PlainCars

FORD E350 · model year

1990 FORD E350

28 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1990FORDE350 carries 28 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 0 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 1990 E350 is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components with 5 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (4) and structure (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 1990 E350. 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.

28
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

28 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP4
STRUCTURE3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS2
TIRES:TREAD/BELT2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1

Recent Complaints

20090225FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL FROM REAR TANK OVERFLOWED TO FRONT TANK WHICH LEAKED OUT EXCESS FUEL. OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE REPAIRS. DID A SEARCH FOR THE ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A SECRET OPEN WARRANTY COVERING THE ISSUE, CALLED FORD AND GOT 'PERMISSION' TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS WORSE ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT FRANK JACKSON IN SANDY SPRINGS GA. SO I HAD TO WAIT A COUPLE MORE DAYS TO GET THE NEW ONE. IT SEEMS FINE NOW. BUT HOW MANY MORE OF THE SENSORS OR WHATEVER IT'S CALLED ARE BAD THAT THEY HAVE IN STOCK TO REPLACE EXISTING FAULTY ONES? *TR

Mileage: 89,000

20010709SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THE FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPERS DO NOT RETRACT AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES, FRICTION FROM THE BRAKE PADS CAUSES THE BRAKE FLUID TO BOIL EFFECTIVELY RESULTING IN NO BRAKE OPERATION, THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS LEFT SITTING FOR ABOUT A MONTH, RUST DEVELOPS ON THE SLIDER BARS WHICH PREVENTS THE CALIPERS FROM RETRACTING TO THE RESET POSITION. NLM

20001219TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TWO OF THE FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL R4S LT 215/85R16 MS TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, FIRST TIME TIRE WRAPPED AND DAMAGED ADJOINING TIRE ON LEFT REAR DUAL, SECOND TIRE UNWRAPPED AND BROKE OUT BOTTOM OF THE HOLDING TANK, CONSUMER INSTALLED ARMOR PLAT TO PROTECT NEW TANK. *MJS

20001011TIRES:TREAD/BELT

FIRESTONE, STEEL TEX R4S, LT235/85R16 SIZE . TREAD ON THREE OF THE TIRES SEPARATED ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT ON ONE OCCASION, HE ALMOST HIT HEAD ON WITH A TRACTOR TRAILOR. *SLC

19990910SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER WAS COMING DOWN A HILL IN IN DRY WEATHER CONDITION WHEN PROCEEDING TO STOP AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES .CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GRADUALLY STOP VEHICLE BEFORE A CRASH. *AK

19990113SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

BRAKE HOSE FAILED.

19981201ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

GASKET O-RING FAILURE RESULTING IN LEAK WHICH CAUSED FUEL FILTER TO BECOME OBSTRUCTED AND GASOLINE TO LEAK VEHICLE.

19980323ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH.

19980309SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

NEAR COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO THE BRAKES HANGING UP AND OVERHEATING TO THE EXTENT THAT THERE IS A LOSS OF STOPPING POWER, GUIDE PINS RUSTING COULD BE THE CAUSE.

19970627SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

BRAKE HOSE FAILED.

19970627SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES OVERHEAT, ALSO DIFFICULTY DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL.

19970527SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED.

19970421SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

DISC BRAKES OVERHEAT, BRAKE FLUID BOILS OUT; PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH; CALIPERS STICK; GARAGE BLED BRAKES, REPLACED ROTORS/CALIPERS. *AK

19970421SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

DISC BRAKES OVERHEAT, BRAKE FLUID BOILS OUT; PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH; CALIPERS STICK; GARAGE BLED BRAKES, REPLACED ROTORS/CALIPERS. *AK

19970421SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

DISC BRAKES OVERHEAT, BRAKE FLUID BOILS OUT; PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH; CALIPERS STICK; GARAGE BLED BRAKES, REPLACED ROTORS/CALIPERS. *AK

19970102SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

DURING NORMAL DRIVING THE BRAKES RUSTED AND FROZE IN A LOCKED POSITION, WHEN THE BRAKES WHERE APPLIED VEHICLE STARTED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND STARTED SMOKING BEFORE GOING OFF THE ROAD. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

19960930SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED.

19960923SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKES FAILED TWICE DUE BRAKE FLUID EXPANDING OUT THE TOP OF THE RESERVOIR, CAUSING RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO SMOKE.

19960909FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

ENGINE STALLED FOUR TIMES DUE TO POOR DESIGN OF FUEL PUMP.

19960508FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE RIGHT UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Compare 1990FORDE350 to Similar Vehicles

E350 vs FORDF-150 → E350 vs FORDEXPLORER → E350 vs JEEPGRAND CHEROKEE → E350 vs FORDESCAPE →

NHTSA Investigations

PE09055Preliminary EvaluationClosed

HVAC Switch Failures

DP87025Defect PetitionClosed

FORD E350 EMS VEH. FIRES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1990 FORD E350 have?▼
The 1990 FORD E350 has 28 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 FORD E350?▼
The most-complained component for the 1990 FORD E350 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP and STRUCTURE.
Is the 1990 FORD E350 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

Understanding NHTSA Complaints → Vehicle Recalls Explained → Safest Car Brands 2026 → Most Reliable Used Cars → Lemon Law Guide →

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.