FaultScore

FaultScore report

1986 Ford E350 problems

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 1986 Ford E350 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2010. The largest single group is the electrical system.

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

13

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

7

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

How 1986 compares with every other Ford E350

Click any bar to open that year's report.

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

What breaks on a 1986 Ford E350

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

Electrical System 5 38.5%

0 crashes, 5 fires

Engine & Cooling 3 23.1%

0 crashes, 2 fires

Transmission & Drivetrain 2 15.4%
Tires 1 7.7%
Fuel & Propulsion 1 7.7%
Brakes 1 7.7%

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.

Oct 1995 peak 3 Sep 2010

NHTSA investigations into the 1986 Ford E350

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.

PE94065 Opened 19 Aug 1994 Closed 28 Dec 1994 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILS

PE89102 Opened 15 Mar 1989 Closed 1 Aug 1989 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

HEATER HOSE ROUTING

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PE89044 Opened 17 Feb 1989 Closed 19 Apr 1989 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

HEATER HOSE MISROUTING

SUMMARY:CHAMPION HAS FURNISHED HEATER HOSE ROUTING DIAGRAMS WHICHCLEARLY SHOW THAT THE ONLY HEATER HOSE ROUTING EVER USED BY CHAMPIONROUTES THE HOSES FROM THE HEATER, ACROSS THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEAR THERADIATOR, AND DOWN TO THE DRIVERS SIDE FRAME RAIL THE SIDE MOST REMOTEFROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, AND REARWARD ALONG THIS FRAME RAIL TO THE REAROF THE VEHICLE.THIS ROUTING IS THE ROUTING PREFERRED AND MOST HIGHLYRECOMMENDED BY FORD.===

PE89045 Opened 17 Feb 1989 Closed 29 Aug 1989 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

UNDERHOOD FIRES

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PE89046 Opened 17 Feb 1989 Closed 5 May 1989 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

UNDERHOOD FIRES

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PE89047 Opened 17 Feb 1989 Closed 15 Mar 1989 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

UNDERHOOD FIRES

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PE89048 Opened 17 Feb 1989 Closed 21 Jul 1989 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

UNDERHOOD FIRES

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PE89049 Opened 17 Feb 1989 Closed 15 Jun 1989 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

UNDERHOOD FIRES

SUMMARY:AMERICAN MODULAR BODY WENT BANKRUPT AND THE ASSETS WERELIQUIDATED AT AUCTION.ACCORDING TO INDUSTRY SOURCES, NO ONE BOUGHTTHE BUSINESS, OR ASSUMED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR WARRANTY ON THE UNITSTHEY SOLD.===

Recalls on the 1986 Ford E350

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.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 1991125 1,470 units in Canada

Structure

THE AIR DEFLECTOR MAY BE INADEQUATELY BONDED TO THE TRUCK BODY AND MAY SEPARATE AT HIGH SPEED. A DETACHED DEFLECTOR COULD BE HAZARDOUS TO OTHER VEHICLES. CORRECTION: AIR DEFLECTORS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR SIGNS OF SEPARATION. IF SIGNS OF SEPARATION ARE FOUND, THE DEFLECTOR WILL BE REFASTENED USING RIVETS.

Recall 1988140 401 units in Canada

Heater And Defroster

EXTREME OPERATING CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEATER HOSES OR ENGINE BYPASS HOSES. ENGINE COOLANT COULD DISCHARGE ONTO THE ENGINE AND ITS EXHAUST MANIFOLD CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE DUE TO HIGH ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TEMPERATURES. CORRECTION: HOSES AND RADIATOR CAPS WILL BE REPLACED AND ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, A HIGH HEAT RESISTANCE ALUMINIZED STAINLESS STEEL MUFFLER WILL BE INSTALLED.

Recall 1987105 18,656 units in Canada

Structure

1983-87 E-250 AND 350 WITH 7.5 LITRE AND 1985-87 HEAVY DUTY E-250 AND 350 WITH 5.8 LITRE 4V ENGINE AND A GVW OVER 8,500 LBS. THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO GENERATE EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES IN SEVERE DUTY APPLICATIONS, PARTICULARLY IF FUELED WITH OVERLY VOLATILE GASOLINE. THIS CAN CREATE AN ABNORMAL POTENTIAL FOR EXPULSION OF LIQUID FUEL FROM THE FILLER PIPE UPON REMOVAL OF THE FUEL TANK FILLER CAP. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE MODIFIED TO MINIMIZE THE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL EXPULSION AND SHIELD UNDERBODY COMPONENTS FROM EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY HEAT. NOTE: E250 AND 350 CLUB WAGONS AND ECONOLINE VANS AND CHASSIS.

Recall 1987094 372 units in Canada

Fuel System

ON AMBULANCES EQUIPPED WITH 7.5 LITRE ENGINES,VARIOUS FACTORS MAY CAUSE EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY TEMPERATURES OR FUEL SYSTEM OVERPRESSURIZATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKS OR EXPULSION OF FUEL FROM THE FILLER PIPES WHEN THE FILLER CAPS ARE REMOVED. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE A VEHICLE FIRE OR INJURIES COULD RESULT. CORRECTION: THE FUEL VENTING AND EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS WILL BE MODIFIED AND VEHICLES INSPECTED FOR SIGNIFICANT DISCREPANCIES.

Recall 1986079 13,325 units in Canada

Steering

UNDER CERTAIN LOW SPEED TIGHT TURNING CONDITIONS UNDER HIGH LOAD, THE RUBBER WITHIN THE RUBBER ENCASED BALL STUD AND SOCKET JOINT CONNECTING THE STEERING DRAG LINK AND PITMAN ARM MAY DETERIORATE CAUSING GALLING OF THE BALL STUD AND SOCKET.THIS COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SEPERATION OF THE DRAG LINK AND PITMAN ARM AND LOSS OF STEERING. CORRECTION:DRAG LINK ASSEMBLIES WITH STEEL BALL AND SOCKET JOINTS WILL BE INSTALLED.

Recall 1986078 134 units in Canada

Structure

E350 RV AND COMMERCIAL CUTAWAY ECONOLINE VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES WHERE COMPLETED WITH BODIES WHICH RESTRICTED THE DISSAPATION OF UNDERBODY HEAT.IN SUCH A CASE EXTENDED IDLING COULD OVERHEAT THE COMPOSITE GRAPHITE DRIVESHAFT AND,IF A HIGH START UP TORQUE APPLIED,TWIST AND SHORTEN THE DRIVESHAFT CAUSING THE SLIP YOKE TO DISCONNECT. CORRECTION:METAL DRIVESHAFTS WILL BE INSTALLED.

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.

Toledo, OH Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

1986 FORD E350, A FIRE STARTED ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE EXHAUST WAS BENT UPWARD TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE MOTOR HOME, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0332-89)

NHTSA complaint #10357512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norfolk, NY Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE FIRE, OWNER STATED THAT EARLIER IN THE DAY ALTERNATOR WORK WAS DONE, DUE TO PROBLEMS. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS

NHTSA complaint #545265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norfolk, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ENGINE FIRE, OWNER STATED THAT EARLIER IN THE DAY ALTERNATOR WORK WAS DONE, DUE TO PROBLEMS. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS

NHTSA complaint #545265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norfolk, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ABOUT 3:15 P.M. ON MONDAY, 8 MARCH 1999 I EXITED THE OHIO TURNPIKE AT THE BLUE HERON SERVICE AREA, PARKED MY 1986 FORD E-350 VAN BEFORE THE TRAVELERS SERVICES BUILDING, PUT THE IGNITION KEY INTO MY POCKET, AND WENT INTO THE RESTROOM. WHEN I RETURNED TO M

NHTSA complaint #704491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norfolk, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS SEE E-MAIL WHICH IM SENDING AS BEST I KNOW HOW -- SORRY FOR CLUTSYNESS. RJD

NHTSA complaint #704500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Woodlynne, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED 3 TIMES, THIRD OCCURRENCE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #505954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

Toledo, OH Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

1986 FORD E350, A FIRE STARTED ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE EXHAUST WAS BENT UPWARD TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE MOTOR HOME, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0332-89)

NHTSA complaint #10357512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Albuquerque, NM

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

THIS IS THE EXACT FAILURE I HAVE SEEN ON RECALLED TIRES. TREAD HAS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CASING FOR APPROX 1/3 OF THE TIRE CIRCUMFRENCE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THESE TIRES, ALTHOUGH OLD, HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PREFECTLY MAINTAINED AND GARAGE KEPT. THE Y SHOW NO SIGNS OF COLLATERAL DAMAGE SUCH AS HEAT OF SUN EFFECTS. THE TIRE FAILURE OCCURRED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING OR EVIDENCE OF AN IMPENDING FAILURE. I FEEL THAT THE RECALL EFFORTS TOWARDS FIRESTONE SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER ALL OF THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. THESE TIRES ARE ALSO "VD" PLANT CODE TIRES AND THIS FAILURE SUPPORTS THAT THIS PLANT IS THE SOURCE OF OTHER DAMGEROUS PRODUCT.*AK (DOT NUMBER: VDOP/WC TIRESIZE: 215/85R16)

NHTSA complaint #732814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norfolk, NY Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE FIRE, OWNER STATED THAT EARLIER IN THE DAY ALTERNATOR WORK WAS DONE, DUE TO PROBLEMS. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS

NHTSA complaint #545265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norfolk, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ENGINE FIRE, OWNER STATED THAT EARLIER IN THE DAY ALTERNATOR WORK WAS DONE, DUE TO PROBLEMS. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS

NHTSA complaint #545265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norfolk, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ABOUT 3:15 P.M. ON MONDAY, 8 MARCH 1999 I EXITED THE OHIO TURNPIKE AT THE BLUE HERON SERVICE AREA, PARKED MY 1986 FORD E-350 VAN BEFORE THE TRAVELERS SERVICES BUILDING, PUT THE IGNITION KEY INTO MY POCKET, AND WENT INTO THE RESTROOM. WHEN I RETURNED TO M

NHTSA complaint #704491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norfolk, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS SEE E-MAIL WHICH IM SENDING AS BEST I KNOW HOW -- SORRY FOR CLUTSYNESS. RJD

NHTSA complaint #704500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Travers City, MI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER STATES THAT HE HAS REPLACED THE REAR GAS SENDER IN THE REAR GAS TANK, REPLACED (4) TIMES IN A (10) YEAR PERIOD. TIME TO BE REPLACED ONCE AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #802690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Woodlynne, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED 3 TIMES, THIRD OCCURRENCE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #505954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Barefoot B, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

OIL FILTER ADAPTER EXTENSION CONTINUOUSLY LOOSENS. *DSH

NHTSA complaint #503729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Portland, OR Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

THE VEHICLE KEPT TRYING TO START ITSELF AND THEN WENT UP IN FLAMES. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #983075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Villisca, IA

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL

REPLACED REAR BRAKES DUE TO AXLE SEAL LEAKAGE.

NHTSA complaint #489043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Villisca, IA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM

INSTALLED REAR BRAKE SHOES.

NHTSA complaint #489043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Villisca, IA

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

REPLACED DIFFERENTIAL.

NHTSA complaint #489043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.