Defect
HEATER HOSE MAY BE INCORRECTLY ROUTED.
Consequence
HOSE COULD WEAR THROUGH AND LEAK WHICH COULD RESULT INAN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy
REROUTE AND REPAIR HOSE AS NECESSARY.
1986 Ford E-350 problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 14 complaints on file for the 1986 Ford E-350 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 11 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
14
NHTSA complaints
11
Recalls
57
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
7
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1986 compare to other E-350 years?
What are the most common 1986 Ford E-350 problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 | 43% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 3 | 21% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 2 | 14% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 1 | 7% | new |
| Fuel System | 1 | 7% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 7% | — flat |
Does the 1986 Ford E-350 have recalls?
11 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
HEATER HOSE MAY BE INCORRECTLY ROUTED.
Consequence
HOSE COULD WEAR THROUGH AND LEAK WHICH COULD RESULT INAN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy
REROUTE AND REPAIR HOSE, AS NECESSARY.
Defect
HEATER HOSE MAY BE INCORRECTLY ROUTED.
Consequence
HOSE COULD WEAR THROUGH AND LEAK WHICH COULD RESULT INAN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy
REROUTE AND SPLICE HOSE AS NECESSARY.
Defect
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
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.
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.
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.
Defect
EXPULSION OF FUEL DUE TO OVERPRESSURIZATION.
Consequence
FUEL OR FUEL VAPORS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITIONSOURCE CAN CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy
MODIFICATION OF THE BASE FUEL VENTING AND EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM TO REDUCE OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES.
Defect
FUEL LEAK AT THE TOP OF THE FRONT FUEL TANK IN THE AREA OF THE VAPOR VALVE GROMMET. GROMMET MAY SPLIT DUE TO COMPRESSIVE LOAD WHEN INSTALLED IN THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence
FUEL MAY LEAK FROM VAPOR VALVE AND BECOME THE SOURCE OFFUEL FOR A FIRE.
Remedy
INSTALLATION OF A NEWLY DESIGNED VAPOR VALVE GROMMET.
Defect
DEFORMED BRAKE ROD COVERS MAY INTERFERE WITH RETURN OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL FROM OPEN THROTTLE POSITION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: ENGINE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
MODIFY BRAKE ROD COVER TO ALLOW ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO RETURN FROM OPEN THROTTLE POSITION.
Defect
THE RUBBER THAT ENCASES BALL STUD AND SOCKET JOINT (CONNECTS STEERING DRAG LINK AND PITMAN ARM) MAY DETERIORATE, CAUSING METAL TO METAL CONTACT, AND MAY EVENTUALLY RESULT IN COMPLETE SEPARATION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE DRAG LINK TO PITMAN ARM CONNECTION RESULTS IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
INSTALL NEW DRAG LINK ASSEMBLIES WITH STEEL BALL AND SOCKET JOINTS AT THE PITMAN ARM CONNECTIONS.
Defect
COMPOSITE GRAPHITE DRIVESHAFTS ARE SUBJECT TO OVERHEATING WHILE IDLING, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE DRIVESHAFT TWISTING AND SHORTENING CAUSING THE SLIP YOKE TO DISCONNECT FROM THE TRANSMISSION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE DRIVESHAFT DISCONNECTS FROM THE TRANSMISSION THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME IMMOBILE WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy
INSTALL METAL DRIVESHAFT.
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“ABOUT 3:15 P.M. ON MONDAY, 8 MARCH 1999 I EXITED THE OHIO TURNPIKE AT THE BLUE HERON SERVICE AREA, PARKED MY 1986 FORD E-350 VAN BEFORE THE TRAVELERS SERVICES BUILDING, PUT THE IGNITION KEY INTO MY POCKET, AND WENT INTO THE RESTROOM. WHEN I RETURNED TO M”
“1986 FORD E350, A FIRE STARTED ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE EXHAUST WAS BENT UPWARD TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE MOTOR HOME, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0332-89) *JB”
“CONSUMER STATES THAT HE HAS REPLACED THE REAR GAS SENDER IN THE REAR GAS TANK, REPLACED (4) TIMES IN A (10) YEAR PERIOD. TIME TO BE REPLACED ONCE AGAIN.*AK”
“THIS IS THE EXACT FAILURE I HAVE SEEN ON RECALLED TIRES. TREAD HAS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CASING FOR APPROX 1/3 OF THE TIRE CIRCUMFRENCE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THESE TIRES, ALTHOUGH OLD, HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PREFECTLY MAINTAINED AND GARAGE KEPT. THE Y SHOW NO SIGNS OF COLLATERAL DAMAGE SUCH AS HEAT OF SUN…”
1986 Ford E-350 — common questions
Is the 1986 Ford E-350 reliable?
The record is thin — 14 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 11 recalls should be verified as completed.
What are the most common 1986 E-350 problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (6 complaints), engine (3 complaints), transmission (2 complaints).
Does the 1986 Ford E-350 have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Ford E-350. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Is the 1986 Ford E-350 under NHTSA investigation?
NHTSA opened 57 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Which Ford E-350 years should you avoid?
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-350 years to avoid are 1997, 1995, 2005, 1999, 2006, 1998, 2004, 2000, 2002, 1994, 1996, 2003, 2001, 2008, 1993, 1992, 1989, 2013, 2021. The cleanest record among E-350 years belongs to 2027.
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.