Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Structure. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2000
Structure
WE HAVE HAD THIS VAN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. IT IS NOT USED MUCH NOW. THE PROBLEM IS THE WHEELS DO NOT TRACK. THE FRONT WHEELS ARE OFFSET TO THE LEFT, WHEN LOOKING FORWARD. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ON MANY OTHER FORD E TYPE VANS AND F TYPE PICKUP TRUCKS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE BODY OF THESE AFFECTED VEHICLES SEEMS TO BE CANTED, NOT GOING …
Read full complaint
WE HAVE HAD THIS VAN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. IT IS NOT USED MUCH NOW. THE PROBLEM IS THE WHEELS DO NOT TRACK. THE FRONT WHEELS ARE OFFSET TO THE LEFT, WHEN LOOKING FORWARD. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ON MANY OTHER FORD E TYPE VANS AND F TYPE PICKUP TRUCKS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE BODY OF THESE AFFECTED VEHICLES SEEMS TO BE CANTED, NOT GOING STRAIGHT DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IT WOULD SEEM THAT THIS WOULD PUT LATERAL FORCES ON THE TIRES, ETC. CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR AND OTHER PROBLEMS. I AM NOT LOOKING FOR MFGR. SUPPORT AND ONLY SENDING THIS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES BASED ON CURRENT TIRE PROBLEMS WITH FORD VEHICLES. *AK
THE SHIFT SELECTOR REACTION SPRINGS MAY BE DEFORMED AS A RESULT OF IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF SELECTOR LEVERS DURING COLUMN BUILDUP. THUS THE LEVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BE MOVED INTO THE INSERT DETENTS LOCATED IN THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. THIS COULD PREVENT THE "PARK" GEAR FROM BEING ENGAGED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SHIFT SELECTOR REACTION SPRING WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR AT THE THREADED CARBURETOR-TO-FUEL FILTER CONNECTION ON THE SUSPECT CARBURETORS. THIS IS DUE TO AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED CARBURETOR FUEL INLET CONNECTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE CARBURETOR WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE PARK ACTUATION SUPPORT PLATES ARE DEFECTIVE DUE TO THEIR SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CRACKING DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT DURING MANUFACTURE. AS A RESULT, FRAGMENTS FROM A BROKEN PLATE CAN BECOME LODGED IN THE TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL MECHANISM. THIS COULD PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL FROM ENGAGING WHEN THE SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION, OR PREVENT THE PAWL FROM BEING DISENGAGED FROM THE PARK GEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PARK ACTUATION CAM SUPPORT PLATES, FREE OF CHARGE, ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE STEERING TIE ROD AND LINK ASSEMBLIES WITH ADJUSTING SLEEVE CLAMPS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THE CLAMPS CONTAIN A SHARP DIE MARK WHICH COULD CAUSE THE CLAMP TO FRACTURE WHEN THE CLAMP BOLT IS TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE CLAMP COULD BREAK AND CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE TIE ROD ADJUSTING SLEEVES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE STEERING TIE ROD ADJUSTING SLEEVE AND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE, ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE DEFECTIVE CARBURETORS IN WHICH, UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SECONDARY THROTTLE PLATES MAY STICK OPEN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CARBURETOR AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
EA87002 · Filler Neck Spurt
Opened Nov 4, 1986 · Closed Apr 29, 1987
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:FORD HAS SUPPLIED INFORMATION REQUESTED CONCERNING VEHICLE POPULATIONAND THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.ANALYSIS:THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE ONE OF EXCESSIVE HEAT COLLECTING UNDER THEVEHICLES, USUALLY WHILE STATIONARY WITH THE ENGINE IDLING.THIS HEATCAUSES THE FUEL TO VAPORIZE IN THE FUEL TANK AND DEVELOP PRESSURES INEXCESS OF WHAT THE VENT SYSTEM CAN HANDLE.STATUS:IR TO FORD SENT ON 2/20/87. MEETING WITH FORD AND FINAL STAGE MANUFACTUR-ERS HELD ON MARCH 11 & 12, 1987. ADDITIONAL MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1987.ALSO ON APRIL I, 1987.FORD ANNOUNCED SERVICE CAMPAIGN, NO SAFETY RECALL.RECALL REQUEST LETTER SENT ON 4/7/87. FORD DID NOT AGREE TO A SAFETYRECALL, CONSEQUENTLY A PANEL MEETING WAS HELD ON 4/29/87 AND INVESTIGATIVECASE C87-003 WAS OPENED.THIS EA WAS CLOSED AS A RESULT OF THE CASE OPEN-ING ON 4/27/87.===
1978 Ford E250 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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