VehicleVerdict

1996 Ford E-350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 59 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.0 times the median E-350 year — the 1996 model ranks #11 of 53 E-350 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 20 reports (34% of the total).

59

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other E-350 years?

E-350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted96 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 5 complaints1984: 6 complaints1985: 3 complaints1986: 14 complaints1987: 15 complaints1988: 17 complaints1989: 38 complaints1990: 28 complaints1991: 22 complaints1992: 51 complaints1993: 53 complaints1994: 60 complaints1995: 93 complaints1996: 59 complaints1997: 96 complaints1998: 70 complaints1999: 77 complaints2000: 63 complaints2001: 59 complaints2002: 61 complaints2003: 59 complaints2004: 70 complaints2005: 80 complaints2006: 76 complaints2007: 23 complaints2008: 55 complaints2009: 12 complaints2010: 22 complaints2011: 20 complaints2012: 22 complaints2013: 32 complaints2014: 23 complaints2015: 10 complaints2016: 5 complaints2017: 15 complaints2018: 5 complaints2019: 4 complaints2020: 2 complaints2021: 30 complaints2022: 20 complaints2023: 2 complaints2024: 1 complaints2025: 1 complaints2026: 0 complaints2027: 0 complaints
E-350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all E-350 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 Ford E-350 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes2034%
Tires & Wheels1932%
Engine47%
Fuel System47%
Suspension35%
Transmission23%
Other23%
Speed Control12%
Body & Structure12%
Seat Belts12%
Lighting12%
Electrical System12%

Does the 1996 Ford E-350 have recalls?

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

09V399000Speed ControlOctober 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

08V051000Speed ControlFebruary 4, 2008 · 225,000 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.

Consequence

AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

06V286000Speed ControlAugust 1, 2006 · 1,200,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence

OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“UPON INSTALLING PERFORMANCE FRICTION BRAKE PADS ON VEHICLE, I FELT THEY WERE WRONG. I CALLED AUTO ZONE FROM WHOM I PURCHASED AFTER MEASURING AND FINDING THEY WERE 0.773 THICK. THEY ASSURED ME THEY WERE THE RIGHT PADS. I INSTALLED AND THOUGHT NOTHING MORE OF IT. UPON DRIVING VEHICLE AROUND A MONTH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 12, 2001 · fire

“CONSUMER HAS A 1996, FORD, 350 AND LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD CAME OFF WITHOUT WARNING. TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED. TREAD GOT CAUGHT AND WIPED OUT HEATER AND A/C LINE. CONSUMER WAS WAS TRAVELING 60MPH. DEALER REPLACED TIRE WITH A SPARE. AT THIS TIME VEHICLE HAD 21,000 MILES. *AK RIGHT REAR TIRE ALSO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 14, 1998

“THE INJECTOR MODULE FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO STOP WORKING. *JB THIS WAS THE SECOND FUEL INJECTOR DRIVER MODULE THAT FAILED DUE TO WATER IN THE MODULE. THE ENGINE STOPPED WITH OVT WARNING. SCC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 19, 2003

“WHILE DRIVING UP A STEEP HILL AND THEN DOWNSHIFTING BACK DOWN THE HILL, ENGINE QUIT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL, AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE, NEEDED TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE. BEEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. DEALER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 1, 1996

“WHILE DRIVING AT 45/55 MPH RIGHT FRONT TIRE WENT OUT OF ROUND, AND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE STARTED SHOWING SIGNS OF FATIGUE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED FRONT SHOCKS FAILED, AND THE HYDRAULIC FLUID SPILLED ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS RESULTED IN SEVERE FRONTAL VEHICLE DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension

1996 Ford E-350 — common questions

Is the 1996 Ford E-350 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 59 complaints put the 1996 model at #11 of 53 E-350 years. It is one of the E-350 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1996 E-350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (20 complaints), tires & wheels (19 complaints), engine (4 complaints).

Does the 1996 Ford E-350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 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 1996 Ford E-350 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.