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.
1983 Ford E350 Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1983 Ford E350 has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 309,810 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
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
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…
Remedy
INSTALL A CANISTER SHIELD, A REVISED DESIGN DRAIN ROD SHIELD, AND MODIFY FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR MOUNTING BRACKET.
Defect
ATTACHING BOLTS ON FUEL TANK SUPPORTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED; ALSO, THE SUPPORTS ARE TOO THIN. HIGH LEVELS OF STRESS, WHICH COULD OCCUR UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS, COULD CAUSE CRACKS TO DEVELOP IN THE SUPPORT STRAPS. IF THE FUEL TANK SUPPORTS FRACTURE, THE FUEL TANK WILL SLIP FROM THE NORMAL…
Remedy
FUEL TANK SUPPORTS AND FASTENERS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
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.
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1fires
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TIRES
Total complaints4
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“4 of 6 tires bought in 04 thread separating. No accident. Motor just started shaking at freeway speeds. *tr”
“While the vehicle was on and in the park position, on its own the vehicle jumped out of gear from park into reverse. *ak consumer states this is not his vehicle or his complaint.*jb”
“Engine compartment fire.”
“While parked for two days, noticed smoke and fire coming from dash area, possible electrical. *ak”
Defect investigations
Investigation C85010 Opened 1985-09-30 · closed 1988-08-02
DUAL REAR WHEEL RETENTION
There is no summary currently available
Investigation C87003 Opened 1987-04-29 · closed 1987-09-01
FILLER NECK SPURT
There is no summary currently available
Investigation DP87024 Opened 1987-07-17 · closed 1987-08-07
FORD E-350 EMS VEHICLE FIRES
FORD E-350 EMS VEHICLE FIRES
Investigation DP87025 Opened 1987-07-17 · closed 1987-08-18
FORD E350 EMS VEH. FIRES
FORD E350 EMS VEH. FIRES
Investigation DP88016 Opened 1988-05-12 · closed 1988-11-16
FIRES-COOLANT HOSE FAILURE
FIRES-COOLANT HOSE FAILURE
Investigation EA87002 Opened 1986-11-04 · closed 1987-04-29
FILLER NECK SPURT
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:FORD HAS SUPPLIED INFORMATION REQUESTED CONCERNING VEHICLE POPULATIONAND THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.ANALYSIS:THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE ONE OF EXCESSIVE HEAT COLLECTING UNDER THEVEHICLES, USUALLY WHILE STATIONARY WITH THE ENGINE IDLING.THIS HEATCAUSES THE FUEL TO VAPORIZE IN THE…
Investigation PE89038 Opened 1989-02-09 · closed 1989-08-29
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89043 Opened 1989-02-15 · closed 1989-08-02
HEATER HOSE MISROUTING
===
Investigation PE89044 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-04-19
HEATER HOSE MISROUTING
SUMMARY:CHAMPION HAS FURNISHED HEATER HOSE ROUTING DIAGRAMS WHICHCLEARLY SHOW THAT THE ONLY HEATER HOSE ROUTING EVER USED BY CHAMPIONROUTES THE HOSES FROM THE HEATER, ACROSS THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEAR THERADIATOR, AND DOWN TO THE DRIVERS SIDE FRAME RAIL THE SIDE MOST REMOTEFROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, AND REARWARD ALONG…
Investigation PE89045 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-08-29
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89046 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-05-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89047 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-03-15
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89048 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-07-21
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89049 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-06-15
UNDERHOOD FIRES
SUMMARY:AMERICAN MODULAR BODY WENT BANKRUPT AND THE ASSETS WERELIQUIDATED AT AUCTION.ACCORDING TO INDUSTRY SOURCES, NO ONE BOUGHTTHE BUSINESS, OR ASSUMED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR WARRANTY ON THE UNITSTHEY SOLD.===
Investigation PE89050 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-07-19
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89051 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-03-15
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89052 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-07-19
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89053 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-03-15
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89054 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-05-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89055 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-03-15
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89056 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-05-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89057 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-06-15
UNDERHOOD FIRES
SUMMARY:LEADER INDUSTRIES HAS REPORTED THAT THEY DO NOT NOW, OR HAVETHEY EVER ATTACHED ANYTHING TO THE TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK TUBE.===
Investigation PE89058 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-05-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89059 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-05-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89060 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-07-19
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89061 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-07-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
SUMMARY:MEDTEC HAS NOT ATTACHED ANY HOSES OR WIRING TO TRANSMISSIONFILL TUBES.===
Investigation PE89062 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-05-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89063 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-05-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89064 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-07-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
SUMMARY:RINGDAHL HAS NOT ATTACHED HOSES OR WIRES TO THE DIPSTICKFILLER TUBE.===
Investigation PE89066 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-05-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89067 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-08-03
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89068 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-05-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89069 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-07-19
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89070 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-08-29
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89071 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-08-29
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89072 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-03-15
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89073 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-09-27
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89073 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-09-27
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89074 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-07-03
UNDERHOOD FIRES
SUMMARY:TRI STAR WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND STATED THAT THEY DO NOTSELL ANY UNITS IN THE U.S.THEY ALSO REPORTED THAT THEY DO NOT ATTACHANYTHING TO THE TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK TUBE.===
Investigation PE89075 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-05-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89076 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-05-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89077 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-05-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89078 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-09-27
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89079 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-09-28
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89080 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-05-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89081 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-05-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89082 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-05-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89083 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-05-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89084 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-05-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89085 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-05-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89086 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-05-05
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89087 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-03-15
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89088 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-07-19
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89089 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-08-01
UNDERHOOD FIRES
===
Investigation PE89102 Opened 1989-03-15 · closed 1989-08-01
HEATER HOSE ROUTING
===
Sources & methodology
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1983 Ford E350 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.