Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 10 of 50 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Tires. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
50 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2002
Exterior Lighting
GULF STREAM RV MANIFACTORYING. BUILT THE CLASS C RV ON FORD E-350 CUT A WAY CHASSIS. THE FORD CHASSIS MANUAL STATES THAT IT IS SUPPLIED W/ 2 HAZARD AND TURN LIGHTS ON FRONT AND 2 ON THE BACK (TOTAL OF 4 LIGHTS) AND A FLASHER FOR 2 BULB AND 4 BULB MAX FLASHER #SF-602 THIS IS THE ONLY FLASHER THAT FORD HAS. GULF STREAM ADDED …
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GULF STREAM RV MANIFACTORYING. BUILT THE CLASS C RV ON FORD E-350 CUT A WAY CHASSIS. THE FORD CHASSIS MANUAL STATES THAT IT IS SUPPLIED W/ 2 HAZARD AND TURN LIGHTS ON FRONT AND 2 ON THE BACK (TOTAL OF 4 LIGHTS) AND A FLASHER FOR 2 BULB AND 4 BULB MAX FLASHER #SF-602 THIS IS THE ONLY FLASHER THAT FORD HAS. GULF STREAM ADDED ANOTHER TURN/ HAZARD BULB ON EACH SIDE ON REAR. PLUS TWO TRAILOR LIGHTS. THE FORD REFERENCE MANUEL PAGE 19 TABLE H STATES THAT IF MORE LIGHTS ARE ADDED THEY ARE TO CHANGE THE TURN SIGNAL FLASHER. WITH ONE HAVING THE CORRECT LAMP RAREING. GULF STREAM DIDN'T DO THIS THEY LEFT THE ONE THAT FORD PUT ON AT THE FACTORY. WHEN YOU TURN THE HAZARD FLASHER LIGHT ON IT OVER LOADS THE FLASHER OUT ($38.00 EA) THEN YOU DON'T HAVE FLASHERS. I HAVE BURNT OUT 2 SO FAR. I HAVE CONTACTED GULF STREAM RV ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND ON THIS. THEY SAID I AM THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM. ONLY THE 1996 FORD E-350 USES THIS FLASHER. I CAN'T FIND ANOTHER ONE ANY WHERE THAT WILL WORK IN THE E-350. FORD TOLD ME THAT IS THE ONLY FLASHER THAT WILL WORK AND THAT IT IS A GULF STREAM PROBLEM AND THEY DENY THE PROBLEM. THIS AFFECTS ALL 1996 FORD E350 VANS. DT
NHTSA ODI #770404
20,200 miles · Nov 25, 2002
Tires
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED 3 TREAD SEPARATIONS ON FIRESTONE STEEL TEX BRAND. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN CONTACTED. TS ONE OTHER TIRE SHOWED SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION WHICH INCLUDED THE SPARE. ALL TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT *JB
NHTSA ODI #8023267
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2002
Equipment
CONSUMER STATE WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE SPEAR TIRE CARRIER HAD BROKEN CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO FALL FROM UNDER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA ODI #8023188
Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2002
Tires
3 TIRES ALL SEPERATED AT DIFFERENT TIMES WITHIN A 3 MONTH. BOTH FRONT TIRES AND ONE REAR TIRE. ALL 3 TIRES HAD THE SAME DOT NUMBER. THE OTHER 3 TIRES DID NOT SEPERATE AND HAD A DIFFERENT DOT NUMBER. I STILL HAVE ALL OF THE TIRES. DT
NHTSA ODI #769140
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #761336
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2002
Tires
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #761178
Mileage unknown · Dec 24, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire
UPON INSTALLING PERFORMANCE FRICTION BRAKE PADS ON VEHICLE, I FELT THEY WERE WRONG. I CALLED AUTO ZONE FROM WHOM I PURCHASED AFTER MEASURING AND FINDING THEY WERE 0.773 THICK. THEY ASSURED ME THEY WERE THE RIGHT PADS. I INSTALLED AND THOUGHT NOTHING MORE OF IT. UPON DRIVING VEHICLE AROUND A MONTH LATER, I HAD NOT GOTTEN 5 MILES …
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UPON INSTALLING PERFORMANCE FRICTION BRAKE PADS ON VEHICLE, I FELT THEY WERE WRONG. I CALLED AUTO ZONE FROM WHOM I PURCHASED AFTER MEASURING AND FINDING THEY WERE 0.773 THICK. THEY ASSURED ME THEY WERE THE RIGHT PADS. I INSTALLED AND THOUGHT NOTHING MORE OF IT. UPON DRIVING VEHICLE AROUND A MONTH LATER, I HAD NOT GOTTEN 5 MILES WHEN THE FRICTION CAUSED MY CALIPER SEALS TO CATCH FIRE. WE CONTACTED PERFORMANCE FRICTION THE SAME DAY AND TALKED TO MIKE COCHRANE, WHO ASSURED HE WOULD INVESTIGATE AND GET BACK TO ME. AFTER NOT HEARING ANYTHING FOR OVER A WEEK, WE CONTACTED AGAIN. THIS TIME I TALKED TO JENNIFER RAMSEY, WHOM CONTACTED ME THE FOLLOWING VIA E-MAIL AND SAID THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE AND GET BACK. I DID SOME INVESTIGATING MYSELF AND FOUND THE FOLLOWING : NAPA PADS MEASURED 0.719 ; ALBANY 0.720 ; WAGNER 0.717 ; WAGNER HEAVY DUTY 0.738 AAND MOTORCRAFT 0.738. I REPORTED THESE FINDINGS TO MS. RAMSEY AND ASKED WHY THEIR PADS WERE NEARLY 0.040 THICKER THAN ANY OTHER MANUFACTURER, BUT STILL HAVE NO ANSWER. THE LAST CONTACT I RECEIVED FROM MS. RAMSEY STATED THAT THESE PADS WERE HIGH VOLUME SELLERS AND THEY HAD NO OTHER COMPLAINTS, AND THEY WERE STILL INVESTIGATING DATED 11/07/01. I LAST E-MAILED MS. RAMSEY ON 12/07/01 AND HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THANK YOU. *AK
NHTSA ODI #755991
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2001
Tires
TIRES CAME APART& BLEWOUT.*AK (TIRESIZE: 225/75R16R)
NHTSA ODI #753753
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2001
Tires
ORIGINAL MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT ON A FORD, E350, 1996. 10,000 MILES ON TIRES. TIRE SIZE LT24575R16. TREAD SEPARATED FROM SIDEWALL OF RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. CONSUMER REPLACED TIRE WITH SAME MODEL TIRE THAT HAD DEVELOPED SPLITS IN THE SIDEWALL. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #890319
Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE WAS VIBRATING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A SHOP, AND BOTH FRONT ROTORS WERE CRACKED. *AK
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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)
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE02070 · Alleged Brake Hose Failures
Opened Oct 1, 2002 · Closed Jan 9, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FORD HAS RECEIVED NO OWNER REPORTS OF FAILURE, OTHER THAN THE FOUR ODI REPORTS THAT CAME FROM A SINGLE FLEET IN NEW YORK STATE.FORD ALSO REPORTS THAT IT HAS RECEIVED NO FIELD REPORTS AND DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY WARRANTY CLAIMS ALLEGING THE SUBJECT PROBLEM.FORD ESTIMATES THAT THE 86,910 SUBJECT VEHICLES (THAT HAVE OVER 6 YEARS EXPOSURE), HAVE ACCUMULATED OVER SIX BILLION MILES OF SERVICE AND THAT THE VIRTUAL LACK OF REPORTS INDICATES THAT THERE IS NO DEFECT TREND.BASED ON FORD'S DATA, A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND DOES NOT APPEAR TO EXIST AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR FIELD REPORTS FOR THIS PROBLEM AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF INDICATED.
1996 Ford E-350 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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