Defect
HEATER HOSE MAY BE INCORRECTLY ROUTED.
Consequence
HOSE COULD WEAR THROUGH AND LEAK WHICH COULD RESULT INAN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy
REROUTE HOSE AS NECESSARY.
1987 Ford E-350 problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 15 complaints on file for the 1987 Ford E-350 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 8 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
15
NHTSA complaints
8
Recalls
53
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1987 compare to other E-350 years?
What are the most common 1987 Ford E-350 problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body & Structure | 4 | 27% | new |
| Brakes | 3 | 20% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 3 | 20% | — flat |
| Electrical System | 2 | 13% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 2 | 13% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 7% | — flat |
Does the 1987 Ford E-350 have recalls?
8 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.
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK”
“EMISSION CANISTERS LOCATED OUTSIDE FRAME RAIL CAN BECOME SATURATED AND LEAK FUEL AND DRIP FUEL COULD CONTRACT EXHAUST PIPE, RESULTING IN FIRE. *SKD”
“THE TRUCK WAS PARKED AND TRIED TO START ITSELF WITHOUT THE KEY AND THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE IGNITON SWITCH. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK”
“LEAK FROM ON TOP OF FRONT FUEL TANK IN THE AREA OF THE VAPOR VALVE GROMMET. SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM AS REPORTED IN NHTSA 87V111000. IN RELATION TO NHTSA #87V144000 188,000 VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED. WERE ALL 1987 E350, CLUB WAGONS, WITH 7.5 LITER ENGINES INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL? FORD DEALERSHIP…”
1987 Ford E-350 — common questions
Is the 1987 Ford E-350 reliable?
The record is thin — 15 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 8 recalls should be verified as completed.
What are the most common 1987 E-350 problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (4 complaints), engine (3 complaints), brakes (3 complaints).
Does the 1987 Ford E-350 have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 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 1987 Ford E-350 under NHTSA investigation?
NHTSA opened 53 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.