IllustrationAFTER NOTICING A FUEL SMELL CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED AND FOUND FUEL TANK WAS CRACKING AT SEAMS. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR FUEL TANK ON 1997-2001 VANS, BUT THIS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
1996 Ford E-350
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all E-350 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsCONSUMER HAS A 1996, FORD, 350 AND LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD CAME OFF WITHOUT WARNING. TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED. TREAD GOT CAUGHT AND WIPED OUT HEATER AND A/C LINE. CONSUMER WAS WAS TRAVELING 60MPH. DEALER REPLACED TIRE WITH A SPARE. AT THIS TIME VEHICLE HAD 21,000 MILES. *AK RIGHT REAR TIRE ALSO EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, FIR…
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CONSUMER HAS A 1996, FORD, 350 AND LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD CAME OFF WITHOUT WARNING. TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED. TREAD GOT CAUGHT AND WIPED OUT HEATER AND A/C LINE. CONSUMER WAS WAS TRAVELING 60MPH. DEALER REPLACED TIRE WITH A SPARE. AT THIS TIME VEHICLE HAD 21,000 MILES. *AK RIGHT REAR TIRE ALSO EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, FIRESTONE TIRES, P225/75R16. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE ENTIRE TREAD CAME OF THE RIGHT INSIDE DUAL TIRE, FIRESTONE LT 22575R16, WHICH PUT A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE MOTORHOME.
SYMPTOM IS THE ABS LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR A FEW WEEKS, THEN STEADY. WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON, THE ABS IS INOPERATIVE (UNSAFE CONDITION). THE 1ST HCU FAILED WITHIN 2 YEARS ($550 TO REPLACE). THE SECOND FAILED JUST OVER A YEAR LATER. THE DEALER MECHANIC SAYS THAT HE SEES *LOTS* OF THESE ($550 TO REPLACE EACH …
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SYMPTOM IS THE ABS LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR A FEW WEEKS, THEN STEADY. WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON, THE ABS IS INOPERATIVE (UNSAFE CONDITION). THE 1ST HCU FAILED WITHIN 2 YEARS ($550 TO REPLACE). THE SECOND FAILED JUST OVER A YEAR LATER. THE DEALER MECHANIC SAYS THAT HE SEES *LOTS* OF THESE ($550 TO REPLACE EACH OCCURRENCE). FORD CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY. I HAVE A CLASS C MOTORHOME BASED ON THE SAME '96 FORD E350 CHASSIS. THE ABS LIGHT IS COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. I BELIEVE THE HCU'S THAT FORD IS INSTALLING ARE DEFECTIVE AND THEY SHOULD DESIGN A BETTER ONE (THAT LASTS LONGER THAN 1-2 YEARS). CURRENTLY, FORD EXPECTS THE CUSTOMER TO PAY $550 EVERY 1-2 YEARS JUST TO KEEP THE ABS SYSTEM FUNCTIONAL. THAT'S ON TOP OF ANY OTHER NORMAL MAINTENANCE THE VEHICLE REQUIRES. THANKS. *AK
FIRESTONE STEELTEX R4S TIRE (P225/75R16) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE HOLDING TANK. *SLC
UPON STARTING VEHICLE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BLEWOUT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MECHANIC. PARTS COULD NOT BE ORDERED LOCALLY BECAUSE THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD. IT TOOK TWELVE DAYS BEFORE PARTS ARRIVED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
THE REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY WAS EXPERIENCING TREAD SEPARATION OF FIRESTONE TIRES (STEELTEX R4S 225-75R16) USED ON THEIR BUSES. (E-350 SUPER DUTY CHASSIS 1996,1997 AND 1999) *YH
TREAD PEALED AWAY FROM CASING AND THEN CASING BLEW OUT. *AK (DOT NUMBER: LD16 TIRESIZE: LT 225/75)
DURING THE PAST 3 YEARS WE HAVE HAD 5 TIRES FAIL ON OUR 24 FT. MOTORHOME WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON THE OPEN ROAD. IN ALL 5 CASES THE BELTS APPEARED TO SEPRATE FROM THE TIRE AND CAUSE THE TREAD TO COME OFF. THREE TIMES THE TIRES BLEW OUT WHILE GOING 60 MPH. I TOOK THE TIRES TO FIRESTONE DEALERS IN PALM SPRINGS AND LANCASTER, …
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DURING THE PAST 3 YEARS WE HAVE HAD 5 TIRES FAIL ON OUR 24 FT. MOTORHOME WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON THE OPEN ROAD. IN ALL 5 CASES THE BELTS APPEARED TO SEPRATE FROM THE TIRE AND CAUSE THE TREAD TO COME OFF. THREE TIMES THE TIRES BLEW OUT WHILE GOING 60 MPH. I TOOK THE TIRES TO FIRESTONE DEALERS IN PALM SPRINGS AND LANCASTER, CA TO BE REPLACED, ON EACH OCCASION I ASKED IF THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE TIRES AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT. IN IN APRIL 2000 I REPLACED THE 2 FRONT TIRES WITH LOAD RATE E(ALL ORIGINAL TIRES HAD LOAD D. I WAS TOLD BY THE FIRESTONE DEALER THIS WOULD HELP THE PROBLEM.) IN PALM SPRINGS AFTER I HAD A BLOW OUT ON THE FRONT. IN AUGUST I REPLACED THE OTHER 5 TIRES WITH LOAD RATE E AFTER HAVING 2 BLOW OUTS IN ONE DAY, BOTH ON THE REAR..*AK (DOT NUMBER: VDIL 1XB 4 TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)
NO SUMMARY( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT225/75 )
Official recalls
309V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Oct 13, 2009
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.
08V051000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
Feb 4, 2008
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.
06V286000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Aug 1, 2006
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
1PE02070 · 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.