The 1983 Ford E350 has 3 recalls, with all three carrying fire risk: fuel system vulnerabilities and deteriorating heater hoses can each create conditions where the vehicle catches fire.
Two recalls center on fuel. Certain vans and Club Wagons do not meet federal fuel system integrity standards, leaving the fuel system vulnerable to leaks. On ambulance variants equipped with the 7.5-litre engine, high underbody temperatures or fuel system overpressurization can cause fuel to leak or spray from the filler pipe when the cap is removed, and either situation can ignite if a spark or flame is nearby. The third recall involves the engine compartment heater hoses and engine bypass hoses, which can deteriorate prematurely under demanding operating conditions and split or crack, releasing coolant directly onto the engine and exhaust manifold where the heat is sufficient to start a fire.