1988 Ford E-350 Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 72,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Ford E-350 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1988 Ford E-350. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and fuel system (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 72,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation 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 system3 27%
- Brakes2 18%
- Fuel system2 18%
- Suspension2 18%
- Engine cooling1 9.1%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “I purchased this 28' shasta class c motorhome from a private party. All receipts from work history were included. Upon the first time out, towing my 1200 lb boat to lake mead ( no significant hills as I live in las vegas ), the motorhome ran beautiful, even up to the point of parking. I came out two days later to start it when I noticed the battery as drained. Upon looking under the hood, I noticed it had caught on fire, burning 2 injectors and other wiring located in the same vicinity. I replaced injectors, relays, fuel pump, all hoses, coil, etc... …”
NHTSA complaint #10689757, filed 2015-02, 72,000 milesBrakes: “Upon applying force to the brake pedal the pedal goes to the floor, causing extended stopping distance and brakes fading away. After pumping the brakes, the consumer noticed the brakes were functioning.”
NHTSA complaint #809470, filed 1997-03Suspension: “The contact owns a 1988 Ford e350. The front end of the vehicle shimmied while driving at various speeds. The failure usually occurs when driving over bumps. He took the vehicle to the dealer on numerous occasions and various repairs were made to the steering components. None of the repairs have successfully remedied the failure. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 88v015000 (suspension). The contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 110,000 and current mileage was 135,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10238138, filed 2008-08, 110,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
33% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 31,545 and 110,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 89V062000Apr 17, 1989Electrical system › WiringCovers: Ford E-350 1984–1989
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.
Recall details for the 1988 Ford E-350 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- SQ99005Front brake fadeClosed · Feb 10, 1999
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 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 1988 Ford E-350 have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1988 Ford E-350 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Ford E-350 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.
Has the 1988 Ford E-350 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Ford E-350 reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 72,000 miles and the middle half falls between 31,545 and 110,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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.