VehicleVerdict

1983 Ford E-250 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1983 Ford E-250 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1983 compare to other E-250 years?

E-250 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1983 highlighted56 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 1 complaints1980: 1 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 4 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 2 complaints1989: 7 complaints1990: 4 complaints1991: 11 complaints1992: 30 complaints1993: 7 complaints1994: 14 complaints1995: 19 complaints1996: 24 complaints1997: 31 complaints1998: 30 complaints1999: 56 complaints2000: 21 complaints2001: 18 complaints2002: 18 complaints2003: 22 complaints2004: 14 complaints2005: 12 complaints2006: 16 complaints2007: 7 complaints2008: 10 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 12 complaints2011: 9 complaints2012: 13 complaints2013: 13 complaints2014: 7 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 2 complaints2017: 3 complaints2022: 1 complaints2023: 0 complaints
E-250 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1983 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all E-250 years to avoid →

Does the 1983 Ford E-250 have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E064000Fuel SystemAugust 27, 2007 · 34,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

Consequence

A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

88V133000EngineAugust 9, 1988 · 14,975 units

Defect

EXTREME OPERATING CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEATER HOSES OR ENGINE BYPASS HOSES.

Consequence

ENGINE COOLANT COULD DISCHARGE ONTO THE ENGINE AND ITSEXHAUST MANIFOLD CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE DUE TO THE HIGH ENGINEEXHAUST MANIFOLD TEMPERATURES.

Remedy

REPLACE HOSES AND RADIATOR CAPS; INSTALL HIGH HEAT RESISTANCE ALUMINIZED STAINLESS STEEL MUFFLERS.

87V144000EngineSeptember 9, 1987 · 188,000 units

Defect

VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO EXCESSIVE UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES IN SEVERE DUTY APPLICATIONS.

Consequence

THIS CREATES POTENTIAL FOR FUEL EXPULSION FROM THE FUELFILLER PIPE WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN AFIRE.

Remedy

INSTALL MODIFICATION KITS TO MINIMIZE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL EXPULSION AND TO SHIELD UNDERBODY COMPONENTS FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT.

85V061000Fuel SystemMay 14, 1985 · 8,500 units

Defect

WHEN FRONTALLY IMPACTED INTO A FIXED BARRIER AT 30 MPH, AS SPECIFIED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 301, THE LEFT FRAME RAILS OF SUCH VEHICLES MAY DISPLACE INBOARD, PINCHING THE FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR CANISTER BETWEEN THE FRAME RAIL AND ENGINE SUFFICIENTLY TO DISPLACE THE FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR DRAIN ROD, ALLOWING THE CONTENTS OF THE CANISTER TO DRAIN. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL LEAK DURING OR AFTER A CRASH INCREASES THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE.

Remedy

INSTALL A CANISTER SHIELD, A REVISED DESIGN DRAIN ROD SHIELD, AND MODIFY FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR MOUNTING BRACKET.

82V124000Fuel SystemDecember 13, 1982 · 650 units

Defect

SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE A DIODE IN THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP CIRCUIT THAT MAY SHORT DURING ENGINE STARTING DUE TO INADEQUATE CAPACITY TO WITHSTAND CURRENT DRAW. A SHORT CIRCUIT WOULD RESULT IN NORMAL ENGINE STARTING, BUT THE PUMP WILL NOT CONTINUE TO SUPPLY THE ENGINE WITH FUEL.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE ELEMENT IN THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP CIRCUIT WITH A NEW RELAY FEED WIRING ASSEMBLY WHICH CONTAINS A LARGER CAPACITY DIODE, FREE OF CHARGE.

82V104000TransmissionOctober 26, 1982 · 74,985 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE LOCK WEDGES USED TO SECURE THE AXLE BEARING NUTS TO THE AXLE HOUSING MAY FALL OUT OF POSITION, ALLOWING THE NUT TO LOOSEN. THE NUT ON THE LEFT SIDE MAY FALL OFF, ALLOWING MOVEMENT OF THE AXLE SHAFT.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE LOCK WEDGES WITH AN IMPROVED VERSION. WHEEL BEARINGS WILL BE INSPECTED AND ADJUSTED OR REPLACED, IF NECESSARY.

1983 Ford E-250 — common questions

Is the 1983 Ford E-250 reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1983 Ford E-250 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1983 Ford E-250. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1983 Ford E-250 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford E-250 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-250 years to avoid are 1999, 1997, 1998, 1992. The cleanest record among E-250 years belongs to 2023.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.