1994 Ford E-350

Routine

Owners filed 51 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 5 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip11
101
Tires4
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission3
000
Tires › Tread/Belt2
000
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System1
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control1
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Suspension › Rear1
000
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint1
000
Suspension › Front1
100

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility14V197000
Filed Apr 16, 201466 vehiclesCummings Mobility Conversion & Supply, I

Defect. Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply, Inc. (Cummings) is recalling various model year 1994-2011 Ford and Chevrolet vans equipped with Braun NCL-2, and NVL-2 wheel chair lifts manufactured November 20, 2006, through September 10, 2010. Over time, and with frequent use, the roll stop latches on the outer barrier of the lifts in these vans may become bent or misaligned.

Risk. A wheelchair occupant may defeat or ride over the insufficiently latched roll stop. If this occurs when the lift platform is in an elevated position, the wheelchair's occupant could fall and sustain injury.

Remedy. Braun Corporation notified all the vehicle owners, and Cummings Mobility replaced the recalled parts with new parts, free of charge. The recall was completed as of April 10, 2014. Owners may contact Cummings customer service at 1-800-639-5438.

Vehicle Speed Control09V399000
Filed Oct 13, 20094,500,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Risk. A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy. FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control08V051000
Filed Feb 4, 2008225,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.

Risk. AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Vehicle Speed Control06V286000
Filed Aug 1, 20061,200,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Risk. OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)

Parking Brake › Conventional93V194000
Filed Nov 23, 1993106 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE PARKING BRAKE APPLICATION FORCE FOR A FOOT OPERATED CONTROL SYSTEM SHOULD NOT EXCEED 125 POUNDS TO HOLD THE VEHICLE ON A 30% GRADE. INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL AND A WIRE HARNESS MAY INCREASE THE NEEDED PEDAL FORCE TO GREATER THAN 125 POUNDS TO SET THE PARKING BRAKE TO HOLD THE VEHICLE ON THE 30% GRADE.

Risk. THE INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE FOOT PEDAL AND THE WIREHARNESS MAY NOT ALLOW THE PARKING BRAKE TO FULLY SET. IF THIS OCCURS WHEN THEVEHICLE IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, IT MAY ROLL, CAUSING A CRASH.

Remedy. FINAL STAGE MANUFACTURERS WILL BE INFORMED OF THIS CONDITION AND PROVIDED WITH PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS NECESSARY TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 29, 2011236,000 milesKS

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH WITH SPEED CONTROL ENGAGED. TRUCK AHEAD OF ME APPLIED BRAKES. I APPLIED MY BRAKES. SPEED CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE. BRAKE FROZE IN 'HIGH' ('OFF') POSITION WITHOUT ANY BRAKE APPLICATION. PASSING GEAR WAS ENGAGED AND VEHICLE SHOT FORWARD. FOOT CONTACT WITH BRAKE OR ACCELERATOR DID NOT AFFECT ACCELERATION OR SHUT OFF SPEED CONTROL. I MANUALLY TURNED OFF THE SPEED CONTROL NARROWLY AVOIDING A COLLISION. TESTED THE SYSTEM ON AN OPEN STRETCH OF INTERSTATE LATER IN THE DAY AND THE SITUATION DUPLICATED ITSELF 4 TIMES. VEHICLE IS AT DEALERS NOW FOR INSPECTION: OLATHE FORD, OLATHE KS

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 20, 2010435,448 milesVA

SUDDEN BRAKE HOSE FAILURE. 1994 FORD DIESEL E350 W/4-WHEEL ABS. BRAKE HOSE FAILURE DUE TO RUSTED PORTION OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY . THE AREA THAT RUSTED AWAY IS THE CRIMPED CONNECTION WHICH JOINS THE RUBBER HOSE TO THE STEEL FITTING AT THE CALIPER END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY. THIS RUST IS NOT VISIBLE WHILE DOING A ROUTINE INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM BECAUSE IT IS COVERED BY A RUBBER SLEEVE. APPARENTLY WATER/MOISTURE IS COLLECTING UNDER THIS RUBBER SLEEVE AND CORRODING THE STEEL CRIMPED AREA OF THE FITTING UNTIL THERE IS NO MORE OF A SECURE CONNECTION OF THE RUBBER HOSE TO THE STEEL , THEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND THE FLUID IS PRESSURIZED IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM THE RUBBER HOSE WILL BLOW AWAY FROM THE STEEL FITTING. (IDENTICAL FAILURE IN NHTSA DATABASE MAY 06, 2002 - TOMS RIVER, NJ). *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 13, 2009230,000 milesFL

WHEN I AM DRIVING MY 1994 E350 DIESEL TRUCK, THERE WILL BE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES RESULTING IN A LOSS OF ABILITY TO STOP THE TRUCK. FORTUNATELY, I WAS TRAVELING AT A SLOW SPEED WITH PLENTY OF CLEARANCE AHEAD OF ME AND WAS ABLE TO PULL THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD AND HAVE IT TOWED IN TO A MECHANIC SHOP. SO FAR THE SERPENTINE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED, A NEW TENSIONER INSTALLED, AND A NEW IDLER PUT IN. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. I SEE THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED # 9610030000 BY NHTSA FOR 1994 FORD ECONOLINE E350 TRUCKS WITH SERPENTINE BELT PROBLEMS AND THAT THE FORD DEALERS HAVE AGREED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. WHEN I CALL FORD, THEY SAY THAT MY VIN# IS NOT AMONG THOSE THAT WERE RECALLED. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME I HAVE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES DUE TO A SERPENTINE BELT MALFUNCTION. I BELIEVE THAT MORE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED THAT YEAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

Tires
Filed Feb 9, 2009285,359 milesTX

WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD AND NOTICEABLE VIBRATION IN VAN. TOOK VAN TO SEARS SERVICE CENTER IN LAS CRUCES. MECHANIC ADVISED THAT ONE OF THE TIRES WAS COMING APART FROM INSIDE OUT. TIRE HAD A VERY NOTICEABLE WEAVE PATTERN. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling SystemFire
Filed Dec 1, 2006MI

1994 E350 CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS A MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THE TRUCK HAD A BAD WATER PUMP AND THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Jul 14, 200628,945 milesAR

1994 FORD E350, CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE. *KB AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER DROVE IT DIRECTLY TO AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALERSHIP FOR AND INITIAL INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING AND DOUBTED HIS ABILITY TO GET IT REPAIRED UNDER THE VEHICLE'S EXTENDED WARRANTY, SINCE IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN INOPERATIVE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. FOR SEVERAL DAYS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE SALES DEALER. MESSAGES WERE LEFT BUT NONE OF THE CALLS WERE RETURNED. THE CONSUMER FINALLY SPOKE WITH THE OWNER OF THE DEALER WHO REPUDIATED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND BOASTED THAT HE HAD THE CONSUMER'S INITIAL ON THREE SEPARATE DOCUMENTS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD AS-IS. *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Nov 5, 200425,000 milesNY

REPAIR SHOP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT WIRES MELTED ON THE TANK'; THE PROBLEM WAS NOT YET RESOLVED.*AK *TC

Tires
Filed Feb 11, 2004PA

THERE ARE METAL LINES POSITIONED OVER THE LEFT REAR TIRE. THE DEBRIS AND WATER FROM THE ROAD CAUSED THESE METAL LINES TO RUST AND LEAK, CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO DROP ONTO THE TIRE. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE COULD CAUSE THE TIRES TO LOSE TRACTION WHILE DRIVING. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jun 23, 2003CT

WHEN TRYING TO STOP ABRUPTLY ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM TAKES OVER WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LOSE BRAKE POWER. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Jan 10, 200344,000 milesMN

ACTUALLY THE COMPLAINT IS IN REGARD TO A NEAR MISS CONDITION WHILE DRIVIING MY 1994 DAMON ULTRASPORT (FORD E350) MOTOR HOME. WHILE REURNING FROM VACATION I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING ON THE FRONT OF MY MOTORHOME WAS LOOSE AND AS I WAS PASSED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER RIG IN IOWA ON INTERSTATE 80 THE WIND TURBULANCE CAUSED MY VEHICLE STEERING TO BE VERY ERRATIC. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A SERVICE CALL AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THE SERVICE MECHANIC AT MONTICELLO FORD. THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICHLE AND SAID THE TOP BALL JOINTS WERE WORN APPROXIMATELY AN 1/8". FORD SAID THE TOLERANCE IS 1/4' AND MY WARRANTY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS MEMORY STEERING BY THE MECHANIC. IN THE ABSENCE OF WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR AN $800 REPAIR, HE RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE THE STEERING DAMPENER TO SEE IF IT HELPS MITIGATE THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMED TO REDUCE THE PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT ELIMINATED IT. HE DOES NOT RECOMMEND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WITH THE BALL JOINTS BEING SO LOOSE. HE ALSO MENTIONED HE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHY FORD SPECIFIES A 1/4" WHEN CHRYSLER SPECIFIES 1/16" WERE LIMITS ON THE BALL JOINTS. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT FORD HAS A SPECIFICATION THAT IS NOT REALISTIC AND PUTS THE LIVES OF THEIR VAN AND MOTORHOMES DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS AT RISK EPSPECIALLY ON FREEWAYS WHERE DRIVERS GO 70-75MPH IN SEMI RIGS CAUSING VEHICLES NEAR THEM TO BE IN JEPARDY IS THEIR STEERING IS AS LOOSE AS FORD ALLOWS.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Aug 21, 2002MI

EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT AND THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT THE MANUFACTURER PAY FOR AT LEAST HALF THE BILL FOR THE FAILED COMPONENT. NLM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System
Filed May 10, 2002CT

FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. REGULATOR WAS SUPPOSED TO READ AT A VERY LOW NUMBER, BUT WHEN VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING, IT WAS READING AT 90 LBS. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE REGULATOR IS SUPPOSED TO REGULATE PRESSURE TO 35 PSI. VEHICLE WAS STILL DRIVE ABLE, BUT WAS RUNNING VERY RICH DUE TO REGULATOR MALFUNCTION. *YH

Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood
Filed Dec 18, 2001NY

WHILE ADJUSTING TILT MECHANISM FOR STEERING COLUMN WIRING HARNESS SEPARATED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS/ TURN SIGNALS, AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION. *AK

Tires
Filed Sep 17, 2001AZ

IN THE LAST 2,000 MILES, I HAVE HAD 3 TIRES SEPARATE AND BLOW OUT. *AK (TIRESIZE: LT225/75R1)

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › SwitchFire
Filed Aug 6, 2001TX

CONSUMER STATES WHEN HE RETURNED TO VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT HEADLIGHTS WERE ON, WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR THE LIGHT SWITCH WAS ON IS OFF POSITION, AND AT THAT TIME, THAT IS WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, CONSUMER DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY WHICH STOPPED THE SMOKE, CONSUMER REMOVED THE MALFUNCTIONED SWITCH THAT SHORTED OUT, AND HAS SINCE REPLACED THE SWITCH.*JB

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jul 23, 2001CO

DURING A TRIP IN AUGUST OF 2000 I HAD THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED IN DOING SO IT TOOK OUT THE FLOOR/CABINET/WIRING/ EXHAUST/ FENDER, AND FLARES, ETC.THEN AGAIN ON 6/08/01 WITHIN 150 MILES, I LOST 3 MORE TIRES DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. THIS TIME IT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS,WHEN TREAD SEPARATED IT TOOK OUT THE HOLDING TANK ALONG WITH THE FUEL TANK FILL TUBE AND VENT TUBE. IF ANYTHING IT WOULD HAVE SPARKED THE WHOLE THING COULD HAVE GONE UP IN FLAMES.THESE WERE AT SPEEDS OF 65MPH AND UNDER AND ON SOME VERY HOT DAYS.ALL TIRES HAD AROUND 11/32 OF TREAD LEFT ON THEM.I'AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE AND CAUSE SOME INJURY OR DEATH. *AK (TIRESIZE: 225/75R16)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Wheel Cylinders
Filed Nov 13, 2000OR

OWNER HAS A FLEET OF 22 1994-1995 VEHICLES THAT ARE STARTING TO SHOW A HIGH RATE OF FAILURES OF THE UPPER BRAKE SHOE ANCHOR IS BREAKING OUT OF THE BACKING PLATE, THIS CAUSES THE BRAKE SHOES TO CONTACT THE OUTBOARD FACE OF THE BRAKE DRUM, WHICH CAN ALSO CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL CYLINDER AND CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE. *SLC

Tires
Filed Nov 5, 2000AL

TREAD SEPERATION AT HIGH SPEED CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO WHEEL WELL AND FENDER (DOT NUMBER: MD11AMHV 4 TIRESIZE: LT245/7R16)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Nov 5, 2000AL

ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Oct 4, 2000TN

THE TIRE STARTED TREAD DELAMINATION. AN 8 INCH STRIP PEELED AWAY FROM THE TIRE. I STOPPED, CHANGED TO THE SPARE, AND THE NEXT DAY REPLACED ALL THE RUNNING TIRES WITH MICHELIN TIRES. THE SPARE IS STILL FROM THE ORIGINAL SET OF FIRESTONE. (DOT NUMBER: VNII8IA TIRESIZE: LT245/75R1)

20 of 51 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1997
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20270100Routine
20260100Routine
20252100Routine
20242100Routine
20232200Routine
202214300Routine
202122600Routine
20202000Routine
20193010Routine
20183400Routine
201713410Routine
20165300Routine
20157200Routine
2014171110Routine
201313900Routine
2012161210Routine
2011192000Routine
2010171800Routine
2009102720Routine
2008393200Routine
2007183510Routine
2006533920Routine
2005551620Routine
2004461111Fatalities reported
200346841Fatalities reported
200253510Routine
200152430Routine
200059832Fatalities reported
199972932Fatalities reported
199863810Routine
199779562Fatalities reported
199650310Routine
199569331Fatalities reported
1994 — this page51550Routine
199343340Routine
199241340Routine
199119120Routine
199023210Routine

Compare every E-350 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 16, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.