- The problem
- HEATER HOSE MAY BE INCORRECTLY ROUTED.
- The risk
- Hose could wear through and leak which could result inan underhood fire.
- The fix
- REROUTE AND REPAIR HOSE AS NECESSARY.
Vehicle safety record
1985 Ford E350 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1985 Ford E350 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 10 recalls, the latest in August 1989 for the heater core.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical E350 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1985 Ford E350 recalls 10
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- HEATER HOSE MAY BE INCORRECTLY ROUTED.
- The risk
- Hose could wear through and leak which could result inan underhood fire.
- The fix
- REROUTE AND REPAIR HOSE, AS NECESSARY.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This could cause loss of electrical system which couldresult in an underhood fire.
- The fix
- Install retrofit rit of plastic-coated metal clamps, loom for positive battery cables and re-route wiring.
- The problem
- Extreme operating conditions could cause premature deterioration of the engine compartment heater hoses or engine bypass hoses.
- The risk
- Engine coolant could discharge onto the engine and itsexhaust manifold creating the potential for a fire due to the high engineexhaust manifold temperatures.
- The fix
- Replace hoses and radiator caps; install high heat resistance aluminized stainless steel mufflers.
- The problem
- Vehicles are subject to excessive underhood temperatures and fuel system pressures in severe duty applications.
- The risk
- This creates potential for fuel expulsion from the fuelfiller pipe which in the presence of an ignition source, could result in afire.
- The fix
- Install modification kits to minimize possibility of fuel expulsion and to shield underbody components from exhaust system heat.
- The problem
- EXPULSION OF FUEL DUE TO OVERPRESSURIZATION.
- The risk
- Fuel or fuel vapors in the presence of an ignitionsource can cause a fire.
- The fix
- Modification of the base fuel venting and emission control system to reduce operating temperatures and fuel system pressures.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Fuel may leak from vapor valve and become the source offuel for a fire.
- The fix
- Installation of a newly designed vapor valve grommet.
- The problem
- 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.
- The fix
- Install new drag link assemblies with steel ball and socket joints at the pitman arm connections.
- The problem
- 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.
- The fix
- INSTALL METAL DRIVESHAFT.
- The problem
- 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.
- The fix
- Install a canister shield, a revised design drain rod shield, and modify fuel/water separator mounting bracket.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1985 Ford E350 yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Ford E350: every year compared
All E350 years1985 Ford E350 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 Ford E350 | 0 | 10 | F | |
| 1985 Ford Bronco | 20 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1985 Ford Bronco II | 13 | 1 | B | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1985 Ford E350
Does the 1985 Ford E350 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 1985 Ford E350: heater core (August 1989); heater core (August 1989); wiring (April 1989); hoses / lines / piping / fittings (August 1988) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1985 Ford E350 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1985 Ford E350 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 3 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Ford E350 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
What should I do if my 1985 Ford E350 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data