FORD E-350 · model year

1993 FORD E-350

53 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1993FORDE-350 carries 53 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 8 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1993 E-350 is vehicle speed control with 5 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys (4) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1993 E-350, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

53
Complaints
3
Crashes
8
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

53 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS3
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS3
TIRES3
TIRES:TREAD/BELT3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY2
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER1
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR1
STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD1

Recent Complaints

20110215STEERING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY LESS THAN 60 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD FISH TAIL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWAY LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT IF EVERYTHING THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN WERE REPAIRED IT MAY REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. UPDATED 7/18/14*CN *TR

Mileage: 85,000

20110215SUSPENSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY LESS THAN 60 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD FISH TAIL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWAY LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT IF EVERYTHING THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN WERE REPAIRED IT MAY REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. UPDATED 7/18/14*CN *TR

Mileage: 85,000

20090307FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

GOT IN MY VAN STARTED DOWN STREET AND SMELT SMOKE WENT AROUND BLOCK INSIDE OF VAN FULL OF SMOKE STOPPED VAN AND SHUT IT OFF GOT OUT OF IT AND CALLED FOR FIRE DEPT AND NEIGHBOR CALLED TO BY TIME FIRE DEPT CAME MY VAN WAS FULLY ON FIRE MELTED SIDING ON HOUSE I WAS NEXT TOO..SMOKE AGGRAVATED MY ASHTMA AND HAD TO DO MY NEBULIZER............NOW I HAD A RECALL AND SUPPOSABLY IT WAS CORRECTED BUT MY VAN STILL CAUGHT FIRE...I DON'T HAVE FIRE COVERAGE WHAT IS MY NEXT THING I CAN DO TO GET COMPENSATION....IF MY RECALL WAS FIXED WHY DID IT STILL CATCH FIRE....HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH VAN BEFORE ALL HAPPENED...ONLY WORK DONE ON IT WAS FOR THE RECALL... *TR

Mileage: 130,000

20080228FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

RECEIVED RECALL 1993 E-350 ECONOLINE 08S01 MADE APPOINTMENT EVERY FORD FAYETTE, AL. LEFT IT OVER NIGHT TO BE WORKED ON THE NEXT DAY. CALLED 4:30PM BEFORE CLOSING TO SEE IF IT WAS DONE. TOLD THEY WOULD CALL ME BACK IT WAS NEXT THEN THEY CALLED AND SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE A PART & DIDN'T KNOW WHEN ONE WOULD BE AVAILABLE. WE WASTED 8 GALLONS OF GAS AND THE RECALL PART IS STILL NOT BEEN REPLACED. THEY CLAIM NO ONE HAS THE PART FOR THE ECONOLINE. I CALLED THE 1-800 NUMBER IN THE LETTER BUT IT IS ONLY A VOICE MAIL BOX AND IT DIRECTS TO MAKE THE CALL OVER AGAIN. *TR

20080228EQUIPMENT

RECEIVED RECALL 1993 E-350 ECONOLINE 08S01 MADE APPOINTMENT EVERY FORD FAYETTE, AL. LEFT IT OVER NIGHT TO BE WORKED ON THE NEXT DAY. CALLED 4:30PM BEFORE CLOSING TO SEE IF IT WAS DONE. TOLD THEY WOULD CALL ME BACK IT WAS NEXT THEN THEY CALLED AND SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE A PART & DIDN'T KNOW WHEN ONE WOULD BE AVAILABLE. WE WASTED 8 GALLONS OF GAS AND THE RECALL PART IS STILL NOT BEEN REPLACED. THEY CLAIM NO ONE HAS THE PART FOR THE ECONOLINE. I CALLED THE 1-800 NUMBER IN THE LETTER BUT IT IS ONLY A VOICE MAIL BOX AND IT DIRECTS TO MAKE THE CALL OVER AGAIN. *TR

20080201VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD E350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND FORD RECALL NUMBER 05S28 IN AUGUST OF 2007. HE CALLED FORD SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN MID'DECEMBER OF 2007 AND THEN IN JANUARY OF 2008. THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 184,000.

20071115CrashTIRES

1993 FORD E-350 TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE LOST CONTROL HE DROVE OFF THE ROADWAY AND HIT THE MEDIAN WALL. *KB (OHIO CRASH TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB

20070831VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD E350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE NOTICE ADVISED HIM TO CALL 1-800-444-3311 FOR A LIST OF LOCAL DEALERS. WHEN HE CALLED, THE PHONE RANG TWICE AND GAVE A BUSY SIGNAL. WHEN HE CALLED 1-800-392-3673, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST WITH MOTORHOMES. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT OR FIND A DEALER. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

20060720FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

I WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH WHEN I BEGAN DECELERATING AND REALIZED ENGINE HAD SHUT OFF. I COASTED TO A STOP. I WAS GETTING TOOLS TO CHECK RELAYS WHEN I NOTICED FIRE AT REAR WHEEL, DRIVER SIDE, AT GAS TANK. CALLED CLOSEST FIRE DEPARTMENT. 6/9/06. PARKING BRAKE LINE ON FIRE WITH ABS LINE. HAD WIRING REPAIRED. JULY 16,2006 BRAKES FELT LIKE THEY WERE LOCKING, REAR WAS SMOKING AGAIN, LOOKED LIKE FIRE AT GAS TANK. JULY 17 HAD MECHANIC CHECK ALL BRAKES WHICH WERE EXCELLENT EXCEPT PARKING BRAKE LINE BENT, BUT RELEASED. JULY 19, BRAKES LOCKING UP A LITTLE. JULY 20, COULDN'T DRIVE WITHOUT REVERSE/FORWARD AND STILL DIDN'T WANT TO GO. I SELL ICE CREAM TO LITTLE CHILDREN WHILE MY VAN IS RUNNING. PARKING BRAKES WORK BUT WON'T RELEASE FULLY. APPEARED TO BE VINYL LINING AT FLOOR LEVEL INTERFERING, BUT MAY HAVE BEEN WIRING. HAD A SECOND FIRE ON GROUND BATTERY TERMINAL AND INSIDE HOOD ON JUNE 16,2006 CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. DON'T KNOW CAUSE. REPLACED BURNED WIRING ONLY. ALL ELSE WORKED. ALSO, IT APPEARS

Mileage: 244,000

20060720FirePARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE

I WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH WHEN I BEGAN DECELERATING AND REALIZED ENGINE HAD SHUT OFF. I COASTED TO A STOP. I WAS GETTING TOOLS TO CHECK RELAYS WHEN I NOTICED FIRE AT REAR WHEEL, DRIVER SIDE, AT GAS TANK. CALLED CLOSEST FIRE DEPARTMENT. 6/9/06. PARKING BRAKE LINE ON FIRE WITH ABS LINE. HAD WIRING REPAIRED. JULY 16,2006 BRAKES FELT LIKE THEY WERE LOCKING, REAR WAS SMOKING AGAIN, LOOKED LIKE FIRE AT GAS TANK. JULY 17 HAD MECHANIC CHECK ALL BRAKES WHICH WERE EXCELLENT EXCEPT PARKING BRAKE LINE BENT, BUT RELEASED. JULY 19, BRAKES LOCKING UP A LITTLE. JULY 20, COULDN'T DRIVE WITHOUT REVERSE/FORWARD AND STILL DIDN'T WANT TO GO. I SELL ICE CREAM TO LITTLE CHILDREN WHILE MY VAN IS RUNNING. PARKING BRAKES WORK BUT WON'T RELEASE FULLY. APPEARED TO BE VINYL LINING AT FLOOR LEVEL INTERFERING, BUT MAY HAVE BEEN WIRING. HAD A SECOND FIRE ON GROUND BATTERY TERMINAL AND INSIDE HOOD ON JUNE 16,2006 CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. DON'T KNOW CAUSE. REPLACED BURNED WIRING ONLY. ALL ELSE WORKED. ALSO, IT APPEARS

Mileage: 244,000

20060720FirePOWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT

I WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH WHEN I BEGAN DECELERATING AND REALIZED ENGINE HAD SHUT OFF. I COASTED TO A STOP. I WAS GETTING TOOLS TO CHECK RELAYS WHEN I NOTICED FIRE AT REAR WHEEL, DRIVER SIDE, AT GAS TANK. CALLED CLOSEST FIRE DEPARTMENT. 6/9/06. PARKING BRAKE LINE ON FIRE WITH ABS LINE. HAD WIRING REPAIRED. JULY 16,2006 BRAKES FELT LIKE THEY WERE LOCKING, REAR WAS SMOKING AGAIN, LOOKED LIKE FIRE AT GAS TANK. JULY 17 HAD MECHANIC CHECK ALL BRAKES WHICH WERE EXCELLENT EXCEPT PARKING BRAKE LINE BENT, BUT RELEASED. JULY 19, BRAKES LOCKING UP A LITTLE. JULY 20, COULDN'T DRIVE WITHOUT REVERSE/FORWARD AND STILL DIDN'T WANT TO GO. I SELL ICE CREAM TO LITTLE CHILDREN WHILE MY VAN IS RUNNING. PARKING BRAKES WORK BUT WON'T RELEASE FULLY. APPEARED TO BE VINYL LINING AT FLOOR LEVEL INTERFERING, BUT MAY HAVE BEEN WIRING. HAD A SECOND FIRE ON GROUND BATTERY TERMINAL AND INSIDE HOOD ON JUNE 16,2006 CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. DON'T KNOW CAUSE. REPLACED BURNED WIRING ONLY. ALL ELSE WORKED. ALSO, IT APPEARS

Mileage: 244,000

20060720FireSUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

I WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH WHEN I BEGAN DECELERATING AND REALIZED ENGINE HAD SHUT OFF. I COASTED TO A STOP. I WAS GETTING TOOLS TO CHECK RELAYS WHEN I NOTICED FIRE AT REAR WHEEL, DRIVER SIDE, AT GAS TANK. CALLED CLOSEST FIRE DEPARTMENT. 6/9/06. PARKING BRAKE LINE ON FIRE WITH ABS LINE. HAD WIRING REPAIRED. JULY 16,2006 BRAKES FELT LIKE THEY WERE LOCKING, REAR WAS SMOKING AGAIN, LOOKED LIKE FIRE AT GAS TANK. JULY 17 HAD MECHANIC CHECK ALL BRAKES WHICH WERE EXCELLENT EXCEPT PARKING BRAKE LINE BENT, BUT RELEASED. JULY 19, BRAKES LOCKING UP A LITTLE. JULY 20, COULDN'T DRIVE WITHOUT REVERSE/FORWARD AND STILL DIDN'T WANT TO GO. I SELL ICE CREAM TO LITTLE CHILDREN WHILE MY VAN IS RUNNING. PARKING BRAKES WORK BUT WON'T RELEASE FULLY. APPEARED TO BE VINYL LINING AT FLOOR LEVEL INTERFERING, BUT MAY HAVE BEEN WIRING. HAD A SECOND FIRE ON GROUND BATTERY TERMINAL AND INSIDE HOOD ON JUNE 16,2006 CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. DON'T KNOW CAUSE. REPLACED BURNED WIRING ONLY. ALL ELSE WORKED. ALSO, IT APPEARS

Mileage: 244,000

20060720FireSUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

I WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH WHEN I BEGAN DECELERATING AND REALIZED ENGINE HAD SHUT OFF. I COASTED TO A STOP. I WAS GETTING TOOLS TO CHECK RELAYS WHEN I NOTICED FIRE AT REAR WHEEL, DRIVER SIDE, AT GAS TANK. CALLED CLOSEST FIRE DEPARTMENT. 6/9/06. PARKING BRAKE LINE ON FIRE WITH ABS LINE. HAD WIRING REPAIRED. JULY 16,2006 BRAKES FELT LIKE THEY WERE LOCKING, REAR WAS SMOKING AGAIN, LOOKED LIKE FIRE AT GAS TANK. JULY 17 HAD MECHANIC CHECK ALL BRAKES WHICH WERE EXCELLENT EXCEPT PARKING BRAKE LINE BENT, BUT RELEASED. JULY 19, BRAKES LOCKING UP A LITTLE. JULY 20, COULDN'T DRIVE WITHOUT REVERSE/FORWARD AND STILL DIDN'T WANT TO GO. I SELL ICE CREAM TO LITTLE CHILDREN WHILE MY VAN IS RUNNING. PARKING BRAKES WORK BUT WON'T RELEASE FULLY. APPEARED TO BE VINYL LINING AT FLOOR LEVEL INTERFERING, BUT MAY HAVE BEEN WIRING. HAD A SECOND FIRE ON GROUND BATTERY TERMINAL AND INSIDE HOOD ON JUNE 16,2006 CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. DON'T KNOW CAUSE. REPLACED BURNED WIRING ONLY. ALL ELSE WORKED. ALSO, IT APPEARS

Mileage: 244,000

20030929POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

WHILE TURNING IN A PARKING LOT SHIFTER DISCONNECTED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. *AK IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE SHIFT LINKAGE ROD SNAPPED APART INSIDE THE STEERING COULMN. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE UPDATED PARTS AND INSTALLED IT HIMSELF. *NM

Mileage: 64,000

20030603FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

GAS TANK FELL OF VEHILCE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

20021211SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED VIBRATION DUE TO CRACKED ROTORS. THE BRAKE PADS WERE ALSO CRACKED IN HALF. *YH THE BRAKE PADS WERE CRACKED IN HALF BUT WERE NOT WORN TO THE POINT OF NEEDING REPLACEMENT. HOWEVER NEW BEARINGS AND SEALS WERE REPLACED. PHOTOS ATTACHED. *TT

Mileage: 54,590

20020515TIRES:SIDEWALL

TREAD SEPARATION FROM BODY OF TIRE AT SIDEWALL. MODERATE VIBRATION PROIR TO FAILURE. TIRE REMOVED FROM SERVICE BEFORE IT CATASTROPHIC FAILURE.*AK

20011101ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

NO FAULT CODES COULD BE FOUND AFTER INCIDENT BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. NO SAFETY DEFECT STATED.

20011024FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

RUBBER HOSE ATTACHMENT TO INLET PIPE TO METAL FUEL FILLER TUBE WAS CORRODED, AND DEVELOPED A CRACK WHICH CAUSED A FUEL LEAKAGE WHEN TANK WAS BEING FILLED.*AK

20010601TIRES

WE HAE EXPERIENCED PLY SEPARATIONS ON AT LEAST TWO TIRES ON THIS VAN FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CUASE OF THIS PROBLEM WHOULD BE INITIATED.*AK (TIRESIZE: 245/75-R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 245/75-R16 )

Compare 1993FORDE-350 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1993 FORD E-350 have?
The 1993 FORD E-350 has 53 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 8 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 FORD E-350?
The most-complained component for the 1993 FORD E-350 is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS.
Is the 1993 FORD E-350 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.