1996 Ford E-350: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 50 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is tires (32% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“ABS sporadically causes difficulty in pressing the break pedal while rhythmically pulling hard right. Highway or surface speeds. Google has many with the same problem and no fix. No codes are thrown. Dealers are no help. Must disable the ABS by pulling the 60amp fuse.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2016
“This issue was on a 1996 ford f350 ambulance on route to emergency call when engine shut down and lost all power like it was out of fuel 7.3 liter diesel and tank was full. Had unit towed to cross wood ford in kernersville nc and $2700.00 later after new fuel tank fuel pump 6 injectors and turbo due to liner inside of tank came off and clogged the fuel system and engine ford motor company was no help and said since the vehicle was out of warranty they would not do anything to resolve the cost issues. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2007
“Discovery of cracked front rotors on my 1996 e-350 motorhome. First cracked rotor found in may 2007 with 35,000 miles on vehicle. Second cracked rotor found in september 2009 with 41,000 miles on vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“Consumer states that while driving at 55 mph tread on the passenger side rear separated from the tire. Several weeks later the same thing happened with the front passenger tire while driving at 65 mph. *ak”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2003
“Consumer states that valve stems recommended for vehicle is not effective after 8000 miles. On several occasions tires would become flat for no apparent reason. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, who informed consumer of the valve problem.*ak”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2003
“The injector module failed, which caused the power steering to stop working. *jb this was the second fuel injector driver module that failed due to water in the module. The engine stopped with ovt warning. Scc”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2003
“Consumer's vehicle experienced 3 tread separations on firestone steel tex brand. Dealer and manufacturer had been contacted. Ts one other tire showed signs of tread separation which included the spare. All tires had to be replaced. *tt *jb”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2002
“Consumer was traveling on highway and vehicle was vibrating. Consumer took vehicle to a shop, and both front rotors were cracked. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2001
“After noticing a fuel smell consumer had vehicle inspected and found fuel tank was cracking at seams. There was a recall for fuel tank on 1997-2001 vans, but this model was not included due to VIN. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2001
“While driving at 60 mph, the entire tread came of the right inside dual tire, firestone lt 22575r16, which put a hole in the bottom of the motorhome.”Owner report · Tires · Oct 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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.
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)
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 1996 Ford E-350 reliable?
NHTSA has 50 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Ford E-350. The most complained-about area is tires (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Ford E-350 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 38,935 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Ford E-350 have open recalls?
3 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.