Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1983 Ford E-350: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 1983 Ford E-350, most recently filed August 1989. Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Recalls 8campaigns 3 engine · 2 fuel system · 1 visibility Source: NHTSA Complaints 5filed Owner reports, 1983–1992 shown Source: NHTSA ODI
Compare

Recalls (8)

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 1983 Ford E-350. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1983 Ford E-350. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 89V140000 Filed Aug 15, 1989

HEATER:WATER:DEFROSTER:DEFOGGER:HOSE

Visibility · defroster/defogger/hvac system · heater core
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Repair progress not yet reported2,700 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 89V140000
Listed for 1983 Ford E-350. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 88V133000 Filed Aug 9, 1988

ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES

Engine and engine cooling · cooling system · hoses/lines/piping/fittings
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Repair progress not yet reported14,975 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 88V133000
Listed for 1983 Ford E-350. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 87V144000 Filed Sep 9, 1987

FUEL:FUEL EMISSION CONTROL:LINES:VAPOR VENT

Engine and engine cooling · exhaust system · emission control
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Repair progress not yet reported188,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 87V144000
Listed for 1983 Ford E-350. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 87V113000 Filed Jul 21, 1987

FUEL:FUEL EMISSION CONTROL:LINES:VAPOR VENT

Engine and engine cooling · exhaust system · emission control
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Repair progress not yet reported16,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 87V113000
Listed for 1983 Ford E-350. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 85V061000 Filed May 14, 1985

FUEL:FUEL SYSTEM:WATER / FUEL DETECTION SYSTEM (DI

Fuel system, diesel
Official NHTSA text
Summary
WHEN FRONTALLY IMPACTED INTO A FIXED BARRIER AT 30 MPH, AS SPECIFIED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 301, THE LEFT FRAME RAILS OF SUCH VEHICLES MAY DISPLACE INBOARD, PINCHING THE FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR CANISTER BETWEEN THE FRAME RAIL AND ENGINE SUFFICIENTLY TO DISPLACE THE FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR DRAIN ROD, ALLOWING THE CONTENTS OF THE CANISTER TO DRAIN. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL LEAK DURING OR AFTER A CRASH INCREASES THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE.
Remedy
INSTALL A CANISTER SHIELD, A REVISED DESIGN DRAIN ROD SHIELD, AND MODIFY FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR MOUNTING BRACKET.
Repair progress not yet reported8,500 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 85V061000
Listed for 1983 Ford E-350. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 84V034000 Filed Mar 23, 1984

FUEL:FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY:ATTACHMENTS

Fuel system, gasoline · storage · tank assembly · mounting
Official NHTSA text
Summary
ATTACHING BOLTS ON FUEL TANK SUPPORTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED; ALSO, THE SUPPORTS ARE TOO THIN. HIGH LEVELS OF STRESS, WHICH COULD OCCUR UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS, COULD CAUSE CRACKS TO DEVELOP IN THE SUPPORT STRAPS. IF THE FUEL TANK SUPPORTS FRACTURE, THE FUEL TANK WILL SLIP FROM THE NORMAL POSITION, AND FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT.
Remedy
FUEL TANK SUPPORTS AND FASTENERS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
Repair progress not yet reported4,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 84V034000
Listed for 1983 Ford E-350. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 82V124000 Filed Dec 13, 1982

FUEL:FUEL PUMP

Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · fuel pump
Official NHTSA text
Summary
SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE A DIODE IN THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP CIRCUIT THAT MAY SHORT DURING ENGINE STARTING DUE TO INADEQUATE CAPACITY TO WITHSTAND CURRENT DRAW. A SHORT CIRCUIT WOULD RESULT IN NORMAL ENGINE STARTING, BUT THE PUMP WILL NOT CONTINUE TO SUPPLY THE ENGINE WITH FUEL.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE ELEMENT IN THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP CIRCUIT WITH A NEW RELAY FEED WIRING ASSEMBLY WHICH CONTAINS A LARGER CAPACITY DIODE, FREE OF CHARGE.
Repair progress not yet reported650 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 82V124000
Listed for 1983 Ford E-350. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 82V104000 Filed Oct 26, 1982

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

Power train · axle assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE LOCK WEDGES USED TO SECURE THE AXLE BEARING NUTS TO THE AXLE HOUSING MAY FALL OUT OF POSITION, ALLOWING THE NUT TO LOOSEN. THE NUT ON THE LEFT SIDE MAY FALL OFF, ALLOWING MOVEMENT OF THE AXLE SHAFT.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE LOCK WEDGES WITH AN IMPROVED VERSION. WHEEL BEARINGS WILL BE INSPECTED AND ADJUSTED OR REPLACED, IF NECESSARY.
Repair progress not yet reported74,985 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 82V104000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which E-350 years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Ford E-350All model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (5)

5 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
2involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1983 Ford E-350, by component (top 5). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 5.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1983 compares with other E-350 years

Best and worst E-350 years →
5 4 2 11 14 11 26 23 19 41
1983198419851986198719881989199019911992
This year (1983)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1983 E-350 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All E-350 years

Where to next

Which E-350 years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →1984 Ford E-350 report4 complaints · 12 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

1983 Ford E-350 FAQ

How many recalls does the 1983 Ford E-350 have?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns: 89V140000 (visibility), 88V133000 (engine), 87V144000 (engine), 87V113000 (engine), 85V061000 (fuel system), 84V034000 (fuel system), 82V124000 (fuel pump), 82V104000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1983 Ford E-350 problems?

Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (1), Engine and engine cooling (1), Fuel/propulsion system (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

How does the 1983 E-350 compare with other years?

Among the 1983–1992 Ford E-350 model years at least five years old, the 1985 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 1992 the most (41). The 1983 drew 5. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Report an errorMethodologyHow we use AI
Was this report useful?Report a data error
My Garage
Save this car and we'll flag new recall campaigns next time you visit.