RoadVitals

1990 Ford E350

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Feb 25, 2009
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Sep 4, 1991
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
7
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Ford E350, most frequently naming the brakes, body & structure and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 7 NHTSA investigations name it; and 7 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes1354.2%
  • Body & structure312.5%
  • Engine28.3%
  • Fuel system28.3%
  • Tires & wheels28.3%
  • Electrical14.2%
  • Seat belts14.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
91V146000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

Sep 4, 1991
350,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE MAY MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN OVERFILL CONDITION IN ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS, RESULTING IN AN OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP.
The risk: THE OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP CAUSES A FUELLEAKAGE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The remedy: REPLACE THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
90V101000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Jun 1, 1990
111,000 units potentially affected
The defect: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
The risk: WHEN THE GEAR IS PLACED IN PARK, THE PARK GEAR WOULD NOTENGAGE, ALLOWING THE TRUCK TO ROLL FREELY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT PROPERLYSET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: INSTALL IMPROVED SNAP RING AND REVISED TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

SQ99005ClosedInvestigation

FRONT BRAKE FADE

Opened Feb 10, 1999
Closed Sep 21, 2001

FRONT BRAKES CAN FADE

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EA93014ClosedEngineering Analysis

ALTERNATOR BELT FAILURE

Opened Jun 4, 1993
Closed Jul 29, 1994

There is no summary currently available

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
EA91044ClosedEngineering Analysis

LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES

Opened Oct 30, 1991
Closed Oct 30, 1992

===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICLed to recall 92V026000
EA91031ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL EXPULSION

Opened Jun 26, 1991
Closed Nov 1, 1991

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESLed to recall 91V146000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 23
Fuel system
Filed Feb 25, 2009

FUEL FROM REAR TANK OVERFLOWED TO FRONT TANK WHICH LEAKED OUT EXCESS FUEL. OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE REPAIRS. DID A SEARCH FOR THE ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A SECRET OPEN WARRANTY COVERING THE ISSUE, CALLED FORD AND GOT 'PERMISSION' TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS WORSE ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT FRANK JACKSON IN SANDY SPRINGS GA. SO I HAD TO WAIT A COUPLE MORE DAYS TO GET THE NEW ONE. IT SEEMS FINE NOW. BUT HOW MANY MORE OF THE SENSORS OR WHATEVER IT'S CALLED ARE BAD THAT THEY HAVE IN STOCK TO REPLACE EXISTING FAULTY ONES? *TR

NHTSA ID
10259862
Incident
Jan 2, 2009
Mileage
89,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 15, 2001

THE FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPERS DO NOT RETRACT AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES, FRICTION FROM THE BRAKE PADS CAUSES THE BRAKE FLUID TO BOIL EFFECTIVELY RESULTING IN NO BRAKE OPERATION, THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS LEFT SITTING FOR ABOUT A MONTH, RUST DEVELOPS ON THE SLIDER BARS WHICH PREVENTS THE CALIPERS FROM RETRACTING TO THE RESET POSITION. NLM

NHTSA ID
561661
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 28, 2000

TWO OF THE FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL R4S LT 215/85R16 MS TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, FIRST TIME TIRE WRAPPED AND DAMAGED ADJOINING TIRE ON LEFT REAR DUAL, SECOND TIRE UNWRAPPED AND BROKE OUT BOTTOM OF THE HOLDING TANK, CONSUMER INSTALLED ARMOR PLAT TO PROTECT NEW TANK. *MJS

NHTSA ID
557602
Incident
Dec 1, 1995
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 11, 2000

FIRESTONE, STEEL TEX R4S, LT235/85R16 SIZE . TREAD ON THREE OF THE TIRES SEPARATED ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT ON ONE OCCASION, HE ALMOST HIT HEAD ON WITH A TRACTOR TRAILOR. *SLC

NHTSA ID
872753
Incident
Aug 6, 1997
Brakes
Filed Sep 10, 1999

CONSUMER WAS COMING DOWN A HILL IN IN DRY WEATHER CONDITION WHEN PROCEEDING TO STOP AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES .CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GRADUALLY STOP VEHICLE BEFORE A CRASH. *AK

NHTSA ID
847487
Incident
Aug 10, 1999
Engine
Filed Oct 1, 1998

GASKET O-RING FAILURE RESULTING IN LEAK WHICH CAUSED FUEL FILTER TO BECOME OBSTRUCTED AND GASOLINE TO LEAK VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
541930
Engine
Filed Mar 23, 1998

CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH.

NHTSA ID
533189
Incident
May 22, 1997
Brakes
Filed Apr 21, 1997

DISC BRAKES OVERHEAT, BRAKE FLUID BOILS OUT; PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH; CALIPERS STICK; GARAGE BLED BRAKES, REPLACED ROTORS/CALIPERS. *AK

NHTSA ID
811365
Incident
Apr 20, 1997

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

985A29

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, IRREGULAR FRONT LINING WEAR, AND BRAKE PULL. *YC

985A12

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:WRECKER AND WHEEL LIFT DEVICES

RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES FOR TOWING BEHIND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. *TT

985A38

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

FRONT CALIPER PISTON BOOTS DAMAGED. *YC

97215

DIAGNOSTIC GUIDES FOR OUT-OF-WARRANTY VEHICLES TO BE USED AS A MASTER COPY - DIAGNOSTIC GUIDES NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM ADISTRA. *TW

951113

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DELAYED FORWARD ENGAGEMENT AND/OR HEAT STAINED FORWARD CLUTCH PLATES AFTER INSTALLING CENTER SUPPORT SERVICE. *TW

BC2893950401

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

UNKNOWN

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford E350 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010—
2026010—
2025110—
2024210—
2023220—
2022143155.3
2021206155.5
2020200—
2019300—
2018340—
2017134057.6
2016530—
2015721—
20141711052.9
2013139048.3
20121612047.2
20111920053.7
20101718047.2
20091027054.5
20083932259.3
20071835259.8
20065339261.5
20055516256.3
20044611358.2
2003468361.7
2002535355.4
2001524457.0
2000598461.9
1999729563.5
1998638457.4
1997795463.4
1996503150.3
1995693052.9
1994515158.7
1993433158.2
1992413359.5
1991191654.3
1990Viewing232754.9
1989263659.2
1988111461.7
19871485369.3
198611115774.6
198521056—
198441256—
19835854—
1982032—
1981022—
1980012—
1979032—
1978052—
1977011—
1976011—
1975041—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.