Model year guide

1987 Ford e350

Q: Does the 1987 Ford e350 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 1987 Ford e350. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1987 Ford e350 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1987 Ford e350 at a glance

Safety recalls8

Owner complaints14

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1987 Ford e350 recalls 8

Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:heater Core NHTSA Campaign #89V150000 · 01/10/1989

HEATER HOSE MAY BE INCORRECTLY ROUTED.

Fix: REROUTE HOSE AS NECESSARY.

Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:heater Core NHTSA Campaign #89V139000 · 15/08/1989

HEATER HOSE MAY BE INCORRECTLY ROUTED.

Fix: REROUTE AND REPAIR HOSE, AS NECESSARY.

Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:heater Core NHTSA Campaign #89V075000 · 09/05/1989

HEATER HOSE MAY BE INCORRECTLY ROUTED.

Fix: REROUTE AND SPLICE HOSE AS NECESSARY.

Electrical System:wiring NHTSA Campaign #89V062000 · 17/04/1989

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.

Fix: INSTALL RETROFIT RIT OF PLASTIC-COATED METAL CLAMPS, LOOM FOR POSITIVE BATTERY CABLES AND RE-ROUTE WIRING.

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:hoses/lines/piping/fittings NHTSA Campaign #88V133000 · 09/08/1988

EXTREME OPERATING CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEATER HOSES OR ENGINE BYPASS HOSES.

Fix: REPLACE HOSES AND RADIATOR CAPS; INSTALL HIGH HEAT RESISTANCE ALUMINIZED STAINLESS STEEL MUFFLERS.

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control NHTSA Campaign #87V144000 · 09/09/1987

VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO EXCESSIVE UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES IN SEVERE DUTY APPLICATIONS.

Fix: INSTALL MODIFICATION KITS TO MINIMIZE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL EXPULSION AND TO SHIELD UNDERBODY COMPONENTS FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT.

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control NHTSA Campaign #87V113000 · 21/07/1987

EXPULSION OF FUEL DUE TO OVERPRESSURIZATION.

Fix: MODIFICATION OF THE BASE FUEL VENTING AND EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM TO REDUCE OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting NHTSA Campaign #87V111000 · 16/07/1987

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.

Fix: INSTALLATION OF A NEWLY DESIGNED VAPOR VALVE GROMMET.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1987 Ford e350 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Structure

Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

Service Brakes

Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

Hydraulic

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Fuel System

Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 12

FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILS Closed

NHTSA #PE94065 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Aug 1994 · closed Dec 1994

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NHTSA #PE89058 · Visibility · opened Feb 1989 · closed May 1989

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 5

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

FRONT CALIPER PISTON BOOTS DAMAGED. *YC

Bulletin 985A38 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 1998

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, IRREGULAR FRONT LINING WEAR, AND BRAKE PULL. *YC

Bulletin 985A29 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 1998

DIAGNOSTIC GUIDES FOR OUT-OF-WARRANTY VEHICLES TO BE USED AS A MASTER COPY - DIAGNOSTIC GUIDES NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM ADISTRA. *TW

Bulletin 97215 · Jan 1997

UNKNOWN

Bulletin BC2893950401 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Power Train · Apr 1995

THERE MAY BE A CONCERN OF POOR PERFORMANCE, COOLANT IN THE OIL AND ENGINE KNOCKING AND/OR HYDRAULIC LOCK ON SOME VEHICLES. *TW

Bulletin 95524 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 1995

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the E350. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 4

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1987 Ford e350. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Structure

THE AIR DEFLECTOR MAY BE INADEQUATELY BONDED TO THE TRUCK BODY AND MAY SEPARATE AT HIGH SPEED. A DETACHED DEFLECTOR COULD BE HAZARDOUS TO OTHER VEHICLES. CORRECTION: AIR DEFLECTORS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR SIGNS OF SEPARATION. IF SIGNS OF SEPARATION ARE FOUND, THE DEFLECTOR WILL BE REFASTENED USING RIVETS.

Transport Canada #1991125 · Sep 1991

Heater And Defroster

EXTREME OPERATING CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEATER HOSES OR ENGINE BYPASS HOSES. ENGINE COOLANT COULD DISCHARGE ONTO THE ENGINE AND ITS EXHAUST MANIFOLD CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE DUE TO HIGH ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TEMPERATURES. CORRECTION: HOSES AND RADIATOR CAPS WILL BE REPLACED AND ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, A HIGH HEAT RESIST…

Transport Canada #1988140 · Oct 1988

Structure

1983-87 E-250 AND 350 WITH 7.5 LITRE AND 1985-87 HEAVY DUTY E-250 AND 350 WITH 5.8 LITRE 4V ENGINE AND A GVW OVER 8,500 LBS. THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO GENERATE EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES IN SEVERE DUTY APPLICATIONS, PARTICULARLY IF FUELED WITH OVERLY VOLATILE GASOLINE. THIS CAN CREATE AN ABNORMAL POTENTIAL FOR EXPULSION OF LIQUID FUE…

Transport Canada #1987105 · Oct 1987

Fuel System

ON AMBULANCES EQUIPPED WITH 7.5 LITRE ENGINES,VARIOUS FACTORS MAY CAUSE EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY TEMPERATURES OR FUEL SYSTEM OVERPRESSURIZATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKS OR EXPULSION OF FUEL FROM THE FILLER PIPES WHEN THE FILLER CAPS ARE REMOVED. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE A VEHICLE FIRE OR INJURIES COULD RESULT. CORRECTION: THE FUEL VENTING AND EMISSION CONTROL SY…

Transport Canada #1987094 · Aug 1987

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

1987 Ford e350 trims & engines on record

Engines

5.8L 8-cyl 210 hp

1987 Ford e350 vehicles on record

1987 Ford e3501FDKE37H9HHA12616

Other Ford e350 model years

2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 1998 1997 1995 1994 1993

1987 Ford e350 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1987 Ford e350 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 1987 Ford e350. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1987 Ford e350?

Across all 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are structure, engine and engine cooling, service brakes.

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.