1996 Ford E-350
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › E-350 › 1996
These records cover every 1996 Ford E-350. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1996 Ford E-350. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. on 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. repairs will be completed free of charge. the safety recall began on october 27, 2009. owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
Dealers will install a new wiring harness, or replace the mating electrical component. the recall began on february 18, 2008. owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. the recall began on august 7, 2006. owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332. (note: also see recalls 05v017 and 05v388)
Owner complaints
50 complaints1 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system
Approximately 6 times on a 800 mile road trip when it was 90 degrees or hotter in the afternoon my 1996 E350 motorhome would stop running at highway speed stranding us in a dangerous situation on I40. after sitting idle for 30-60 minutes it would start and run maybe 30 miles and stop. in the cool…
Approximately 6 times on a 800 mile road trip when it was 90 degrees or hotter in the afternoon my 1996 E350 motorhome would stop running at highway speed stranding us in a dangerous situation on I40. after sitting idle for 30-60 minutes it would start and run maybe 30 miles and stop. in the cool of the evening or morning it would run as long as needed. the problem IS an inadequate fuel pump which IS well documented on many internet blogs. in mid year 1996 ford upgraded to a turbine fuel pump which I have now paid $450 to install. this upgrade solves the problem. I was also stranded at major intersections also. I read there might have been a recall for this problem which I cannot find. my understanding of the problem IS that the original fuel pump was a gerotor which caused cavitation of fuel which caused air to reach the fuel rail causing the vapor lock like problem.
- Service brakes
ABS sporadically causes difficulty in pressing the break pedal while rhythmically pulling hard right. Highway or surface speeds. google has many with the same problem and no fix. no codes are thrown. dealers are no help. must disable the ABS by pulling the 60amp fuse.
- Engine · Fuel system, diesel
This issue was on a 1996 ford F350 ambulance on route to emergency call when engine shut down and lost all power like it was out of fuel 7.3 liter diesel and tank was full. Had unit towed to cross wood ford in kernersville nc and $2700.00 later after new fuel tank fuel pump 6 injectors and turbo…
This issue was on a 1996 ford F350 ambulance on route to emergency call when engine shut down and lost all power like it was out of fuel 7.3 liter diesel and tank was full. Had unit towed to cross wood ford in kernersville nc and $2700.00 later after new fuel tank fuel pump 6 injectors and turbo due to liner inside of tank came off and clogged the fuel system and engine ford motor company was no help and said since the vehicle was out of warranty they would not do anything to resolve the cost issues. *tr
- Seat belts
Drivers side seat belt latch does not lock. *tr
- Service brakes, hydraulic
Discovery of cracked front rotors on my 1996 E-350 motorhome. first cracked rotor found in may 2007 with 35,000 miles on vehicle. second cracked rotor found in september 2009 with 41,000 miles on vehicle. *Tr
- Suspension › Front › Shock absorber · Tires
While driving at 45/55 mph right front tire went out of round, and the left front tire started showing signs of fatigue. When this occurred front shocks failed, and the hydraulic fluid spilled onto the catalytic converter. This resulted in severe frontal vehicle damage. The manufacturer had been notified.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Subject vehicle IS a ford E350 superduty van chassis manufactured in may 1996 with vn [xxx] equipped with a E40D transmission. the transmission in a 1997 class c motorhome started to leak. the problem was detected before complete failure, which could have resulted in a fire. vehicle had to be…
Subject vehicle IS a ford E350 superduty van chassis manufactured in may 1996 with vn [xxx] equipped with a E40D transmission. the transmission in a 1997 class c motorhome started to leak. the problem was detected before complete failure, which could have resulted in a fire. vehicle had to be towed to garage. when transmission was rebuilt a seal had to be replace. the oem part number was E9TP 7ap48 aa. the seal was replace with a part from percision international with part number 16601ev, which came with the following advisory "the original design silicone rubber IS not as compatible with new ford mercron v fluid. also it's not able to hold up to the demands of heavy duty truck applications." if this IS in fact the cases the affected vehicles should be reviewed and if necessary recalled. *la information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *tr
- Tires › Valve
Consumer states that valve stems recommended for vehicle IS not effective after 8000 miles. on several occasions tires would become flat for no apparent reason. vehicle was taken to a repair shop, who informed consumer of the valve problem.*ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
Consumer states that while driving at 55 mph tread on the passenger side rear separated from the tire. Several weeks later the same thing happened with the front passenger tire while driving at 65 mph. *Ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Injectors
The injector module failed, which caused the power steering to stop working. *jb this was the second fuel injector driver module that failed due to water in the module. the engine stopped with ovt warning. scc
- Exterior lighting › Turn signal › Flasher unit
Gulf stream rv manifactorying. Built the class c rv on ford E-350 cut a way chassis. The ford chassis manual states that it IS supplied w/ 2 hazard and turn lights on front and 2 on the back (total of 4 lights) and a flasher for 2 bulb and 4 bulb max flasher #sf-602 this IS the only flasher…
Gulf stream rv manifactorying. Built the class c rv on ford E-350 cut a way chassis. The ford chassis manual states that it IS supplied w/ 2 hazard and turn lights on front and 2 on the back (total of 4 lights) and a flasher for 2 bulb and 4 bulb max flasher #sf-602 this IS the only flasher that ford has. gulf stream added another turn/ hazard bulb on each side on rear. Plus two trailor lights. the ford reference manuel page 19 table h states that if more lights are added they are to change the turn signal flasher. With one having the correct lamp rareing. Gulf stream didn't do this they left the one that ford put on at the factory. when you turn the hazard flasher light on it over loads the flasher out ($38.00 ea) then you don't have flashers. I have burnt out 2 so far. I have contacted gulf stream rv about this problem and they give me the run around on this. They said I am the only one that has this problem. only the 1996 ford E-350 uses this flasher. I can't find another one any where that will work in the E-350. ford told me that IS the only flasher that will work and that it IS a gulf stream problem and they deny the problem. this affects all 1996 ford E350 vans. dt
- Tires › Tread/belt
Consumer's vehicle experienced 3 tread separations on firestone steel tex brand. Dealer and manufacturer had been contacted. Ts one other tire showed signs of tread separation which included the spare. all tires had to be replaced. *tt *jb
- Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/rack
Consumer state while traveling 30 mph without any indication vehicle spear tire carrier had broken causing spare tire to fall from under. Please provide further information. Ts
- Tires
3 tires all seperated at different times within a 3 month. Both front tires and one rear tire. All 3 tires had the same dot number. The other 3 tires did not seperate and had a different dot number. I still have all of the tires. dt
- Tires › Tread/belt
The regional transit authority was experiencing tread separation of firestone tires (steeltex R4S 225-75r16) used on their buses. (E-350 super duty chassis 1996,1997 and 1999) *yh
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
No summary listed for above vehicle. *Ak
- Tires
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
Upon installing performance friction brake pads on vehicle, I felt they were wrong. I called auto zone from whom I purchased after measuring and finding they were 0.773 thick. They assured me they were the right pads. I installed and thought nothing more of it. Upon driving vehicle around a month…
Upon installing performance friction brake pads on vehicle, I felt they were wrong. I called auto zone from whom I purchased after measuring and finding they were 0.773 thick. They assured me they were the right pads. I installed and thought nothing more of it. Upon driving vehicle around a month later, I had not gotten 5 miles when the friction caused my caliper seals to catch fire. We contacted performance friction the same day and talked to mike cochrane, who assured he would investigate and get back to me. After not hearing anything for over a week, we contacted again. This time I talked to jennifer ramsey, whom contacted me the following via e-mail and said they would investigate and get back. I did some investigating myself and found the following : napa pads measured 0.719 ; albany 0.720 ; wagner 0.717 ; wagner heavy duty 0.738 aand motorcraft 0.738. I reported these findings to ms. Ramsey and asked why their pads were nearly 0.040 thicker than any other manufacturer, but still have no answer. The last contact I received from ms. Ramsey stated that these pads were high volume sellers and they had no other complaints, and they were still investigating dated 11/07/01. I last e-mailed ms. Ramsey on 12/07/01 and have received no response. Thank you. *Ak
- Tires
Tires came apart& blewout.*ak (tiresize: 225/75r16r)
- Tires › Tread/belt
Original manufacturing equipment on a ford, E350, 1996. 10,000 miles on tires. Tire size lt24575r16. Tread separated from sidewall of right passenger side tire. Consumer replaced tire with same model tire that had developed splits in the sidewall. *Ak *slc
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
Consumer was traveling on highway and vehicle was vibrating. consumer took vehicle to a shop, and both front rotors were cracked. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
After noticing a fuel smell consumer had vehicle inspected and found fuel tank was cracking at seams. there was a recall for fuel tank on 1997-2001 vans, but this model was not included due to vin. *Ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
Consumer has a 1996, ford, 350 and left rear tire tread came off without warning. Tire was still inflated. Tread got caught and wiped out heater and a/c line. Consumer was was traveling 60mph. dealer replaced tire with a spare. At this time vehicle had 21,000 miles. *ak right rear tire also experienced tread separation, firestone tires, p225/75r16. *slc
- Tires › Tread/belt
While driving at 60 mph, the entire tread came of the right inside dual tire, firestone LT 22575r16, which put a hole in the bottom of the motorhome.
- Tires › Tread/belt
Firestone steeltex R4S tire (p225/75r16) experienced tread separation, causing damage to the holding tank. *slc
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Alleged brake hose failures
Ford has received no owner reports of failure, other than the four odi reports that came from a single fleet in new york state.ford also reports that it has received no field reports and did not identify any warranty claims alleging the subject problem.ford estimates that the 86,910 subject vehicles (that have over 6…
Ford has received no owner reports of failure, other than the four odi reports that came from a single fleet in new york state.ford also reports that it has received no field reports and did not identify any warranty claims alleging the subject problem.ford estimates that the 86,910 subject vehicles (that have over 6 years exposure), have accumulated over six billion miles of service and that the virtual lack of reports indicates that there IS no defect trend.based on ford's data, a safety related defect trend does not appear to exist at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action on the subject vehicles if warranted by the circumstances.odi will continue to monitor field reports for this problem and take appropriate action in the future if indicated.
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.
- 10148820This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. Excessive friction in the ball joint assembly may cause a perceptible increase in steering effort.
- 10004834Low rpm, no start, runs poorly, stall. 7.3L dit engine.
- 10004832A high number of high pressure rexroth pumps and injection pressure regulators (ipr) are being replaced due to oil leaking, when all that IS required IS a new gasket or seal on either the pump or ipr.
- 10004829Driveline resonance/vibration between 1400 and 2000 rpm with the torque converter clutch engaged on vehicles with transmissions built prior to 11/13/95 (5L13).
- 10004827Some 7.3L diesel E40D equipped vehicles built between 5/15/96 and 7/8/96 may exhibit harsh upshifts.
- 10004825The front end accessory drive (fead) belt may wear, shred and/or come off during deceleration.
- 10004824Engine noise similar t a rod knock.
- 10004823On vehicles with transmission build dates prior to 9/20/95, the overdrive cancel lamp may be illuminating and diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p1728 present and/or engine stall when reverse and/or manual low IS selected.
- 10004072A bump steer steering feeling, noted when the vehicle's front wheels/tires contact road surface irregularities.
- 6092006Subject regarding tire balance hint.
- 630683Concerns with bump steer steering feeling noted when front wheels / tires contact road surface irregularities.
- 624689Some vehicles may exhibit a fuel fill valve sealing condition.
- 615514Subject regarding engine diagnostic guide for warranty reimbursement.
- 615427This bulletin states that replacement under warranty of certain specified components on any 7.3L dit diesel vehicle, requires that the replaced component be returned with the appropriate year diesel engine diagnostic guide for warranty reimbursement.
- 615386Service information for vehicles exhibiting stall on deceleration condition.
- 615371Information on super duty 7.3 dit diesel engine vehicles exhibiti lack of power.
- 615368Some super duty vehicles with 7.3L dit diesel engines may exhibit 4X4 lights on, 4X4 inoperative and / or multiple gem codes.
- 615367Information on super duty models with 7.3L diesel engines exhibiting rough idle / miss condition.
- 615279Some vehicles may exhibit brake rotor checking or signs of excessive heat build-up.
- 615198Some vehicles may exhibit brake rotor checking or signs of excessive heat build-up.
- 615165Brief information concern vehicles exhbiting external oil leaks.
- 615162Brief information on vehicles exhibiting a stall on deceleration condition.
- 615155Brief information on vehicles exhibiting lack of power condition.
- 615154Brief information vehicles exhibiting hard start / no start condition.
- 615151Information on vehicles exhibiting rough idle / miss.
- 613339Subject regarding on-vehicle caliper-mounted brake rotor machining accessories from rotunda, for certain vehicles, are now available for service use.
- 613195Subject regarding external oil leaks - repeat message.
- 613183Repeat message regarding a stall on decel condition.
- 613141Repeat message regarding a hard start / no start condition.
- 613103Repeat message regarding vehicles exhibiting a lack of power.
- 613086Repeat message regarding vehicles exhibiting rough idle / miss condition.
- 609536Exhaust leak at exhaust manifolds--vehicle equipped with 7.0L 0R 7.5L engine.
- 607727Dtc's p1211/1212 icp pressure higher/lower than expected.
- 607708Vehicle stalls/quits while driving.
- 607516Some vehicles may experience an intermittent stall condition after a long deceleration when using the M1 or M2 gear on the E40D or when using a lower gear with the M50D for engine braking.
- 607157Vehicle stalls upon acceleration.
- 607148Lack of power due to failure of engine turbo boost
- 607139Repeat message, no change: hard start/ no start.
- 607132Repeat message, no change- rough idle/miss.
- 606839Addressing tire balance hints.
Every Ford E-350 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.