Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1983 Ford E350, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Power train1
- Tires1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls in Canada
7 Transport Canada recalls for the 1983 Ford E350.
| 1991125 11 Sept 1991 | Structure THE AIR DEFLECTOR MAY BE INADEQUATELY BONDED TO THE TRUCK BODY AND MAY SEPARATE AT HIGH SPEED. A DETACHED DEFLECTOR COULD BE HAZARDOUS TO OTHER VEHICLES. C… |
| 1988140 6 Oct 1988 | Heater And Defroster EXTREME OPERATING CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEATER HOSES OR ENGINE BYPASS HOSES. ENGINE COOLANT COULD DISCHARGE O… |
| 1987105 7 Oct 1987 | Structure 1983-87 E-250 AND 350 WITH 7.5 LITRE AND 1985-87 HEAVY DUTY E-250 AND 350 WITH 5.8 LITRE 4V ENGINE AND A GVW OVER 8,500 LBS. THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN DETERMINED… |
| 1987094 25 Aug 1987 | Fuel System ON AMBULANCES EQUIPPED WITH 7.5 LITRE ENGINES,VARIOUS FACTORS MAY CAUSE EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY TEMPERATURES OR FUEL SYSTEM OVERPRESSURIZATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN… |
| 1985062 17 May 1985 | Not Entered THESE VEHICLES (VANS AND CLUB WAGONS) DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 301-FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY. |
| 1984044 8 Aug 1984 | Not Entered ON E350 SHUTTLE BUSES THE RETAINER STRAPS FOR THE MIDSHIP FUEL TANKS ARE ATTACHED TO TWO FUEL TANK CROSSMEMBER SUPPORTS. THESE SUPPORTS MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO DU… |
| 1982100 15 Dec 1982 | Not Entered A DIODE IN THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP CIRCUIT MAY BE OF INADEQUATE CAPACITY TO WITHSTAND CURRENT DRAW DURING ENGINE STARTING. THIS WOULD CAUSE A SHORT CIRUCIT IN T… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
EXTREME OPERATING CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEATER HOSES OR ENGINE BYPASS HOSES.
VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO EXCESSIVE UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES IN SEVERE DUTY APPLICATIONS.
EXPULSION OF FUEL DUE TO OVERPRESSURIZATION.
WHEN FRONTALLY IMPACTED INTO A FIXED BARRIER AT 30 MPH, AS SPECIFIED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 301, THE LEFT FRAME RAILS OF SUCH VEHICLES MAY DISPLACE INBOARD, PINCHING THE FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR CANISTER BETWEEN THE FRAME RAIL AND ENGINE SUFFICIENTLY TO DISPLACE THE FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR DRAIN ROD, ALLOWING THE CONTENTS OF THE CANISTER TO DRAIN. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL LEAK DURING OR AFTER A CRASH INCREASES THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE.
ATTACHING BOLTS ON FUEL TANK SUPPORTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED; ALSO, THE SUPPORTS ARE TOO THIN. HIGH LEVELS OF STRESS, WHICH COULD OCCUR UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS, COULD CAUSE CRACKS TO DEVELOP IN THE SUPPORT STRAPS. IF THE FUEL TANK SUPPORTS FRACTURE, THE FUEL TANK WILL SLIP FROM THE NORMAL POSITION, AND FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT.
SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE A DIODE IN THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP CIRCUIT THAT MAY SHORT DURING ENGINE STARTING DUE TO INADEQUATE CAPACITY TO WITHSTAND CURRENT DRAW. A SHORT CIRCUIT WOULD RESULT IN NORMAL ENGINE STARTING, BUT THE PUMP WILL NOT CONTINUE TO SUPPLY THE ENGINE WITH FUEL.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE LOCK WEDGES USED TO SECURE THE AXLE BEARING NUTS TO THE AXLE HOUSING MAY FALL OUT OF POSITION, ALLOWING THE NUT TO LOOSEN. THE NUT ON THE LEFT SIDE MAY FALL OFF, ALLOWING MOVEMENT OF THE AXLE SHAFT.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 1983 Ford E350: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 68393 | UNKNOWN |
| 601281 | A NO START OR HARD START CONDITION MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES DUE TO THE GLOW PLUG CONTROL SYSTEM. *YC |
| 601036 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, IRREGULAR FRONT LINING WEAR, AND BRAKE PULL. *YC |
| 39892 | THERE MAY BE A CONCERN OF POOR PERFORMANCE, COOLANT IN THE OIL AND ENGINE KNOCKING AND/OR HYDRAULIC LOCK ON SOME VEHICLES. *TW |
| 3055240 | UNKNOWN |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
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HEATER HOSE MISROUTING
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HEATER HOSE MISROUTING
UNDERHOOD FIRES
FIRES-COOLANT HOSE FAILURE
FORD E350 EMS VEH. FIRES
FORD E-350 EMS VEHICLE FIRES
FILLER NECK SPURT
FILLER NECK SPURT
DUAL REAR WHEEL RETENTION
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation