1999 Ford E-350: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 72 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is tires (33% 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 72 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 1999 Ford E-350 Jamboree equipped with Sailun Tires, Tire Line: Terramax H/T, Tire Size: 225/75/R16, DOT Number: (535PLE50). The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, there were pieces of the driver's side inside dual tire striking the underside of the vehicle and hitting the highway. The contact managed to drive the vehicle back to his residence. The contact stated that the tread had separated leaving only the steel belt and the side wall. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 80,000 and the tire failure mileage was 5,000.”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2022
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford e-350 equipped with nexen tires, tire line: roadian ht, tire size: lt225/ 75r16 (n/a), and dot number: beakbamr3312. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel started violently shaking without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front passenger side tire steel belt was fractured and needed to be replaced. The tire was not replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 91,012 and the approximate tire failure mileage was 14,913.”Owner report · Tires · Oct 2015
“The vehicle stalls on numerous occasions due to lack of fuel. Investigation proved that the interior paint of the gas tank peals blocking the fuel pump. Research shows that delamination of the gas tank is frequent in this model causing a very unsafe condition as the van can stop at anytime as it looses power and propulsion due to the paint flakes blocking the fuel. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2014
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“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford f350. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the contact noticed that the fuel tank was dangling from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where it was stated that the fuel tank support straps were rusted. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford e-350 equipped with unicorn creation lt tires, line size 225/75/r16. The contact stated that she heard a loud noise outside the vehicle and noticed that the passenger side rear outer tire blew out. The tire was taken to a tire shop and they stated that the steel belt separated. The failure mileage was 73,498.”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2012
“Tl* the contact owns 1999 ford e-350 equipped with runway enduro ht tires, line sizes lt225/75/r16. The contact stated that after inspecting the driver side rear outer tire she noticed that it had become deflated. The tire was taken to a tire shop who stated that cracks had developed in the tire walls and the steel belt separated. The failure mileage was 73,000.”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford e350. The contact was driving 35 mph when the vehicle exhibited an abnormal pop. Immediately, fuel flooded into the vehicle cabin. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer advised the contact that they had to replace the spark plug. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 372,000 and the current mileage is 372,500 updated 07/06/12 *bf the cylinder heads were replaced as well. Updated 07/12/12”Owner report · Engine · May 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford e350 van. The contact stated that the diesel fuel tank developed corrosion. The corrosion had filtered into the engine and caused the engine to stall while the contact was driving 65 mph. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic who advised that the entire fuel system needed to be replaced due to the corrosion. The contact had the fuel tank and fuel injectors cleaned previously but the cleaning did not remedy the issue. The failure mileage was 285,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2011
“Ford e-350 and e-250 vans, both are year,1999 the antilock and brake lights came on simultaneously at a 105k miles on each. There should be no reason for this and I also noticed many others with the same issues. It will impose a safety issue because I seen a web site mentioning how to disconnect dash lights for both. Please take this into consideration before auto owners start disconnecting wire harness. [xxx] parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Electric · Feb 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford e-350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact noticed that the rear of the vehicle was low. The contact stopped and inspected the vehicle but could find nothing wrong. When she reached her residence, she saw that the driver side rear tire lug nuts had ripped of the wheel and fractured the rim. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.”Owner report · Wheels · Jan 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 22 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL CNG PICKUP TRUCKS AND BI-FUEL CNG VANS, MODIFIED BY CFI CONTROL SYSTEMS, INC., FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 303, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY OF COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS VEHICLES." THE LABEL AFFIXED TO THE FUEL FILLER DOOR BY THE VEHICLE MODIFIER CONTAINS THE INSPECTION DATE AND EXPIRATION DATE OF THE CNG TANK. HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT CONTAIN THE STATEMENT "SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FUEL CONTAINER FOR INSPECTION AND SERVICE LIFE."
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED A LABEL WITH THE REQUIRED STATEMENT, ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR AFFIXING THE LABEL AT THE FUEL FILLER DOOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 2, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS BUILT WITH SINGLE REAR WHEELS AND EQUIPPED WITH 3.55:1 AND 3.73:1 AXLE RATIO. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH INCORRECT SPEEDOMETER DRIVEN GEARS, RESULTING IN A LOWER SPEEDOMETER READING THAN THE ACTUAL VEHICLE SPEED BEING DRIVEN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT SPEEDOMETER GEAR.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: UTILITY VANS EQUIPPED WITH THE "60/40" HINGED SIDE CARGO DOORS. THE STRIKERS FOR THE 60/40 DOOR SINGLE LATCH SYSTEM WERE FOUND TO CONTAIN STRESS CRACKS AT THE STRIKER WIRE LOWER STAKE JOINT. STRIKERS WITH STRESS CRACKS MAY NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR STRIKER.
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 PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN VANS WITH AMBULANCE PREP PACKAGES OR OTHER SEVERE-DUTY APPLICATIONS INVOLVING OPERATION AT OR NEAR THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT WITH FREQUENT TWISTING OF THE VEHICLE BODY, SUCH AS OFF-ROAD, ROUGH ROAD OR SPEED BUMP EVENTS, THE 35 GALLON MID-SHIP FUEL TANK COULD DEVELOP A CRACK WHERE IT CONTACTS THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER. IF THE FUEL TANK CRACKS, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND, IF CRACKED, WILL REPLACE THE TANK. INSULATOR PADS WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES TO REDUCE THE STRESS LEVELS IN THE FUEL TANK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CUTAWAYS AND STRIPPED CHASSIS WITH SINGLE REAR WHEELS. THE LUG NUTS CAN POTENTIALLY BOTTOM OUT ON A SHOULDER ON THE STUDS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL ATTACHING STUDS.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
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 1999 Ford E-350 reliable?
NHTSA has 72 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Ford E-350. The most complained-about area is tires (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Ford E-350 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 87,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Ford E-350 have open recalls?
8 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:labels. 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.