1992 Ford E-350: common problems

Owners of the 1992 Ford E-350 filed 41 complaints with NHTSA, most often about vehicle speed control and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 41

What fails most often

1 Vehicle speed control 24% of all complaints
2 Service brakes 15% of all complaints
3 Tires 12% of all complaints
4 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
5 Engine and cooling 10% of all complaints
6 Fuel system 10% of all complaints
7 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
8 Suspension 10% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Vehicle speed control: 10 complaints (24% of all).
Service brakes: 6 complaints (15% of all).
Tires: 5 complaints (12% of all).
Electrical system: 4 complaints (10% of all).
Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (10% of all).

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 41 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

smoke, burning smell, fire6 · 15%
A/C or heater3 · 7%
stalls while driving3 · 7%
fuel system, fuel smell2 · 5%
rust, corrosion2 · 5%
transmission slipping2 · 5%
engine failure or replacement1 · 2%
unintended acceleration1 · 2%
vibration1 · 2%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Vehicle speed control	10	0	0
Service brakes	6	0	0
Tires	5	0	0
Electrical system	4	0	0
Engine and cooling	4	0	0
Fuel system	4	0	0
Powertrain	4	0	0
Suspension	4	0	0
Visibility	3	0	0
Parking brake	1	0	0
Structure	1	0	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

Purchased a 9000 lb. Motorhome equipped with new "autoguard" lt 225-75r16 tires installed in 2016. While driving the interstate in idaho,noticed a rough ride, attributed to to the fact that they were paving the highway requiring frequent stops.
Tires · 2017-10-06 · NHTSA complaint #11031987
My recall notice states the vehicle can catch fire sitting in my driveway or driving. I have called several dealers in my area and was told ford motor co. Will not supply the dealers with part # 05s28.
Vehicle speed control · 2008-04-04 · NHTSA complaint #10223411
Tl contact owns a 1992 ford e350 motorized cutaway. The contact received a ford recall notice for the vehicle speed control: cruise control in august of 2007. He immediately scheduled an appointment to have the vehicle repaired.
Vehicle speed control · 2008-03-07 · NHTSA complaint #10220392
I awoke to a smell and saw flames shooting over the windshield, coming from the engine. Luckily I was able to get out of the vehicle, which burned completely in minutes. The local fire department responded. I contacted ford and I am now waiting for a written response.
Vehicle speed control · 2005-10-20 · NHTSA complaint #10140335
While running on freeways with hot temp, my motorhome with 92 ford e-350 engine stops. This happens in several occasions. The 1st time it happened, the computer box was replaced in montiplier, idaho in 96 but the problem still exist. I cannot run the engine in a prolong period of time during summer because it dies.
Service brakes · 2005-08-25 · NHTSA complaint #10134198
Vehicle has an oil smoking condition that two mechanics stated could not be repaired. Owner was going to take van to a ford dealership. Please describe details.
Engine and cooling · 2002-09-11 · NHTSA complaint #8018416
Jaco, motorhome class c. While traveling at 15 mph trailor collapsed onto wheels of truck. Consumer was forced to an immediate stop, and could smell rubber burning. Took vehicle to dealer, and they stated leaf springs were taken off. Please provide any further information.
Suspension · 2002-07-16 · NHTSA complaint #8013980
Michelin roadhandler sport left rear tire, isze p185/70r13, dot hhfmwkp07, had tread separation and a bubble, tire only had 18000 miles on it.
Tires · 2001-02-05 · NHTSA complaint #879799

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

19952
19969
19971
19982
19993
200010
20013
20022
20052
20071
20085
20171

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 5,891 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 16% most complained about).

On average one model year of the E-350 has 27 complaints (44 years in the data). This year has 41, above average.

What to check before buying

Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.

Other years of this model

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 1992 Ford E-350?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: vehicle speed control, service brakes, tires. Total complaints: 41. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (15%), A/C or heater (7%), stalls while driving (7%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1992 Ford E-350?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 1992 Ford E-350 from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 1992 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.