FordE-350 Econoline1987Overview/ford/e-350-econoline/1987/base/

1987 Ford E-350 Econoline

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1987 E-350 Econoline.

The 1987 Ford E-350 Econoline is identified by a simple service specification—5.0 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil—and a reliability record that researchers should weigh carefully. This model year generated 14 owner complaints and 8 recalls, with Structure emerging as the top complaint area. That mix of documented structural concerns and recall activity makes the 1987 E-350 a notable reference point within the model's reliability history for anyone studying how these vehicles held up over time.

Model year198719831982198119801979197819771976

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length226.8 in
Overall width79.9 in
Overall height84.3 in
Wheelbase138.2 in
Curb weight5375 lb

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil15W-40 · API

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityFront A/C only, 3.25; front and rear A/C, 4.00. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type68
Oil CapacityFront A/C only, 9.00; front and rear A/C, 10.00. oz

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 15,000 mi.

At 5,000 miThrottle Plate (inspect) · Throttle Return Spring (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) · Vacuum Modulator (inspect)
Every 5,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter Water Separator (inspect) · Shift Linkage (lubricate)
At 7,500 miAir Cleaner Manifold Heat Control Actuator (inspect)
Every 10,000 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Throttle Plate (inspect) · Throttle Return Spring (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Cleaner Manifold Heat Control Actuator (inspect) · Air Intake System (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miPCV Valve (replace)
Every 60,000 miAir Injection System (inspect) · Carburetor Dashpot (inspect) · EGR Valve (replace) · EGR Valve Position Sensor (replace) · Idle Air Bypass Solenoid (inspect) · Oxygen Sensor (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 1987 Ford E-350 Econoline lead in one area — the structure, 4 of 14 reports (29%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 8 recall campaigns target the structure, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 4 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the structure pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

8
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
5
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
53
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
14
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 4 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 14 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Structure4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Engine & Engine Cooling2
Electrical System2
Engine & Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Other1
Tires1
Fuel System, Gasoline1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

89V075000Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater CoreReported 09/05/1989

HEATER HOSE MAY BE INCORRECTLY ROUTED. Remedy: REROUTE AND SPLICE HOSE AS NECESSARY.

89V150000Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater CoreReported 01/10/1989

HEATER HOSE MAY BE INCORRECTLY ROUTED. Remedy: REROUTE HOSE AS NECESSARY.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 5 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
985A381998-03-18Service Brakes, HydraulicFRONT CALIPER PISTON BOOTS DAMAGED. *YC
985A291998-03-18Service Brakes, HydraulicSOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, IRREGULAR FRONT LINING WEAR, AND…
972151997-01-20Unknown Or OtherDIAGNOSTIC GUIDES FOR OUT-OF-WARRANTY VEHICLES TO BE USED AS A MASTER COPY - DIAGNOSTIC…
BC28939504011995-04-01Engine And Engine CoolingUNKNOWN
955241995-03-01Engine And Engine CoolingTHERE MAY BE A CONCERN OF POOR PERFORMANCE, COOLANT IN THE OIL AND ENGINE KNOCKING AND/OR…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific E-350 Econoline. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1987 E-350 Econoline take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1987 E-350 Econoline have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.