure at 132,472 miles

Electrical System 2 3.3%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 1.7%

Steering 1 1.7%

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 11 45.8%

Cooling System 3 12.5%

Automatic Transmission 3 12.5%

Driveshaft 2 8.3%

Tread/Belt 2 8.3%

Hazard Flashing Warning Lights 1 4.2%

Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 1 4.2%

Upper Ball Joint 1 4.2%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jul 1995 peak 5 Jul 2011

NHTSA investigations into the 1994 Ford E-350

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA95012 Opened 31 Mar 1995 Closed 28 May 1996 POWER TRAIN

FAILURE OF SERPENTINE BELT

AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED.

Recalls on the 1994 Ford E-350

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

14V197000 16 Apr 2014

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply, Inc. (Cummings) is recalling various model year 1994-2011 Ford and Chevrolet vans equipped with Braun NCL-2, and NVL-2 wheel chair lifts manufactured November 20, 2006, through September 10, 2010. Over time, and with frequent use, the roll stop latches on the outer barrier of the lifts in these vans may become bent or misaligned.

Risk: A wheelchair occupant may defeat or ride over the insufficiently latched roll stop. If this occurs when the lift platform is in an elevated position, the wheelchair's occupant could fall and sustain injury.

09V399000 13 Oct 2009

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Risk: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

08V051000 4 Feb 2008

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.

Risk: AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.

06V286000 1 Aug 2006

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Risk: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

93V194000 23 Nov 1993

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE PARKING BRAKE APPLICATION FORCE FOR A FOOT OPERATED CONTROL SYSTEM SHOULD NOT EXCEED 125 POUNDS TO HOLD THE VEHICLE ON A 30% GRADE. INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL AND A WIRE HARNESS MAY INCREASE THE NEEDED PEDAL FORCE TO GREATER THAN 125 POUNDS TO SET THE PARKING BRAKE TO HOLD THE VEHICLE ON THE 30% GRADE.

Risk: THE INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE FOOT PEDAL AND THE WIREHARNESS MAY NOT ALLOW THE PARKING BRAKE TO FULLY SET. IF THIS OCCURS WHEN THEVEHICLE IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, IT MAY ROLL, CAUSING A CRASH.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Filed 8 Dec 2006 Detroit, MI Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

1994 E350 CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS A MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THE TRUCK HAD A BAD WATER PUMP AND THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10176426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 28 Aug 2001 Buda, TX Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH

CONSUMER STATES WHEN HE RETURNED TO VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT HEADLIGHTS WERE ON, WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR THE LIGHT SWITCH WAS ON IS OFF POSITION, AND AT THAT TIME, THAT IS WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, CONSUMER DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY WHICH STOPPED THE SMOKE, CONSUMER REMOVED THE MALFUNCTIONED SWITCH THAT SHORTED OUT, AND HAS SINCE REPLACED THE SWITCH.

NHTSA complaint #785444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 2 Jun 1999 Bayshore, NY Fire 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALTERNATOR FEED WIRE HAD RUBBED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE RADIATOR SUPPORT, SHORTING OUT AND IGNITING THE HYDROGEN GASSES PRODUCED BY THE BATTERY BEING CHARGED RESULTING IN FIRE, DRIVER SUSTAINED SMOKE INHILATION. NLM

NHTSA complaint #545806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 19 Apr 1999 Elkins Park, PA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS LOCKED UP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. VEHICLE HIT TRAFFIC LIGHT POLE WHILE GOING 30MPH. VEHICLE HAD NO AIR BAGS. HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED BY MECHANIC & NOTHING WAS FOUND. POLICE REPORT #RPC412/OFCR PAULESKI #2599 2156863040/3041.

NHTSA complaint #836816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 4 Apr 1997 Roseburg, OR Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

A POOR DIESIGN WITH POWER STROKE ENGINES, THE FUEL PUMP IS LOCATED ON TOP OF ENGINE AND THE TURBO CHARGER IS DIRECTLY BEHIND THE FUEL PUMP, A FUEL LEAK OCCURS CAUSING DIESEL FUMES, IT OVERFILLS AND A SPILLAGE IS ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND BY THE TURBO CHARGER WHICH, IN TURN, CAUSES A FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #810713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 31 Dec 1996 Middletown, NJ Fire 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE FIRE, CAUSING INJURY.

NHTSA complaint #511660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Filed 29 Jul 2011 at 236,000 miles Overland Park, KS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH WITH SPEED CONTROL ENGAGED. TRUCK AHEAD OF ME APPLIED BRAKES. I APPLIED MY BRAKES. SPEED CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE. BRAKE FROZE IN 'HIGH' ('OFF') POSITION WITHOUT ANY BRAKE APPLICATION. PASSING GEAR WAS ENGAGED AND VEHICLE SHOT FORWARD. FOOT CONTACT WITH BRAKE OR ACCELERATOR DID NOT AFFECT ACCELERATION OR SHUT OFF SPEED CONTROL. I MANUALLY TURNED OFF THE SPEED CONTROL NARROWLY AVOIDING A COLLISION. TESTED THE SYSTEM ON AN OPEN STRETCH OF INTERSTATE LATER IN THE DAY AND THE SITUATION DUPLICATED ITSELF 4 TIMES. VEHICLE IS AT DEALERS NOW FOR INSPECTION: OLATHE FORD, OLATHE KS

NHTSA complaint #10416209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 20 Dec 2010 at 435,448 miles Amherst, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

SUDDEN BRAKE HOSE FAILURE. 1994 FORD DIESEL E350 W/4-WHEEL ABS. BRAKE HOSE FAILURE DUE TO RUSTED PORTION OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY . THE AREA THAT RUSTED AWAY IS THE CRIMPED CONNECTION WHICH JOINS THE RUBBER HOSE TO THE STEEL FITTING AT THE CALIPER END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY. THIS RUST IS NOT VISIBLE WHILE DOING A ROUTINE INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM BECAUSE IT IS COVERED BY A RUBBER SLEEVE. APPARENTLY WATER/MOISTURE IS COLLECTING UNDER THIS RUBBER SLEEVE AND CORRODING THE STEEL CRIMPED AREA OF THE FITTING UNTIL THERE IS NO MORE OF A SECURE CONNECTION OF THE RUBBER HOSE TO THE STEEL , THEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND THE FLUID IS PRESSURIZED IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM THE RUBBER HOSE WILL BLOW AWAY FROM THE STEEL FITTING. (IDENTICAL FAILURE IN NHTSA DATABASE MAY 06, 2002 - TOMS RIVER, NJ).

NHTSA complaint #10371271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 13 Aug 2009 at 230,000 miles Jacksonville, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

WHEN I AM DRIVING MY 1994 E350 DIESEL TRUCK, THERE WILL BE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES RESULTING IN A LOSS OF ABILITY TO STOP THE TRUCK. FORTUNATELY, I WAS TRAVELING AT A SLOW SPEED WITH PLENTY OF CLEARANCE AHEAD OF ME AND WAS ABLE TO PULL THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD AND HAVE IT TOWED IN TO A MECHANIC SHOP. SO FAR THE SERPENTINE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED, A NEW TENSIONER INSTALLED, AND A NEW IDLER PUT IN. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. I SEE THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED # 9610030000 BY NHTSA FOR 1994 FORD ECONOLINE E350 TRUCKS WITH SERPENTINE BELT PROBLEMS AND THAT THE FORD DEALERS HAVE AGREED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. WHEN I CALL FORD, THEY SAY THAT MY VIN# IS NOT AMONG THOSE THAT WERE RECALLED. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME I HAVE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES DUE TO A SERPENTINE BELT MALFUNCTION. I BELIEVE THAT MORE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED THAT YEAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10280328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 13 Aug 2009 at 230,000 miles Jacksonville, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

NHTSA complaint #10280328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 9 Feb 2009 at 285,359 miles EL Paso, TX

TIRES

WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD AND NOTICEABLE VIBRATION IN VAN. TOOK VAN TO SEARS SERVICE CENTER IN LAS CRUCES. MECHANIC ADVISED THAT ONE OF THE TIRES WAS COMING APART FROM INSIDE OUT. TIRE HAD A VERY NOTICEABLE WEAVE PATTERN. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10258042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 8 Dec 2006 Detroit, MI Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

1994 E350 CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS A MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THE TRUCK HAD A BAD WATER PUMP AND THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10176426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 20 Jul 2006 at 28,945 miles Waldron, AR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

1994 FORD E350, CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE. *KB AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER DROVE IT DIRECTLY TO AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALERSHIP FOR AND INITIAL INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING AND DOUBTED HIS ABILITY TO GET IT REPAIRED UNDER THE VEHICLE'S EXTENDED WARRANTY, SINCE IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN INOPERATIVE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. FOR SEVERAL DAYS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE SALES DEALER. MESSAGES WERE LEFT BUT NONE OF THE CALLS WERE RETURNED. THE CONSUMER FINALLY SPOKE WITH THE OWNER OF THE DEALER WHO REPUDIATED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND BOASTED THAT HE HAD THE CONSUMER'S INITIAL ON THREE SEPARATE DOCUMENTS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD AS-IS.

NHTSA complaint #10163672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 25 Aug 2004 at 25,000 miles South Wales, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

REPAIR SHOP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT WIRES MELTED ON THE TANK'; THE PROBLEM WAS NOT YET RESOLVED.*AK

NHTSA complaint #10089735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 11 Feb 2004 Pittsburgh, PA

TIRES

THERE ARE METAL LINES POSITIONED OVER THE LEFT REAR TIRE. THE DEBRIS AND WATER FROM THE ROAD CAUSED THESE METAL LINES TO RUST AND LEAK, CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO DROP ONTO THE TIRE. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE COULD CAUSE THE TIRES TO LOSE TRACTION WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10057944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 11 Feb 2004 Pittsburgh, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

NHTSA complaint #10057944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 23 Jun 2003 OLD Saybrook, CT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN TRYING TO STOP ABRUPTLY ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM TAKES OVER WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LOSE BRAKE POWER. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #10024704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 10 Jan 2003 at 44,000 miles Rogers, MN

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

ACTUALLY THE COMPLAINT IS IN REGARD TO A NEAR MISS CONDITION WHILE DRIVIING MY 1994 DAMON ULTRASPORT (FORD E350) MOTOR HOME. WHILE REURNING FROM VACATION I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING ON THE FRONT OF MY MOTORHOME WAS LOOSE AND AS I WAS PASSED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER RIG IN IOWA ON INTERSTATE 80 THE WIND TURBULANCE CAUSED MY VEHICLE STEERING TO BE VERY ERRATIC. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A SERVICE CALL AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THE SERVICE MECHANIC AT MONTICELLO FORD. THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICHLE AND SAID THE TOP BALL JOINTS WERE WORN APPROXIMATELY AN 1/8". FORD SAID THE TOLERANCE IS 1/4' AND MY WARRANTY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS MEMORY STEERING BY THE MECHANIC. IN THE ABSENCE OF WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR AN $800 REPAIR, HE RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE THE STEERING DAMPENER TO SEE IF IT HELPS MITIGATE THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMED TO REDUCE THE PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT ELIMINATED IT. HE DOES NOT RECOMMEND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WITH THE BALL JOINTS BEING SO LOOSE. HE ALSO MENTIONED HE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHY FORD SPECIFIES A 1/4" WHEN CHRYSLER SPECIFIES 1/16" WERE LIMITS ON THE BALL JOINTS. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT FORD HAS A SPECIFICATION THAT IS NOT REALISTIC AND PUTS THE LIVES OF THEIR VAN AND MOTORHOMES DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS AT RISK EPSPECIALLY ON FREEWAYS WHERE DRIVERS GO 70-75MPH IN SEMI RIGS CAUSING VEHICLES NEAR THEM TO BE IN JEPARDY IS THEIR STEERING IS AS LOOSE AS FORD ALLOWS.

NHTSA complaint #10000908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 25 Sep 2002 NEW Hudson, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT AND THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT THE MANUFACTURER PAY FOR AT LEAST HALF THE BILL FOR THE FAILED COMPONENT. NLM

NHTSA complaint #567176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 10 May 2002 Wethersfield, CT

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. REGULATOR WAS SUPPOSED TO READ AT A VERY LOW NUMBER, BUT WHEN VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING, IT WAS READING AT 90 LBS. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE REGULATOR IS SUPPOSED TO REGULATE PRESSURE TO 35 PSI. VEHICLE WAS STILL DRIVE ABLE, BUT WAS RUNNING VERY RICH DUE TO REGULATOR MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA complaint #8009564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Dec 2001 Geneva, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE ADJUSTING TILT MECHANISM FOR STEERING COLUMN WIRING HARNESS SEPARATED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS/ TURN SIGNALS, AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.