1986 Ford E350
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
- Recalls
- 11
- Investigations
- 57
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 1986
Opened by NHTSA
Not enough data
Complaints per year
1986: 10 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 0 |
| 1983 | 4 |
| 1984 | 4 |
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 | 10 |
| 1987 | 14 |
| 1988 | 10 |
| 1989 | 25 |
| 1990 | 23 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 |
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.
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.
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 →
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1986-06-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 1986-11-04 Fuel spurting/fires
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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.
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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.
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1986-11-04Engineering analysisClosed 1987-04-29 Filler neck spurt
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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.
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1987-01-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 1987-05-26 Fuel leaks/fires
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1987-04-29CClosed 1987-09-01 Filler neck spurt
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1987-04-30Engineering analysisClosed 1987-10-23 Fuel expulsion
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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.
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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.
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1987-07-17Defect petitionClosed 1987-08-07 Ford E-350 ems vehicle fires
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1987-07-17Defect petitionClosed 1987-08-18 Ford E350 ems veh. Fires
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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.
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1988-05-12Defect petitionClosed 1988-11-16 Fires-coolant hose failure
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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.
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1989-01-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-28 Fires
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1989-02-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-08-02 Heater hose misrouting
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-04-19 Heater hose misrouting
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-08-29 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-03-15 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-21 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-06-15 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-19 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-03-15 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-19 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-03-15 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-03-15 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-06-15 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-19 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-08-03 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-19 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-08-29 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-08-29 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-03-15 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-09-27 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-03 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-09-27 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-09-28 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-05 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-03-15 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-19 Underhood fires
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-08-01 Underhood fires
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1989-03-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-08-01 Heater hose routing
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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.
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1989-06-26Visibility89V075000 Heater hose may be incorrectly routed.
Remedy: Reroute and splice hose as necessary.
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1989-09-01Visibility89V140000 Heater hose may be incorrectly routed.
Remedy: Reroute and repair hose as necessary.
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1989-11-06Visibility89V139000 Heater hose may be incorrectly routed.
Remedy: Reroute and repair hose, as necessary.
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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.