1983 Ford E-350 Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 73,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 8campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1983 Ford E-350 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1983 Ford E-350. The part named most often is electrical system, with 1 complaints (20% of the total), followed by engine cooling (1) and fuel system (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 73,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the hoses/lines/piping/fittings and 3 NHTSA investigations filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system1 20%
- Engine cooling1 20%
- Fuel system1 20%
- Tires1 20%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “The contact owns a 1983 Ford E-350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was moved to the shoulder and was unable to be restarted. The contact also stated that the fuel pump failed to continuously supply the engine with fuel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included under NHTSA campaign id number: 82v124000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump). The vehicle was not repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10493746, filed 2013-01, 73,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 73,000 and 73,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 89V140000Aug 15, 1989Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater coreCovers: Ford E-350 1983–1986
Heater hose may be incorrectly routed.
- 88V133000Aug 9, 1988Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittingsCovers: Ford E-350 1983–1987, E-250 1983–1987
Extreme operating conditions could cause premature deterioration of the engine compartment heater hoses or engine bypass hoses.
- 87V144000Sep 9, 1987Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission controlCovers: Ford E-350 1983–1987, Econoline 1983–1987, Club Wagon 1983–1987 +1 more
Vehicles are subject to excessive underhood temperatures and fuel system pressures in severe duty applications.
- 87V113000Jul 21, 1987Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission controlCovers: Ford E-350 1983–1987, Econoline 1983–1987
Expulsion of fuel due to overpressurization.
- 85V061000May 14, 1985Fuel system, dieselCovers: Ford E-350 1983–1985, Econoline 1983–1985, E-250 1983–1985
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…
- 84V034000Mar 23, 1984Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › MountingCovers: Ford E-350 1980–1984
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…
See all 8 recalls for the 1983 Ford E-350 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE89102Heater hose routingClosed · Mar 15, 1989
- PE89044Heater hose misroutingClosed · Feb 17, 1989
- PE89045Underhood firesClosed · Feb 17, 1989
- PE89046Underhood firesClosed · Feb 17, 1989
- PE89047Underhood firesClosed · Feb 17, 1989
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1983 Ford E-350.
Other model years of the Ford E-350
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 14 | 11,000 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 22 | 12,234 | 6 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2017 | 13 | 20,556 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 5 | 4,000 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 7 | 20,978 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2014 | 17 | 16,500 | 11 | — | 13 | — | Rising |
| 2013 | 13 | 6,000 | 9 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 16 | 69,750 | 12 | — | 13 | — | Stable |
| 2011 | 19 | 76,000 | 18 | — | 13 | — | Falling |
| 2010 | 17 | 69,900 | 16 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2009 | 10 | 20,000 | 25 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 39 | 51,000 | 30 | — | — | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2007 | 18 | 51,051 | 35 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2006 | 53 | 73,000 | 38 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2005 | 55 | 67,294 | 16 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 46 | 50,000 | 10 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 46 | 85,509 | 7 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2002 | 53 | 80,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 52 | 89,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 59 | 99,783 | 8 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 72 | 87,000 | 9 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 63 | 113,614 | 8 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 79 | 70,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 50 | 38,934 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 69 | 80,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 51 | 137,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 43 | 85,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 41 | 45,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 19 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 23 | 89,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 26 | 64,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 11 | 72,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 14 | — | 8 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 11 | 60,000 | 11 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1983 | 5 | 73,000 | 8 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford E-350 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1983 Ford E-350 have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1983 Ford E-350 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1983 Ford E-350 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 1 complaints (20% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 1.
Has the 1983 Ford E-350 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1983 Ford E-350 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 73,000 miles and the middle half falls between 73,000 and 73,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.