Total Complaints
60 filings
FORD E-350 · model year
60 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1994FORDE-350 carries 60 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 5 fires, 5 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 1994 E-350 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 11 filings, followed by tires (4) and power train:automatic transmission (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 1994 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.
Total Complaints
60 filings
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 11 |
| TIRES | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | 2 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 1 |
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH WITH SPEED CONTROL ENGAGED. TRUCK AHEAD OF ME APPLIED BRAKES. I APPLIED MY BRAKES. SPEED CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE. BRAKE FROZE IN 'HIGH' ('OFF') POSITION WITHOUT ANY BRAKE APPLICATION. PASSING GEAR WAS ENGAGED AND VEHICLE SHOT FORWARD. FOOT CONTACT WITH BRAKE OR ACCELERATOR DID NOT AFFECT ACCELERATION OR SHUT OFF SPEED CONTROL. I MANUALLY TURNED OFF THE SPEED CONTROL NARROWLY AVOIDING A COLLISION. TESTED THE SYSTEM ON AN OPEN STRETCH OF INTERSTATE LATER IN THE DAY AND THE SITUATION DUPLICATED ITSELF 4 TIMES. VEHICLE IS AT DEALERS NOW FOR INSPECTION: OLATHE FORD, OLATHE KS
Mileage: 236,000
SUDDEN BRAKE HOSE FAILURE. 1994 FORD DIESEL E350 W/4-WHEEL ABS. BRAKE HOSE FAILURE DUE TO RUSTED PORTION OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY . THE AREA THAT RUSTED AWAY IS THE CRIMPED CONNECTION WHICH JOINS THE RUBBER HOSE TO THE STEEL FITTING AT THE CALIPER END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY. THIS RUST IS NOT VISIBLE WHILE DOING A ROUTINE INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM BECAUSE IT IS COVERED BY A RUBBER SLEEVE. APPARENTLY WATER/MOISTURE IS COLLECTING UNDER THIS RUBBER SLEEVE AND CORRODING THE STEEL CRIMPED AREA OF THE FITTING UNTIL THERE IS NO MORE OF A SECURE CONNECTION OF THE RUBBER HOSE TO THE STEEL , THEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND THE FLUID IS PRESSURIZED IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM THE RUBBER HOSE WILL BLOW AWAY FROM THE STEEL FITTING. (IDENTICAL FAILURE IN NHTSA DATABASE MAY 06, 2002 - TOMS RIVER, NJ). *TR
Mileage: 435,448
WHEN I AM DRIVING MY 1994 E350 DIESEL TRUCK, THERE WILL BE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES RESULTING IN A LOSS OF ABILITY TO STOP THE TRUCK. FORTUNATELY, I WAS TRAVELING AT A SLOW SPEED WITH PLENTY OF CLEARANCE AHEAD OF ME AND WAS ABLE TO PULL THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD AND HAVE IT TOWED IN TO A MECHANIC SHOP. SO FAR THE SERPENTINE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED, A NEW TENSIONER INSTALLED, AND A NEW IDLER PUT IN. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. I SEE THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED # 9610030000 BY NHTSA FOR 1994 FORD ECONOLINE E350 TRUCKS WITH SERPENTINE BELT PROBLEMS AND THAT THE FORD DEALERS HAVE AGREED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. WHEN I CALL FORD, THEY SAY THAT MY VIN# IS NOT AMONG THOSE THAT WERE RECALLED. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME I HAVE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES DUE TO A SERPENTINE BELT MALFUNCTION. I BELIEVE THAT MORE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED THAT YEAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR
Mileage: 230,000
WHEN I AM DRIVING MY 1994 E350 DIESEL TRUCK, THERE WILL BE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES RESULTING IN A LOSS OF ABILITY TO STOP THE TRUCK. FORTUNATELY, I WAS TRAVELING AT A SLOW SPEED WITH PLENTY OF CLEARANCE AHEAD OF ME AND WAS ABLE TO PULL THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD AND HAVE IT TOWED IN TO A MECHANIC SHOP. SO FAR THE SERPENTINE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED, A NEW TENSIONER INSTALLED, AND A NEW IDLER PUT IN. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. I SEE THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED # 9610030000 BY NHTSA FOR 1994 FORD ECONOLINE E350 TRUCKS WITH SERPENTINE BELT PROBLEMS AND THAT THE FORD DEALERS HAVE AGREED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. WHEN I CALL FORD, THEY SAY THAT MY VIN# IS NOT AMONG THOSE THAT WERE RECALLED. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME I HAVE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES DUE TO A SERPENTINE BELT MALFUNCTION. I BELIEVE THAT MORE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED THAT YEAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR
Mileage: 230,000
WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD AND NOTICEABLE VIBRATION IN VAN. TOOK VAN TO SEARS SERVICE CENTER IN LAS CRUCES. MECHANIC ADVISED THAT ONE OF THE TIRES WAS COMING APART FROM INSIDE OUT. TIRE HAD A VERY NOTICEABLE WEAVE PATTERN. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. *TR
Mileage: 285,359
1994 E350 CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS A MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THE TRUCK HAD A BAD WATER PUMP AND THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *JB
1994 FORD E350, CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE. *KB AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER DROVE IT DIRECTLY TO AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALERSHIP FOR AND INITIAL INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING AND DOUBTED HIS ABILITY TO GET IT REPAIRED UNDER THE VEHICLE'S EXTENDED WARRANTY, SINCE IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN INOPERATIVE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. FOR SEVERAL DAYS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE SALES DEALER. MESSAGES WERE LEFT BUT NONE OF THE CALLS WERE RETURNED. THE CONSUMER FINALLY SPOKE WITH THE OWNER OF THE DEALER WHO REPUDIATED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND BOASTED THAT HE HAD THE CONSUMER'S INITIAL ON THREE SEPARATE DOCUMENTS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD AS-IS. *NM
Mileage: 28,945
REPAIR SHOP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT WIRES MELTED ON THE TANK'; THE PROBLEM WAS NOT YET RESOLVED.*AK *TC
Mileage: 25,000
THERE ARE METAL LINES POSITIONED OVER THE LEFT REAR TIRE. THE DEBRIS AND WATER FROM THE ROAD CAUSED THESE METAL LINES TO RUST AND LEAK, CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO DROP ONTO THE TIRE. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE COULD CAUSE THE TIRES TO LOSE TRACTION WHILE DRIVING. *AK
THERE ARE METAL LINES POSITIONED OVER THE LEFT REAR TIRE. THE DEBRIS AND WATER FROM THE ROAD CAUSED THESE METAL LINES TO RUST AND LEAK, CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO DROP ONTO THE TIRE. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE COULD CAUSE THE TIRES TO LOSE TRACTION WHILE DRIVING. *AK
WHEN TRYING TO STOP ABRUPTLY ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM TAKES OVER WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LOSE BRAKE POWER. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
ACTUALLY THE COMPLAINT IS IN REGARD TO A NEAR MISS CONDITION WHILE DRIVIING MY 1994 DAMON ULTRASPORT (FORD E350) MOTOR HOME. WHILE REURNING FROM VACATION I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING ON THE FRONT OF MY MOTORHOME WAS LOOSE AND AS I WAS PASSED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER RIG IN IOWA ON INTERSTATE 80 THE WIND TURBULANCE CAUSED MY VEHICLE STEERING TO BE VERY ERRATIC. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A SERVICE CALL AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THE SERVICE MECHANIC AT MONTICELLO FORD. THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICHLE AND SAID THE TOP BALL JOINTS WERE WORN APPROXIMATELY AN 1/8". FORD SAID THE TOLERANCE IS 1/4' AND MY WARRANTY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS MEMORY STEERING BY THE MECHANIC. IN THE ABSENCE OF WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR AN $800 REPAIR, HE RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE THE STEERING DAMPENER TO SEE IF IT HELPS MITIGATE THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMED TO REDUCE THE PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT ELIMINATED IT. HE DOES NOT RECOMMEND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WITH THE BALL JOINTS BEING SO LOOSE. HE ALSO MENT
Mileage: 44,000
EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT AND THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT THE MANUFACTURER PAY FOR AT LEAST HALF THE BILL FOR THE FAILED COMPONENT. NLM
FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. REGULATOR WAS SUPPOSED TO READ AT A VERY LOW NUMBER, BUT WHEN VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING, IT WAS READING AT 90 LBS. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE REGULATOR IS SUPPOSED TO REGULATE PRESSURE TO 35 PSI. VEHICLE WAS STILL DRIVE ABLE, BUT WAS RUNNING VERY RICH DUE TO REGULATOR MALFUNCTION. *YH
WHILE ADJUSTING TILT MECHANISM FOR STEERING COLUMN WIRING HARNESS SEPARATED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS/ TURN SIGNALS, AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION. *AK
WHILE ADJUSTING TILT MECHANISM FOR STEERING COLUMN WIRING HARNESS SEPARATED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS/ TURN SIGNALS, AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION. *AK
WHILE ADJUSTING TILT MECHANISM FOR STEERING COLUMN WIRING HARNESS SEPARATED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS/ TURN SIGNALS, AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION. *AK
WHILE ADJUSTING TILT MECHANISM FOR STEERING COLUMN WIRING HARNESS SEPARATED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS/ TURN SIGNALS, AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION. *AK
WHILE ADJUSTING TILT MECHANISM FOR STEERING COLUMN WIRING HARNESS SEPARATED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS/ TURN SIGNALS, AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION. *AK
IN THE LAST 2,000 MILES, I HAVE HAD 3 TIRES SEPARATE AND BLOW OUT. *AK (TIRESIZE: LT225/75R1)
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.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.