Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1985 Ford E350, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Tires1
- Electrical system1
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 1985 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… |
| 1986079 18 Jul 1986 | Steering UNDER CERTAIN LOW SPEED TIGHT TURNING CONDITIONS UNDER HIGH LOAD, THE RUBBER WITHIN THE RUBBER ENCASED BALL STUD AND SOCKET JOINT CONNECTING THE STEERING DRAG L… |
| 1986078 17 Jul 1986 | Structure E350 RV AND COMMERCIAL CUTAWAY ECONOLINE VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES WHERE COMPLETED WITH BODIES WHICH RESTRICTED THE DISSAPATION OF UNDERBODY HEAT.IN SUCH A CASE… |
| 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. |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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 SEPARATION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE DRAG LINK TO PITMAN ARM CONNECTION RESULTS IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
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 TRANSMISSION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE DRIVESHAFT DISCONNECTS FROM THE TRANSMISSION THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME IMMOBILE WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
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 1985 Ford E350: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 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
FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILS
HEATER HOSE ROUTING
UNDERHOOD FIRES
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HEATER HOSE MISROUTING
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HEATER HOSE MISROUTING
FIRES-COOLANT HOSE FAILURE
FORD E350 EMS VEH. FIRES
FORD E-350 EMS VEHICLE FIRES
FUEL EXPULSION
FILLER NECK SPURT
FUEL LEAKS/FIRES
FILLER NECK SPURT
FUEL SPURTING/FIRES
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation