1994 Ford E-350: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 51 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (33% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2011
“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”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2009
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2006
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2002
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2001
“Consumer states when he returned to vehicle, he noticed that headlights were on, when he opened the door the light switch was on is off position, and at that time, that is when he noticed smoke coming from the steering column, consumer disconnected the battery which stopped the smoke, consumer removed the malfunctioned switch that shorted out, and has since replaced the switch.*jb”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2001
“During a trip in august of 2000 I had the right rear tire tread separated in doing so it took out the floor/cabinet/wiring/ exhaust/ fender, and flares, etc.then again on 6/08/01 within 150 miles, I lost 3 more tires due to tread separation. This time it could have been serious,when tread separated it took out the holding tank along with the fuel tank fill tube and vent tube. If anything it would have sparked the whole thing could have gone up in flames.these were at speeds of 65mph and under and on some very hot days.all tires had around 11/32 of tread left on them.I'am very concerned that this could happen to someone else and cause some injury or death. *ak (tiresize: 225/75r16)”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2001
“Tread seperation at high speed causing considerable damage to wheel well and fender (dot number: md11amhv 4 tiresize: lt245/7r16)”Owner report · Tires · Nov 2000
“The tire started tread delamination. An 8 inch strip peeled away from the tire. I stopped, changed to the spare, and the next day replaced all the running tires with michelin tires. The spare is still from the original set of firestone. (dot number: vnii8ia tiresize: lt245/75r1)”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2000
“Alternator feed wire had rubbed into the passenger side radiator support, shorting out and igniting the hydrogen gasses produced by the battery being charged resulting in fire, driver sustained smoke inhilation. Nlm”Owner report · Electrical System · May 1999
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE PARKING BRAKE APPLICATION FORCE FOR A FOOT OPERATED CONTROL SYSTEM SHOULD NOT EXCEED 125 POUNDS TO HOLD THE VEHICLE ON A 30% GRADE. INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL AND A WIRE HARNESS MAY INCREASE THE NEEDED PEDAL FORCE TO GREATER THAN 125 POUNDS TO SET THE PARKING BRAKE TO HOLD THE VEHICLE ON THE 30% GRADE.
Remedy: FINAL STAGE MANUFACTURERS WILL BE INFORMED OF THIS CONDITION AND PROVIDED WITH PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS NECESSARY TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION.
FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply, Inc. (Cummings) is recalling various model year 1994-2011 Ford and Chevrolet vans equipped with Braun NCL-2, and NVL-2 wheel chair lifts manufactured November 20, 2006, through September 10, 2010. Over time, and with frequent use, the roll stop latches on the outer barrier of the lifts in these vans may become bent or misaligned.
Remedy: Braun Corporation notified all the vehicle owners, and Cummings Mobility replaced the recalled parts with new parts, free of charge. The recall was completed as of April 10, 2014. Owners may contact Cummings customer service at 1-800-639-5438.
How other years compare
Check your exact E-350 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1994 Ford E-350 reliable?
NHTSA has 51 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Ford E-350. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Ford E-350 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 230,000 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Ford E-350 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.