U.S. public vehicle records

1987 Ford E350: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

14 owner complaints analyzed

8 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1987 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 14 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	2	14.3%
Fuel system concerns	1	7.1%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Structure

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System

Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control

Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly

Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly:Pressure Relief Devices

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Structure	4
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch	2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System	1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control	1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly	1
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly:Pressure Relief Devices	1

Structure: 4; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly:Pressure Relief Devices: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

No usable failure mileage is recorded. 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995

1996

1998

1999

2000

2005

1995: 4; 1996: 6; 1998: 1; 1999: 1; 2000: 1; 2005: 1

Pattern summary

Structure leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10130348 · 2005-07-27 (July 27, 2005)

LEAK FROM ON TOP OF FRONT FUEL TANK IN THE AREA OF THE VAPOR VALVE GROMMET. SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM AS REPORTED IN NHTSA 87V111000. IN RELATION TO NHTSA #87V144000 188,000 VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED. WERE ALL 1987 E350, CLUB WAGONS, WITH 7.5 LITER ENGINES INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL? FORD DEALERSHIP STATES MY VAN HAS NOT BEEN UNDER ANY RECALLS PAST OR PRESENT.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10130348 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 482868 · 1995-04-07 (April 7, 1995)

EMISSION CANISTERS LOCATED OUTSIDE FRAME RAIL CAN BECOME SATURATED AND LEAK FUEL AND DRIP FUEL COULD CONTRACT EXHAUST PIPE, RESULTING IN FIRE. *SKD

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482868 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 489466 · 1995-04-07 (April 7, 1995)

AFTERMARKET OEM TANKS WHEN FULL OF FUEL PRESSURIZE TO A POINT THAT FUEL - NOT VAPORS - WILL BE RELEASED OUT THROUGH GAS CAP. *SKD

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489466 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 503019 · 1996-04-01 (April 1, 1996)

HAND RAIL FAILED ON BUS NUMBER 124. (FIRST VEHICLE ON 503019) *DSH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503019 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 504522 · 1996-05-06 (May 6, 1996)

IGNITION SWITCH FIRE. *SD

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504522 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 536795 · 1998-06-17 (June 17, 1998)

ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT).

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 536795 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 557972 · 2000-12-07 (December 7, 2000)

WHILE DRIVING, A TIRE (NO MAKE/MODEL PROVIDED) EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LEFT REAR FENDER. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *SLC

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 557972 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 601357 · 1996-04-01 (April 1, 1996)

HAND RAIL FAILED ON BUS NUMBER 125. (SECOND VEHICLE ON 503019) *DSH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 601357 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

87V111000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting

Reported: 1987-07-16 (July 16, 1987)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

87V113000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control

Reported: 1987-07-21 (July 21, 1987)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

87V144000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control

Reported: 1987-09-09 (September 9, 1987)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

88V133000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings

Reported: 1988-08-09 (August 9, 1988)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

89V062000 · Electrical System:Wiring

Reported: 1989-04-17 (April 17, 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.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

89V075000 · Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core

Reported: 1989-05-09 (May 9, 1989)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

89V139000 · Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core

Reported: 1989-08-15 (August 15, 1989)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

89V150000 · Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core

Reported: 1989-10-01 (October 1, 1989)

HEATER HOSE MAY BE INCORRECTLY ROUTED.

Consequence: HOSE COULD WEAR THROUGH AND LEAK WHICH COULD RESULT INAN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: REROUTE HOSE AS NECESSARY.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

14 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

0.0%Usable mileage0 / 14 records

100.0%Valid incident date14 / 14 records

100.0%Valid filing date14 / 14 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates14 / 14 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1999	2000	2002	2003	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013
Structure	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Tires:Tread/Belt	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2012: 0 complaints · 2013: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2012	0	0	0
2013	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2012	0	0	0
2013	0	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Structure	Electrical System:Ignition:Switch	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System	Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control	Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly	Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly:Pressure Relief Devices
Structure	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	1 ODI 10130348 LEAK FROM ON TOP OF FRONT FUEL TANK IN THE AREA OF THE VAPOR VALVE GROMMET. SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM AS REPORTED IN NHTSA 87V111000. IN RELATION TO NHTSA #87V144000 188,000 VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED. WERE ALL 1987 E350, CLUB WAGONS, WITH 7.5 LITER ENGINES INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL? FORD DEALERSHIP STATES MY VAN HAS NOT BEEN UNDER ANY RECALLS PAST OR PRESENT. Look up ODI 10130348 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly:Pressure Relief Devices	0	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10130348 LEAK FROM ON TOP OF FRONT FUEL TANK IN THE AREA OF THE VAPOR VALVE GROMMET. SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM AS REPORTED IN NHTSA 87V111000. IN RELATION TO NHTSA #87V144000 188,000 VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED. WERE ALL 1987 E350, CLUB WAGONS, WITH 7.5 LITER ENGINES INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL? FORD DEALERSHIP STATES MY VAN HAS NOT BEEN UNDER ANY RECALLS PAST OR PRESENT. Look up ODI 10130348 at NHTSA ↗	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.