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 E350 Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1986 Ford E350 has 11 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 295,807 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
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…
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…
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…
Remedy
INSTALL METAL DRIVESHAFT.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
2fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
2fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
1fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM
Total complaints13
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“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”
“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…”
“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”
“Description and comments see e-mail which im sending as best I know how -- sorry for clutsyness. Rjd”
“Engine fire, owner stated that earlier in the day alternator work was done, due to problems. (ohio traffic crash report). Mjs”
“Engine fire, owner stated that earlier in the day alternator work was done, due to problems. (ohio traffic crash report). Mjs”
“Ignition switch failed 3 times, third occurrence fire. *sd”
“Installed rear brake shoes.”
Defect investigations
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 EA87019 Opened 1987-04-30 · closed 1987-10-23
FUEL EXPULSION
SYNOPSIS: UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, FUEL IS EXPELLED FROM THEFUEL FILLER PIPE, WHEN THE FILLER CAP IS REMOVED. IT HAS BEEN REPORTEDTHAT VEHICLE FIRES AND PERSONAL INJURIES HAVE RESULTED. THE PROBLEMAPPEARS TO BE ONE OF EXCESSIVE HEAT COLLECTING UNDER THE VEHICLES, USUALLYWHILE STATIONARY WITH THE ENGINES…
Investigation PE86058 Opened 1986-06-16 · closed 1986-11-04
FUEL SPURTING/FIRES
ANALYSIS:EACH OF THE COMPLAINANTS STATED THET THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OFFIRES IN THESE AMBULANCE VEHICLES BUT ONLY RECENTLY HAVE DISCERNED AREPETITIVE PATTERN.THEY ARE ASSEMBLING DATA FROM EACH OF THE INDEPENDENTRESCUE SQUADS AND HAVE AGREED TO PROMPTLY FORWARD THE INFORMATION TO THISAGENCY.THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM,…
Investigation PE87017 Opened 1987-01-28 · closed 1987-05-26
FUEL LEAKS/FIRES
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:INSTANCES WERE FOUND WHERESPRING LOCK COUPLINGS FAILED CAUSING GASOLINE TO BE RELEASED THROUGHOUTTHE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSING FIRES.LEAKS FROM FUEL LINES MAY ALSO BE ACONTRIBUTING CAUSE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT…
Investigation PE89034 Opened 1989-01-17 · closed 1989-07-28
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
===
Investigation PE94065 Opened 1994-08-19 · closed 1994-12-28
FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILS
There is no summary currently available
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 1986 Ford E350 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.