IllustrationWHILE CLIMBING HILLS ON VERY WARM DAYS, THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED STALLING, ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TFI IGNITION MODULE AND DISTRIBUTOR. *SLC
1989 Ford E350
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →25Owner complaints
Model-year median: 0
3Recall campaignsView recall details →
6InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
1989 Ford E350
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 25 owner complaints · 3 recall campaigns · 6 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 11 reports
- Structure: 5 reports
- Engine And Engine Cooling: 4 reports
- Fuel System, Gasoline: 2 reports
- Electrical System: 1 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
- 91V146000 — Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank:selector Devices
- 90V101000 — Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
- 89V062000 — Electrical System:wiring
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all E350 years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure 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: 1 of 25 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 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 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 reports0 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
4 reportsCATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED.
CATALYTIC CONVERTER PLUGGED UP,CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *SD
EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. TT
Recall campaigns
391V146000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank:selector Devices
Sep 4, 1991
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP CAUSES A FUELLEAKAGE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE.
90V101000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Jun 1, 1990
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: INSTALL IMPROVED SNAP RING AND REVISED TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING.
89V062000 · Electrical System:wiring
Apr 17, 1989
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 ↗
Defect investigations
6SQ99005 · 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
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EA91031 · Fuel Expulsion
Opened Jun 26, 1991 · Closed Nov 1, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
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
PE90056 · Trnsmssion Park Gear Fail
Opened Mar 12, 1990 · Closed Jun 12, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
There is no summary currently available
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.