1983 Ford E350
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1983 Ford E350. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
8 recalls name the 1983 Ford E350. Newest first.
Heater hose may be incorrectly routed.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Hose could wear through and leak which could result inan underhood fire.
Remedy
Reroute and repair hose as necessary.
Extreme operating conditions could cause premature deterioration of the engine compartment heater hoses or engine bypass hoses.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Engine coolant could discharge onto the engine and itsexhaust manifold creating the potential for a fire due to the high engineexhaust manifold temperatures.
Remedy
Replace hoses and radiator caps; install high heat resistance aluminized stainless steel mufflers.
Vehicles are subject to excessive underhood temperatures and fuel system pressures in severe duty applications.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This creates potential for fuel expulsion from the fuelfiller pipe which in the presence of an ignition source, could result in afire.
Remedy
Install modification kits to minimize possibility of fuel expulsion and to shield underbody components from exhaust system heat.
Expulsion of fuel due to overpressurization.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Fuel or fuel vapors in the presence of an ignitionsource can cause a fire.
Remedy
Modification of the base fuel venting and emission control system to reduce operating temperatures and fuel system pressures.
When frontally impacted into a fixed barrier at 30 mph, as specified in federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) no. 301, the left frame rails of such vehicles may displace inboard, pinching the fuel/water separator canister between the frame rail and engine sufficiently to displace the fuel/water separator drain rod, allowing the contents…
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Install a canister shield, a revised design drain rod shield, and modify fuel/water separator mounting bracket.
Attaching bolts on fuel tank supports may not have been adequately tightened; also, the supports are too thin. High levels of stress, which could occur under normal operating conditions, could cause cracks to develop in the support straps. If the fuel tank supports fracture, the fuel tank will slip from the normal position, and fuel leakage could result.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Fuel tank supports and fasteners will be replaced without charge.
Some of the involved vehicles may have a diode in the electrical fuel pump circuit that may short during engine starting due to inadequate capacity to withstand current draw. A short circuit would result in normal engine starting, but the pump will not continue to supply the engine with fuel.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
The dealer will replace defective element in the electrical fuel pump circuit with a new relay feed wiring assembly which contains a larger capacity diode, free of charge.
On certain vehicles, the lock wedges used to secure the axle bearing nuts to the axle housing may fall out of position, allowing the nut to loosen. The nut on the left side may fall off, allowing movement of the axle shaft.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
The dealer will replace defective lock wedges with an improved version. Wheel bearings will be inspected and adjusted or replaced, if necessary.
Owner complaints
5 complaints2 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system
TL* the contact owns a 1983 ford E-350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was moved to the shoulder and was unable to be restarted. The contact also stated that the fuel pump failed to continuously supply the engine with fuel. The…
TL* the contact owns a 1983 ford E-350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was moved to the shoulder and was unable to be restarted. The contact also stated that the fuel pump failed to continuously supply the engine with fuel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included under nhtsa campaign ID number: 82v124000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 73,000.
- Tires
4 of 6 tires bought in 04 thread separating. No accident. Motor just started shaking at freeway speeds. *tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine compartment fire.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
While the vehicle was on and in the park position, on its own the vehicle jumped out of gear from park into reverse. *ak consumer states this IS not his vehicle or his complaint.*jb
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
While parked for two days, noticed smoke and fire coming from dash area, possible electrical. *Ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Heater hose routing
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- 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…
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.===
- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- 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.===
- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
Summary:leader industries has reported that they do not now, or havethey ever attached anything to the transmission dipstick tube.===
- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
Summary:medtec has not attached any hoses or wiring to transmissionfill tubes.===
- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
Summary:ringdahl has not attached hoses or wires to the dipstickfiller tube.===
- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
Summary:tri star was contacted by phone and stated that they do notsell any units in the u.s.they also reported that they do not attachanything to the transmission dipstick tube.===
- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Underhood fires
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- Heater hose misrouting
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- Underhood fires
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- Fires-coolant hose failure
Fires-coolant hose failure
- Ford E-350 ems vehicle fires
Ford E-350 ems vehicle fires
- Ford E350 ems veh. Fires
Ford E350 ems veh. Fires
- Filler neck spurt
There is no summary currently available
- Filler neck spurt
Summary of information from manufacturer:ford has supplied information requested concerning vehicle populationand the number of complaints.analysis:the problem appears to be one of excessive heat collecting under thevehicles, usually while stationary with the engine idling.this heatcauses the fuel to vaporize in the…
Summary of information from manufacturer:ford has supplied information requested concerning vehicle populationand the number of complaints.analysis:the problem appears to be one of excessive heat collecting under thevehicles, usually while stationary with the engine idling.this heatcauses the fuel to vaporize in the fuel tank and develop pressures inexcess of what the vent system can handle.status:ir to ford sent on 2/20/87. Meeting with ford and final stage manufactur-ers held on march 11 & 12, 1987. Additional meeting held on march 7, 1987.also on april i, 1987.ford announced service campaign, no safety recall.recall request letter sent on 4/7/87. Ford did not agree to a safetyrecall, consequently a panel meeting was held on 4/29/87 and investigativecase c87-003 was opened.this ea was closed as a result of the case open-ing on 4/27/87.===
- Dual rear wheel retention
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 3055240Unknown
- 601281A no start or hard start condition may occur on some vehicles due to the glow plug control system.
- 601036Some vehicles may exhibit excessive brake pedal travel, irregular front lining wear, and brake pull.
- 68393Unknown
- 39892There may be a concern of poor performance, coolant in the oil and engine knocking and/or hydraulic lock on some vehicles.
Every Ford E350 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.