1986 Ford E350
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1986 Ford E350. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
11 recalls name the 1986 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.
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.
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 splice hose as necessary.
Nylon ties that support the main wiring harness to the chassis could wear and break due to excessive vibration. Thus, wiring harness could fall on engine components and short circuit.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could cause loss of electrical system which couldresult in an underhood fire.
Remedy
Install retrofit rit of plastic-coated metal clamps, loom for positive battery cables and re-route wiring.
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.
Fuel leak at the top of the front fuel tank in the area of the vapor valve grommet. grommet may split due to compressive load when installed in the fuel tank.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Fuel may leak from vapor valve and become the source offuel for a fire.
Remedy
Installation of a newly designed vapor valve grommet.
Deformed brake rod covers may interfere with return of accelerator pedal from open throttle position. consequence of defect: engine would not slow down when accelerator pedal IS released which could result in a vehicle crash.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Modify brake rod cover to allow accelerator pedal to return from open throttle position.
The rubber that encases ball stud and socket joint (connects steering drag link and pitman arm) may deteriorate, causing metal to metal contact, and may eventually result in complete separation. consequence of defect: complete separation of the drag…
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Install new drag link assemblies with steel ball and socket joints at the pitman arm connections.
Composite graphite driveshafts are subject to overheating while idling, which may result in the driveshaft twisting and shortening causing the slip yoke to disconnect from the transmission. consequence of defect: if the driveshaft disconnects from…
Owner complaints
11 complaints6 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system
Engine starter would not disengage even with key removed
- 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) *jb
- 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…
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)
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · 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
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Description and comments see e-mail which im sending as best I know how -- sorry for clutsyness. rjd
- 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
- 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.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch failed 3 times, third occurrence fire. *Sd
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Oil filter adapter extension continuously loosens. *Dsh
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
The vehicle kept trying to start itself and then went up in flames. Please describe. *ak
- Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft › Seal · Power train › Driveline › Differential unit · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Drum
Replaced rear brakes due to axle seal leakage. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Fuel injector pump fails
There is no summary currently available
- Heater hose routing
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- 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
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- 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
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
Summary:leader industries has reported that they do not now, or havethey ever attached anything to the transmission dipstick tube.===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
Summary:medtec has not attached any hoses or wiring to transmissionfill tubes.===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
Summary:ringdahl has not attached hoses or wires to the dipstickfiller tube.===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- 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
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Underhood fires
===
- Heater hose misrouting
===
- Fires
===
- 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
- Fuel expulsion
Synopsis: under certain operating conditions, fuel IS expelled from thefuel filler pipe, when the filler cap IS removed. It has been reportedthat vehicle fires and personal injuries have resulted. The problemappears to be one of excessive heat collecting under the vehicles, usuallywhile stationary with the engines…
Synopsis: under certain operating conditions, fuel IS expelled from thefuel filler pipe, when the filler cap IS removed. It has been reportedthat vehicle fires and personal injuries have resulted. The problemappears to be one of excessive heat collecting under the vehicles, usuallywhile stationary with the engines idling or being operated under extremeservice conditions. This heat causes the fuel to vaporize in the fueltank and develop pressures in excess of what the fuel tank vent systemcan handle.status: by letter dated 9/9/87, ford notified nhtsa of recall of 188,000e-250 & E-350 vehicles to install partial version of M-53A ambulance recallkit(87v-144)===
- Filler neck spurt
There is no summary currently available
- Fuel leaks/fires
Summary of information from manufacturer:instances were found wherespring lock couplings failed causing gasoline to be released throughoutthe engine compartment causing fires.leaks from fuel lines may also be acontributing cause to the engine compartment…
Summary of information from manufacturer:instances were found wherespring lock couplings failed causing gasoline to be released throughoutthe engine compartment causing fires.leaks from fuel lines may also be acontributing cause to the engine compartment fires.---------------------------------------------------------------------------analysis:data indicates that the alleged problem may be caused by thespring lock quick connect couplings which connect the fuel supply andreturn lines to the engine as well as fuel leakage from the fuel lines.---------------------------------------------------------------------------proposed action: upgrade this pe to an ea.(ea87-020)===
- 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.===
- Fuel spurting/fires
Analysis:each of the complainants stated thet they have been aware offires in these ambulance vehicles but only recently have discerned arepetitive pattern.they are assembling data from each of the independentrescue squads and have agreed to promptly forward the information to thisagency.the nature of the problem…
Analysis:each of the complainants stated thet they have been aware offires in these ambulance vehicles but only recently have discerned arepetitive pattern.they are assembling data from each of the independentrescue squads and have agreed to promptly forward the information to thisagency.the nature of the problem, usage of the vehicles and the severityof the consequences indicate a need for prompt action by this agency.status:preparing an ir.proposed action:open a pe and send ford an ir.
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.
- 601045Front caliper piston boots damaged.
- 601036Some vehicles may exhibit excessive brake pedal travel, irregular front lining wear, and brake pull.
- 51401Diagnostic guides for out-of-warranty vehicles to be used as a master copy - diagnostic guides no longer available from adistra.
- 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.