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.
May 1995peak 5Jun 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1989 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.
SQ99005Opened 10 Feb 1999Closed 21 Sep 2001SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FRONT BRAKE FADE
FRONT BRAKES CAN FADE
EA93014Opened 4 Jun 1993Closed 29 Jul 1994ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALTERNATOR BELT FAILURE
EA91044Opened 30 Oct 1991Closed 30 Oct 1992SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
===
EA91031Opened 26 Jun 1991Closed 1 Nov 1991VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FUEL EXPULSION
PE91077Opened 23 May 1991Closed 31 Oct 1991SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
PE90056Opened 12 Mar 1990Closed 12 Jun 1990POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
TRNSMSSION PARK GEAR FAIL
Recalls on the 1989 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 19911251,470 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 199009372 units in Canada
Emissions
NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 7.5 LITRE ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. INCORRECT EGR VALVE. CORRECTION: EGR VALVE WILL BE REPLACED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Phenix City, ALFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
THE FRONT BRAKE FAILURE(CALIPER OVER HEAT) THE BRAKE FLUID CAUGHT ON FIRE. TT
NHTSA complaint #967139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 25,000 milesVirginia Beach, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE LOSES BRAKE POWER WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND FAILS TO STOP THE TRUCK. THE EMERGENCY BRAKES HAD TO BE ENGAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH IN 400 MILES. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AGAIN, AND BLEED THE BRAKES. HOWEVER, FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN 1500 MILES. THEN, DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINE WAS ROUTED BEHIND THE ENGINE , WHICH GET HOT AND BOILED THE FLUID.
NHTSA complaint #10079553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesVirginia Beach, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE LOSES BRAKE POWER WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND FAILS TO STOP THE TRUCK. THE EMERGENCY BRAKES HAD TO BE ENGAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH IN 400 MILES. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AGAIN, AND BLEED THE BRAKES. HOWEVER, FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN 1500 MILES. THEN, DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINE WAS ROUTED BEHIND THE ENGINE , WHICH GET HOT AND BOILED THE FLUID.
NHTSA complaint #10079553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oshkosh, WI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BRAKE CALIPER FAILED TO RELEASE, BOILING THE BRAKE FLUID (UNBEKNOWNST TO ME UNTIL IT CAME TIME TO APPLY THE BRAKES). THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I LET IT UP COMPLETELY AND WHEN DEPRESSED, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR ONCE AGAIN. I USED THE TRANSMISSION (GEARING DOWN) AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED. WHEN REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, THE PRIMARY FAULT WAS IDENTIFIED AS EXTREMELY RUSTY FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. ONE DID NOT RELEASE COMPLETELY AFTER A BRAKE APPLICATION, CAUSING SUFFICIENT HEAT BUILDUP TO BOIL THE BRAKE FLUID. MECHANIC SAID THE REAR BRAKES WERE BADLY OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, GIVING THE OPINION THAT WAS THE REASON THE MASTER CYLINDER INDICATOR LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. UNTIL THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED, I DID NOT KNOW THAT IT WAS INCUMBENT ON THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO OCCASIONALLY MAKE REVERSE MOVES WITH AGGRESSIVE BRAKE APPLICATIONS (DONE SEVERAL TIMES) TO CINCH UP THE REAR BRAKE ADJUSTMENT. THUS, OVER TIME, THE FRONT BRAKES WERE BASICALLY DOING ALMOST ALL THE BRAKING EFFORT. IF I HAD HAD THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL REPEATEDLY, I PERHAPS COULD HAVE CAUSED THE REAR BRAKES TO ENGAGE, AND BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP WITHOUT DOWNGEARING AND USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #757383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oshkosh, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
BRAKE CALIPER FAILED TO RELEASE, BOILING THE BRAKE FLUID (UNBEKNOWNST TO ME UNTIL IT CAME TIME TO APPLY THE BRAKES). THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I LET IT UP COMPLETELY AND WHEN DEPRESSED, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR ONCE AGAIN. I USED THE TRANSMISSION (GEARING DOWN) AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED. WHEN REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, THE PRIMARY FAULT WAS IDENTIFIED AS EXTREMELY RUSTY FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. ONE DID NOT RELEASE COMPLETELY AFTER A BRAKE APPLICATION, CAUSING SUFFICIENT HEAT BUILDUP TO BOIL THE BRAKE FLUID. MECHANIC SAID THE REAR BRAKES WERE BADLY OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, GIVING THE OPINION THAT WAS THE REASON THE MASTER CYLINDER INDICATOR LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. UNTIL THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED, I DID NOT KNOW THAT IT WAS INCUMBENT ON THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO OCCASIONALLY MAKE REVERSE MOVES WITH AGGRESSIVE BRAKE APPLICATIONS (DONE SEVERAL TIMES) TO CINCH UP THE REAR BRAKE ADJUSTMENT. THUS, OVER TIME, THE FRONT BRAKES WERE BASICALLY DOING ALMOST ALL THE BRAKING EFFORT. IF I HAD HAD THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL REPEATEDLY, I PERHAPS COULD HAVE CAUSED THE REAR BRAKES TO ENGAGE, AND BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP WITHOUT DOWNGEARING AND USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #757383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oshkosh, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
BRAKE CALIPER FAILED TO RELEASE, BOILING THE BRAKE FLUID (UNBEKNOWNST TO ME UNTIL IT CAME TIME TO APPLY THE BRAKES). THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I LET IT UP COMPLETELY AND WHEN DEPRESSED, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR ONCE AGAIN. I USED THE TRANSMISSION (GEARING DOWN) AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED. WHEN REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, THE PRIMARY FAULT WAS IDENTIFIED AS EXTREMELY RUSTY FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. ONE DID NOT RELEASE COMPLETELY AFTER A BRAKE APPLICATION, CAUSING SUFFICIENT HEAT BUILDUP TO BOIL THE BRAKE FLUID. MECHANIC SAID THE REAR BRAKES WERE BADLY OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, GIVING THE OPINION THAT WAS THE REASON THE MASTER CYLINDER INDICATOR LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. UNTIL THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED, I DID NOT KNOW THAT IT WAS INCUMBENT ON THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO OCCASIONALLY MAKE REVERSE MOVES WITH AGGRESSIVE BRAKE APPLICATIONS (DONE SEVERAL TIMES) TO CINCH UP THE REAR BRAKE ADJUSTMENT. THUS, OVER TIME, THE FRONT BRAKES WERE BASICALLY DOING ALMOST ALL THE BRAKING EFFORT. IF I HAD HAD THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL REPEATEDLY, I PERHAPS COULD HAVE CAUSED THE REAR BRAKES TO ENGAGE, AND BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP WITHOUT DOWNGEARING AND USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #757383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Guilford, CT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING FUEL WILL SPILL OUT FROM TANK ONTO GROUND, RECALL #93S68. *AK THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EVENTHOUGH THE PROBLELM IS IDENTICAL TO THAT STATED IN RECALL # 93S68.
NHTSA complaint #882770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE ORIGIONAL FUEL SPILL OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN LAS VEGAS BLVD S. I NOTICED THAT MY FUEL GAUGE WAS SHOWING ONLY HALF FULL ON THE REAR TANK WHEN I HAD JUST FILLED THE VAN. I THEN NOTICED I WAS TRAILING FUEL DOWN THE STREET. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED IT WAS POURING FUEL FROM THE FILL CAP FOR THE FRONT TANK. I SWITCHED TO THE FRONT TANK AND THE FUEL SPILL STOPPED. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THE SAID IT WOULD COST OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE PART TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND WOULD TAKE A WEEK TO GET THE PART. I WENT BACK TO SAN DIEGO AND WENT TO PEARSON FORD AND WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO SPEND UPWARDS OF $1000.00 AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER PARTS. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE SINCE AAQUIRED THE "91S39 SAFETY RECALL" AND CALLED FORD FACTORY. THEY SAID MY VAN WASN'T RECALLED. I THEN AQUIRED YOUR NHTSA CAMPAICN ID NUMBER: 91V146000 AND CALLED THE FORD NUMBER --IT IS NO LONGER IN SERVICE. I CALLED FORD WITH THE INFORMATION AGAIN AND AGAIN WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ON BY VAN. I HAVE HAD SIX INSTANCES OF FUEL SPILLING FROM THE VAN AND FEEL FORD SHOULD REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK SELECTOR . PLEAQS HELP.
NHTSA complaint #740788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
THE ORIGIONAL FUEL SPILL OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN LAS VEGAS BLVD S. I NOTICED THAT MY FUEL GAUGE WAS SHOWING ONLY HALF FULL ON THE REAR TANK WHEN I HAD JUST FILLED THE VAN. I THEN NOTICED I WAS TRAILING FUEL DOWN THE STREET. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED IT WAS POURING FUEL FROM THE FILL CAP FOR THE FRONT TANK. I SWITCHED TO THE FRONT TANK AND THE FUEL SPILL STOPPED. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THE SAID IT WOULD COST OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE PART TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND WOULD TAKE A WEEK TO GET THE PART. I WENT BACK TO SAN DIEGO AND WENT TO PEARSON FORD AND WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO SPEND UPWARDS OF $1000.00 AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER PARTS. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE SINCE AAQUIRED THE "91S39 SAFETY RECALL" AND CALLED FORD FACTORY. THEY SAID MY VAN WASN'T RECALLED. I THEN AQUIRED YOUR NHTSA CAMPAICN ID NUMBER: 91V146000 AND CALLED THE FORD NUMBER --IT IS NO LONGER IN SERVICE. I CALLED FORD WITH THE INFORMATION AGAIN AND AGAIN WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ON BY VAN. I HAVE HAD SIX INSTANCES OF FUEL SPILLING FROM THE VAN AND FEEL FORD SHOULD REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK SELECTOR . PLEAQS HELP.
NHTSA complaint #740788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kelseyville, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THE THERMOSTAT HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND HAD AN ADJUSTMENT MADE ONCE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #558383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kelseyville, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WHILE CLIMBING HILLS ON VERY WARM DAYS, THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED STALLING, ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TFI IGNITION MODULE AND DISTRIBUTOR. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #558383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tulsa, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WROTE AN EXPLANATION OF WHOLE PROBLEM BUT WON'T FIT HERE. PLANNING TRIP TO MOUNTAINS, BUT SCARED TO GO WITHOUT RESOLUTION TO PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #726170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cornelius, NC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #706165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #512637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
TIRES
EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR.
NHTSA complaint #512637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES EXPERIENCING OVERHEATING, REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS DID NOT RECTIFY OVERHEATING.
NHTSA complaint #509676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
BRAKES EXPERIENCING OVERHEATING, REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS DID NOT RECTIFY OVERHEATING.
NHTSA complaint #509676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greene, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #540731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cornelius, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER
BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #521934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dover, NH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
LOST BRAKING POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN STEEP GRADE, NO PRESSURE IN PEDAL. WAS TOLD BY A DEALER THAT CALIPERS/PADS OVERHEATED.
NHTSA complaint #809883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dover, NH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
LOST BRAKING POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN STEEP GRADE, NO PRESSURE IN PEDAL. WAS TOLD BY A DEALER THAT CALIPERS/PADS OVERHEATED.
NHTSA complaint #809883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salisbury, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #507732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
COMING TO A STOP WHILE GOING DOWN HILL THE BRAKES FAILED/REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND BRAKE HOSES.
NHTSA complaint #801807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
COMING TO A STOP WHILE GOING DOWN HILL THE BRAKES FAILED/REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND BRAKE HOSES.
NHTSA complaint #801807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
COMING TO A STOP WHILE GOING DOWN HILL THE BRAKES FAILED/REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND BRAKE HOSES.
NHTSA complaint #801807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clinton TO, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
BRAKE FLUID OVERHEATED, CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #505852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.