1985 Ford E350: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
5,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 50.0% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Tires:Tread/Belt: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 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 |
Under 25,000: 1; 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
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 1 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
1996: 1; 2002: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues 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 8023220 · 2002-11-25 (November 25, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING 50MPH HAD TREAD SEPARATION ON FRONT RIGHT TIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE SIZE OF TIRE AND DOT #. NON ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. TS ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS, TIRE SEPARATED AND ANOTHER BLEWOUT WHILE SITTING IN THE GARAGE. DOT H2XLYCP459 AND H2XLYCP449. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 8023220 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983790 · 1996-04-30 (April 30, 1996)
ELECTRICAL SHORT, SMOKE WAS COMING UNDER THE DASH AND VENT AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983790 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
10 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
85V061000 · Fuel System, Diesel
Reported: 1985-05-14 (May 14, 1985)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗86V092000 · Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
Reported: 1986-07-14 (July 14, 1986)
COMPOSITE GRAPHITE DRIVESHAFTS ARE SUBJECT TO OVERHEATING WHILE IDLING, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE DRIVESHAFT TWISTING AND SHORTENING CAUSING THE SLIP YOKE TO DISCONNECT FROM THE TRANSMISSION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE DRIVESHAFT DISCONNECTS FROM THE TRANSMISSION THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME IMMOBILE WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: INSTALL METAL DRIVESHAFT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗86V094000 · Steering:Linkages:Drag:Link:Connection
Reported: 1986-07-15 (July 15, 1986)
THE RUBBER THAT ENCASES BALL STUD AND SOCKET JOINT (CONNECTS STEERING DRAG LINK AND PITMAN ARM) MAY DETERIORATE, CAUSING METAL TO METAL CONTACT, AND MAY EVENTUALLY RESULT IN COMPLETE SEPARATION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE DRAG LINK TO PITMAN ARM CONNECTION RESULTS IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW DRAG LINK ASSEMBLIES WITH STEEL BALL AND SOCKET JOINTS AT THE PITMAN ARM CONNECTIONS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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 ↗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 ↗89V140000 · 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 ↗