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: 2 of 10 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.
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
10 reports
110,000 miles · Aug 14, 2008
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD E350. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHIMMIED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURS WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND VARIOUS REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE STEERING COMPONENTS. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY REMEDIED THE …
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD E350. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHIMMIED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURS WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND VARIOUS REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE STEERING COMPONENTS. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 88V015000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA ODI #10238138
31,545 miles · Jan 28, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
I HAVE JUST PURCHASED A 1988 ESCAPER 26FT C CLASS MOTORHOME ON A FORD E350 CHASSIS. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 30,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE PARTY IN CALIFORNIA. I WAS RETURNING WITH IT TO MY HOME IN TEXAS WHEN JUST OUTSIDE OF PHOENIX A FIRE BROKE OUT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT, BUT EXTENSIVE D…
Read full complaint
I HAVE JUST PURCHASED A 1988 ESCAPER 26FT C CLASS MOTORHOME ON A FORD E350 CHASSIS. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 30,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE PARTY IN CALIFORNIA. I WAS RETURNING WITH IT TO MY HOME IN TEXAS WHEN JUST OUTSIDE OF PHOENIX A FIRE BROKE OUT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT, BUT EXTENSIVE DAMAGE OCCURRED. IT APPEARS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAD MELTED THE INSULATION ON THE FLOORBOARD AND THE FIRE STARTED THERE. THE INSPECTOR WHO PERFORMED THE INITIAL INSPECTION AND INFORMED ME THAT THE FORD MOTORHOMES THAT YEAR AND THE NEXT WERE PROWN TO EXHAUST FIRES BECAUSE THEY HAD NO SECONDARY HEAT SHIELDS AROUND THE CONVERTER/MUFFLER, AND THAT THE LATER YEAR MODELS WERE EQUIPPED WITH THEM. CAN THIS BE TRUE? AND IS THERE ANY RECOURSE AGAINST THE MANUFACTURER? THANK YOU. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10108187
Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING THROTTLE CABLE POPPED OUT OF THE PLASTIC BRACKET,(WHICH THERE WASNO PART HOLDING DOWN THE THROTTLE CABLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO IDLE AND LOSS OF POWER. THS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. SAME INCIDENT HAPPEN TO A FORD BRONCO. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #852929
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
THROTTLE FAILURE RESULTING IMMEDIATE DROP TO FAST IDLE SPEED.
NHTSA ODI #712124
Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
UPON APPLYING FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND BRAKES FADING AWAY. AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKES, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE BRAKES WERE FUNCTIONING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #809470
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 1996
Electrical SystemFire
WIRING HARNESS SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE.
NHTSA ODI #508008
Mileage unknown · May 29, 1996
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #504849
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 1996
Electrical System
IGNITION DOES NOT TURN EASILY, STICKS IN START OR ACCESSORY POSITION, ALSO, ACCESSORIES FAIL WHEN STUCK IN ACCESSORY POSITION. *DSH
NHTSA ODI #503734
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 1996
Fuel System, GasolineFire
THE CAR WAS PARKED AND A NEIGHBOR CALLED THE OWNER AND TOLD HIM HIS CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS IN FRONT BY THE STEERING. TT
NHTSA ODI #979136
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 1995
SuspensionCrashFireInjury
THE DRIVER SKID OFF THE ROAD AND BUMPED A TREE. THEN THE VAN WENT UP IN FLAMES. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH COULDRESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL RETROFIT RIT OF PLASTIC-COATED METAL CLAMPS, LOOM FOR POSITIVE BATTERY CABLES AND RE-ROUTE WIRING.
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
4
SQ99005 · Front Brake Fade
Opened Feb 10, 1999 · Closed Sep 21, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FRONT BRAKES CAN FADE
EA93014 · Alternator Belt Failure
Opened Jun 4, 1993 · Closed Jul 29, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
EA91044 · Loss Of Brake Effectivenes
Opened Oct 30, 1991 · Closed Oct 30, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
===
PE91077 · Loss Of Brake Effectivenes
Opened May 23, 1991 · Closed Oct 31, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
1988 Ford E350 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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