1986 Ford E350

○ Not enough data
1986 Ford E350
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:34:59.071Z

Only 10 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 10 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

Complaints
10

Too few to rank

Recalls
11

Campaigns on file for 1986

Investigations
57

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1983: 4 complaints 1983 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 10 complaints 1986 10 1987: 14 complaints 1988: 10 complaints 1989: 25 complaints 1989 1990: 23 complaints 1997: 0 complaints 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 0 complaints 2000: 0 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 0 complaints 2005: 0 complaints 2006: 0 complaints 2006 2007: 0 complaints 2008: 0 complaints 2009: 1 complaint 2009 2010: 1 complaint 2011: 1 complaint 2012: 0 complaints 2012 2013: 0 complaints
1983: 4 complaints 1983 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 10 complaints 1986 10 1987: 14 complaints 1988: 10 complaints 1989: 25 complaints 1989 1990: 23 complaints 1997: 0 complaints 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 0 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 0 complaints 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 0 complaints 2007: 0 complaints 2007 2008: 0 complaints 2009: 1 complaint 2009 2010: 1 complaint 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 0 complaints 2013: 0 complaints 2013
1983: 4 complaints 1983 1984: 4 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 10 complaints 1986 10 1987: 14 complaints 1987 1988: 10 complaints 1988 1989: 25 complaints 1989 1990: 23 complaints 1990 1997: 0 complaints 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 0 complaints 2000 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 0 complaints 2003 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 0 complaints 2006 2007: 0 complaints 2007 2008: 0 complaints 2008 2009: 1 complaint 2009 2010: 1 complaint 2010 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 0 complaints 2012 2013: 0 complaints 2013

1986: 10 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 10 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Electrical system

5 of 10 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing front underhood and switch.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-03-16

Ignition switch failed 3 times, third occurrence fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-07-25

The vehicle kept trying to start itself and then went up in flames. Please describe.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-04-19

Engine and engine cooling

3 of 10 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing exhaust system and gasoline.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-09-20

Power train

2 of 10 total reports mention: power train, most commonly citing differential unit and seal.

Tires

1 of 10 total reports mentions: tires, most commonly citing tread/belt.

Service brakes

1 of 10 total reports mentions: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

Safety timeline

11 recalls · 57 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1986-06-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 1986-11-04 Fuel spurting/fires
  2. R
    1986-07-16Power train86V092000 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…

    Remedy: Install metal driveshaft.

  3. R
    1986-07-16Steering86V094000 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…

    Remedy: Install new drag link assemblies with steel ball and socket joints at the pitman arm connections.

  4. I
    1986-11-04Engineering analysisClosed 1987-04-29 Filler neck spurt
  5. R
    1986-12-29Service brakes, hydraulic86V174000 Deformed brake rod covers may interfere with return of accelerator pedal from open throttle position.

    Remedy: Modify brake rod cover to allow accelerator pedal to return from open throttle position.

  6. I
    1987-01-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 1987-05-26 Fuel leaks/fires
  7. I
    1987-04-29CClosed 1987-09-01 Filler neck spurt
  8. I
    1987-04-30Engineering analysisClosed 1987-10-23 Fuel expulsion
  9. R
    1987-07-02Fuel system, gasoline87V111000 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.

  10. R
    1987-07-14Engine and engine cooling87V113000 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.

  11. I
    1987-07-17Defect petitionClosed 1987-08-07 Ford E-350 ems vehicle fires
  12. I
    1987-07-17Defect petitionClosed 1987-08-18 Ford E350 ems veh. Fires
  13. R
    1988-02-03Engine and engine cooling87V144000 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.

  14. I
    1988-05-12Defect petitionClosed 1988-11-16 Fires-coolant hose failure
  15. R
    1988-09-14Engine and engine cooling88V133000 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.

  16. I
    1989-01-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-28 Fires
  17. I
    1989-02-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-08-02 Heater hose misrouting
  18. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-04-19 Heater hose misrouting
  19. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-08-29 Underhood fires
  20. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
  21. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-03-15 Underhood fires
  22. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-21 Underhood fires
  23. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-06-15 Underhood fires
  24. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-19 Underhood fires
  25. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-03-15 Underhood fires
  26. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-19 Underhood fires
  27. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-03-15 Underhood fires
  28. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
  29. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-03-15 Underhood fires
  30. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
  31. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-06-15 Underhood fires
  32. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
  33. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
  34. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-19 Underhood fires
  35. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-05 Underhood fires
  36. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
  37. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
  38. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-05 Underhood fires
  39. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
  40. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-08-03 Underhood fires
  41. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
  42. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-19 Underhood fires
  43. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-08-29 Underhood fires
  44. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-08-29 Underhood fires
  45. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-03-15 Underhood fires
  46. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-09-27 Underhood fires
  47. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-03 Underhood fires
  48. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
  49. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
  50. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
  51. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-09-27 Underhood fires
  52. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-09-28 Underhood fires
  53. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
  54. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
  55. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
  56. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
  57. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
  58. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
  59. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
  60. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-03-15 Underhood fires
  61. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-19 Underhood fires
  62. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-08-01 Underhood fires
  63. I
    1989-03-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-08-01 Heater hose routing
  64. R
    1989-06-01Electrical system89V062000 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.

  65. R
    1989-06-26Visibility89V075000 Heater hose may be incorrectly routed.

    Remedy: Reroute and splice hose as necessary.

  66. R
    1989-09-01Visibility89V140000 Heater hose may be incorrectly routed.

    Remedy: Reroute and repair hose as necessary.

  67. R
    1989-11-06Visibility89V139000 Heater hose may be incorrectly routed.

    Remedy: Reroute and repair hose, as necessary.

  68. I
    1994-08-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-12-28 Fuel injector pump fails

Buy-smart checklist

1986 Ford E350 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 5 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 3 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 2 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 86V092000 · Power train
  • Recall 86V094000 · Steering
  • Recall 86V174000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 87V111000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 87V113000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 87V144000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 88V133000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 89V062000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 89V075000 · Visibility
  • Recall 89V140000 · Visibility
  • Recall 89V139000 · Visibility

FAQ

Is the 1986 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 1986 Ford E350?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1986 Ford E350 have?
11 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.