1985 Ford E350

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1985 Ford E350
RENDERED 2026-08-02T14:21:51.557Z

Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford E350 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1985 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 4 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 10 complaints 1987: 14 complaints 1988: 10 complaints 1988 1989: 25 complaints 1990: 23 complaints 1997: 0 complaints 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 0 complaints 2000: 0 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2003: 0 complaints 2003 2005: 0 complaints 2006: 0 complaints 2007: 0 complaints 2008: 0 complaints 2008 2009: 1 complaints 2010: 1 complaints 2011: 1 complaints 2012: 0 complaints 2012 2013: 0 complaints 2013
1985: 2 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19834
19844
19852
198610
198714
198810
198925
199023
19970
19980
19990
20000
20020
20030
20050
20060
20070
20080
20091
20101
20111
20120
20130

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 2 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

TIRES

1 of 2 total reports mentions: tires.

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING 50MPH HAD TREAD SEPARATION ON FRONT RIGHT TIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE SIZE OF TIRE AND DOT #. NON ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. TS ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS, TIRE SEPARATED AND ANOTHER BLEWOUT WHILE SITTING IN THE GARAGE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20021125

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 of 2 total reports mentions: electrical system.

Show complaint excerpts

ELECTRICAL SHORT, SMOKE WAS COMING UNDER THE DASH AND VENT AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960430

ELECTRICAL SHORT, SMOKE WAS COMING UNDER THE DASH AND VENT AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960430

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19860616 — PE (closed 19861104)

FUEL SPURTING/FIRES

R 19860716 — power train

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 TRANS

Remedy: INSTALL METAL DRIVESHAFT.

Campaign 86V092000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19860716 — steering

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 SEPARATI

Remedy: INSTALL NEW DRAG LINK ASSEMBLIES WITH STEEL BALL AND SOCKET JOINTS AT THE PITMAN ARM CONNECTIONS.

Campaign 86V094000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19861104 — EA (closed 19870429)

FILLER NECK SPURT

I 19870128 — PE (closed 19870526)

FUEL LEAKS/FIRES

I 19870429 — C (closed 19870901)

FILLER NECK SPURT

I 19870430 — EA (closed 19871023)

FUEL EXPULSION

R 19870702 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Remedy: INSTALLATION OF A NEWLY DESIGNED VAPOR VALVE GROMMET.

Campaign 87V111000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19870714 — engine and engine cooling

EXPULSION OF FUEL DUE TO OVERPRESSURIZATION.

Remedy: MODIFICATION OF THE BASE FUEL VENTING AND EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM TO REDUCE OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES.

Campaign 87V113000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19870717 — DP (closed 19870807)

FORD E-350 EMS VEHICLE FIRES

I 19870717 — DP (closed 19870818)

FORD E350 EMS VEH. FIRES

R 19880203 — engine and engine cooling

VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO EXCESSIVE UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES IN SEVERE DUTY APPLICATIONS.

Remedy: INSTALL MODIFICATION KITS TO MINIMIZE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL EXPULSION AND TO SHIELD UNDERBODY COMPONENTS FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT.

Campaign 87V144000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19880512 — DP (closed 19881116)

FIRES-COOLANT HOSE FAILURE

R 19880914 — engine and engine cooling

EXTREME OPERATING CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEATER HOSES OR ENGINE BYPASS HOSES.

Remedy: REPLACE HOSES AND RADIATOR CAPS; INSTALL HIGH HEAT RESISTANCE ALUMINIZED STAINLESS STEEL MUFFLERS.

Campaign 88V133000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19890215 — PE (closed 19890802)

HEATER HOSE MISROUTING

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890419)

HEATER HOSE MISROUTING

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890829)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890505)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890315)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890721)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890615)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890719)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890315)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890719)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890315)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890505)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890315)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890505)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890615)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890505)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890505)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890719)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890705)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890505)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890505)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890705)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890505)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890803)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890505)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890719)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890829)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890829)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890315)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890927)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890703)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890505)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890505)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890505)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890927)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890928)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890505)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890505)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890505)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890505)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890505)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890505)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890505)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890315)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890719)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890217 — PE (closed 19890801)

UNDERHOOD FIRES

I 19890315 — PE (closed 19890801)

HEATER HOSE ROUTING

R 19890601 — electrical system

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.

Remedy: INSTALL RETROFIT RIT OF PLASTIC-COATED METAL CLAMPS, LOOM FOR POSITIVE BATTERY CABLES AND RE-ROUTE WIRING.

Campaign 89V062000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19890901 — visibility

HEATER HOSE MAY BE INCORRECTLY ROUTED.

Remedy: REROUTE AND REPAIR HOSE AS NECESSARY.

Campaign 89V140000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19891106 — visibility

HEATER HOSE MAY BE INCORRECTLY ROUTED.

Remedy: REROUTE AND REPAIR HOSE, AS NECESSARY.

Campaign 89V139000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19940819 — PE (closed 19941228)

FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILS

R Date not on file — fuel system, diesel

WHEN FRONTALLY IMPACTED INTO A FIXED BARRIER AT 30 MPH, AS SPECIFIED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO.

Remedy: INSTALL A CANISTER SHIELD, A REVISED DESIGN DRAIN ROD SHIELD, AND MODIFY FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR MOUNTING BRACKET.

Campaign 85V061000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1985 Ford E350 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for tires issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 85V061000 (fuel system, diesel) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 86V092000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 86V094000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V111000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V113000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V144000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 88V133000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 89V062000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 89V140000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 89V139000 (visibility) has been completed.

FAQ

Is the 1985 Ford E350 reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1985 Ford E350?

The most-reported component is tires:tread/belt, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1985 Ford E350 have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.