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1986 Ford E-350Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 11 owner complaints about the 1986 Ford E-350, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 11 safety recalls.

–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls11Free fix at dealersOwner complaints116 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage60kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 4, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Ford E-350 has problems

11 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system65
Engine and engine cooling32
Fuel system, gasoline10
Power train10
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Tires10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

11 recalls

1986 Ford E-350 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core

Recall 89V-140 · Aug 15, 1989 · 2,700 vehicles

Risk. HOSE COULD WEAR THROUGH AND LEAK WHICH COULD RESULT INAN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core

Recall 89V-139 · Aug 15, 1989 · 500 vehicles

Risk. HOSE COULD WEAR THROUGH AND LEAK WHICH COULD RESULT INAN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core

Recall 89V-075 · May 9, 1989 · 300 vehicles

Risk. HOSE COULD WEAR THROUGH AND LEAK WHICH COULD RESULT INAN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 7 more recalls
–no report yet

Cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings

Recall 88V-133 · Aug 9, 1988 · 14,975 vehicles

Risk. ENGINE COOLANT COULD DISCHARGE ONTO THE ENGINE AND ITSEXHAUST MANIFOLD CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE DUE TO THE HIGH ENGINEEXHAUST MANIFOLD TEMPERATURES.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Exhaust system: emission control

Recall 87V-144 · Sep 9, 1987 · 188,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CREATES POTENTIAL FOR FUEL EXPULSION FROM THE FUELFILLER PIPE WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN AFIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1986 vs. every other E-350 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the E-350 median. How we score

'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
57 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Ford E-350, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FILLER NECK SPURTC87003 · closed Sep 1, 1987
    No recall
  2. FORD E-350 EMS VEHICLE FIRESDP87024 · closed Aug 7, 1987
    No recall
  3. FORD E350 EMS VEH. FIRESDP87025 · closed Aug 18, 1987
    No recall
  4. FIRES-COOLANT HOSE FAILUREDP88016 · closed Nov 16, 1988
    No recall
  5. FILLER NECK SPURTEA87002 · closed Apr 29, 1987
    No recall
  6. FUEL EXPULSIONEA87019 · closed Oct 23, 1987
    No recall
  7. FUEL SPURTING/FIRESPE86058 · closed Nov 4, 1986
    No recall
  8. FUEL LEAKS/FIRESPE87017 · closed May 26, 1987
    No recall
  9. FIRESPE89034 · closed Jul 28, 1989
    Led to recall 89V-075
  10. HEATER HOSE MISROUTINGPE89043 · closed Aug 2, 1989
    No recall
  11. HEATER HOSE MISROUTINGPE89044 · closed Apr 19, 1989
    No recall
  12. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89045 · closed Aug 29, 1989
    Led to recall 89V-142
  13. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89046 · closed May 5, 1989
    No recall
  14. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89047 · closed Mar 15, 1989
    No recall
  15. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89048 · closed Jul 21, 1989
    No recall
  16. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89049 · closed Jun 15, 1989
    No recall
  17. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89050 · closed Jul 19, 1989
    No recall
  18. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89051 · closed Mar 15, 1989
    No recall
  19. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89052 · closed Jul 19, 1989
    No recall
  20. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89053 · closed Mar 15, 1989
    No recall
  21. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89054 · closed May 5, 1989
    No recall
  22. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89055 · closed Mar 15, 1989
    No recall
  23. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89056 · closed May 5, 1989
    No recall
  24. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89057 · closed Jun 15, 1989
    No recall
  25. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89058 · closed May 5, 1989
    No recall
  26. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89059 · closed May 5, 1989
    No recall
  27. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89060 · closed Jul 19, 1989
    No recall
  28. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89061 · closed Jul 5, 1989
    No recall
  29. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89062 · closed May 5, 1989
    No recall
  30. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89063 · closed May 5, 1989
    No recall
  31. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89064 · closed Jul 5, 1989
    No recall
  32. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89066 · closed May 5, 1989
    No recall
  33. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89067 · closed Aug 3, 1989
    No recall
  34. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89068 · closed May 5, 1989
    No recall
  35. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89069 · closed Jul 19, 1989
    No recall
  36. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89070 · closed Aug 29, 1989
    Led to recall 89V-139
  37. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89071 · closed Aug 29, 1989
    Led to recall 89V-143
  38. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89072 · closed Mar 15, 1989
    No recall
  39. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89073 · closed Sep 27, 1989
    Led to recall 89V-160
  40. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89074 · closed Jul 3, 1989
    No recall
  41. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89075 · closed May 5, 1989
    No recall
  42. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89076 · closed May 5, 1989
    No recall
  43. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89077 · closed May 5, 1989
    No recall
  44. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89078 · closed Sep 27, 1989
    Led to recall 89V-151
  45. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89079 · closed Sep 28, 1989
    No recall
  46. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89080 · closed May 5, 1989
    No recall
  47. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89081 · closed May 5, 1989
    No recall
  48. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89082 · closed May 5, 1989
    No recall
  49. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89083 · closed May 5, 1989
    No recall
  50. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89084 · closed May 5, 1989
    No recall
  51. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89085 · closed May 5, 1989
    No recall
  52. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89086 · closed May 5, 1989
    No recall
  53. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89087 · closed Mar 15, 1989
    No recall
  54. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89088 · closed Jul 19, 1989
    No recall
  55. UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89089 · closed Aug 1, 1989
    No recall
  56. HEATER HOSE ROUTINGPE89102 · closed Aug 1, 1989
    No recall
  57. FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILSPE94065 · closed Dec 28, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What E-350 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 704491 · Mar 16, 1999
ENGINE FIRE, OWNER STATED THAT EARLIER IN THE DAY ALTERNATOR WORK WAS DONE, DUE TO PROBLEMS. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS
Complaint 545265 · Apr 22, 1999

Own a 1986 E-350?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.