The 1990 Ford E-350 has 2 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (17 complaints).
NHTSA recall 91V146000 · Sep 4, 1991 · 350,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE MAY MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN OVERFILL CONDITION IN ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS, RESULTING IN AN OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP.
Risk: THE OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP CAUSES A FUELLEAKAGE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Fix: REPLACE THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
NHTSA recall 90V101000 · Jun 1, 1990 · 111,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
Risk: WHEN THE GEAR IS PLACED IN PARK, THE PARK GEAR WOULD NOTENGAGE, ALLOWING THE TRUCK TO ROLL FREELY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT PROPERLYSET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: INSTALL IMPROVED SNAP RING AND REVISED TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
17
0
0
0
—
Structure
3
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline Delivery › Fuel pump
2
0
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor; Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
2
0
0
0
—
Tires Tread/belt
2
0
0
0
—
Seat belts Front › Buckle assembly
1
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Wiring › Front underhood
1
0
1
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jan 2, 2009 · 89,000 milesFuel system, gasoline FUEL FROM REAR TANK OVERFLOWED TO FRONT TANK WHICH LEAKED OUT EXCESS FUEL. OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE REPAIRS. DID A SEARCH FOR THE ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A SECRET OPEN WARRANTY COVERING THE ISSUE, CALLED FORD AND GOT 'PERMISSION' TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS WORSE ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT FRANK JACKSON IN SANDY SPRINGS GA. SO I HAD TO WAIT A COUPLE MORE DAYS TO GET THE NEW ONE. IT SEEMS FINE NOW. BUT HOW MANY MORE OF THE SENSORS OR WHATEVER IT'S CALLED ARE BAD THAT THEY HAVE IN STOCK TO REPLACE EXISTING FAULTY ONES? *TR
Jun 15, 2001Service brakes, hydraulic THE FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPERS DO NOT RETRACT AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES, FRICTION FROM THE BRAKE PADS CAUSES THE BRAKE FLUID TO BOIL EFFECTIVELY RESULTING IN NO BRAKE OPERATION, THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS LEFT SITTING FOR ABOUT A MONTH, RUST DEVELOPS ON THE SLIDER BARS WHICH PREVENTS THE CALIPERS FROM RETRACTING TO THE RESET POSITION. NLM
Dec 1, 1995Tires › Tread/belt TWO OF THE FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL R4S LT 215/85R16 MS TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, FIRST TIME TIRE WRAPPED AND DAMAGED ADJOINING TIRE ON LEFT REAR DUAL, SECOND TIRE UNWRAPPED AND BROKE OUT BOTTOM OF THE HOLDING TANK, CONSUMER INSTALLED ARMOR PLAT TO PROTECT NEW TANK. *MJS
Aug 6, 1997Tires › Tread/belt FIRESTONE, STEEL TEX R4S, LT235/85R16 SIZE . TREAD ON THREE OF THE TIRES SEPARATED ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT ON ONE OCCASION, HE ALMOST HIT HEAD ON WITH A TRACTOR TRAILOR. *SLC
Aug 10, 1999Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip CONSUMER WAS COMING DOWN A HILL IN IN DRY WEATHER CONDITION WHEN PROCEEDING TO STOP AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES .CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GRADUALLY STOP VEHICLE BEFORE A CRASH. *AK
Oct 1, 1998Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe GASKET O-RING FAILURE RESULTING IN LEAK WHICH CAUSED FUEL FILTER TO BECOME OBSTRUCTED AND GASOLINE TO LEAK VEHICLE.
May 22, 1997Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH.
Apr 20, 1997Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads DISC BRAKES OVERHEAT, BRAKE FLUID BOILS OUT; PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH; CALIPERS STICK; GARAGE BLED BRAKES, REPLACED ROTORS/CALIPERS. *AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
SQ99005 · opened Feb 10, 1999 · closed Sep 21, 2001FRONT BRAKE FADE FRONT BRAKES CAN FADE
EA93014 · opened Jun 4, 1993 · closed Jul 29, 1994ALTERNATOR BELT FAILURE There is no summary currently available
EA91044 · opened Oct 30, 1991 · closed Oct 30, 1992 · led to recall 92V026000LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES ===
EA91031 · opened Jun 26, 1991 · closed Nov 1, 1991 · led to recall 91V146000FUEL EXPULSION There is no summary currently available
PE91077 · opened May 23, 1991 · closed Oct 31, 1991LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES There is no summary currently available
PE91064 · opened Apr 9, 1991 · closed Jul 5, 1991TRANSMISSION FLUID FIRES There is no summary currently available
PE90056 · opened Mar 12, 1990 · closed Jun 12, 1990 · led to recall 90V101000TRNSMSSION PARK GEAR FAIL There is no summary currently available