Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1983 E-250 Econoline.
The 1983 Ford E-250 Econoline is a Ford van platform whose engine maintenance calls for 5.0 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, reflecting a straightforward but substantial service requirement characteristic of this model year. Its reliability record shows only two total owner complaints — a notably low figure — yet six recalls were issued, with the Structure category standing as the top complaint area, indicating that body and frame concerns rather than powertrain problems defined this vehicle's trouble spots. Within the Econoline's broader reliability history, the 1983 model year sits as a mechanically quiet but structurally flagged entry, meaning researchers should expect a vehicle whose drivetrain drew little owner ire but whose structural recalls warrant careful attention.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
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.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 5.5 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 5W-30 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.0 qt |
| Engine Oil | 5W-30 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.0 qt |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | Front A/C only, 3.25; front and rear A/C, 4.00. lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 68 |
| Oil Capacity | Front A/C only, 9.00; front and rear A/C, 10.00. oz |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 1983 Ford E-250 Econoline dominate in one area — the structure, 1 of 2 reports (50%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 6 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 0 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.
All 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
WATER SEPARATOR CANISTER MAY BE PUNCTURED IN A COLLISION. CRASH TESTS IN A 30 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION REVEALED FUEL LEAKAGE EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM PERMITTED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM… Remedy: A PROTECTIVE SHIELD FOR THE CANISTER WILL BE INSTALLED WITHOUT CHARGE.
SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE A DIODE IN THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP CIRCUIT THAT MAY SHORT DURING ENGINE STARTING DUE TO INADEQUATE CAPACITY TO WITHSTAND CURRENT DRAW. A SHORT CIRCUIT WOULD RESULT IN NORMAL… Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE ELEMENT IN THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP CIRCUIT WITH A NEW RELAY FEED WIRING ASSEMBLY WHICH CONTAINS A LARGER CAPACITY DIODE, FREE OF CHARGE.
Showing 5 of 9 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 985A29 | 1998-03-18 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, IRREGULAR FRONT LINING WEAR, AND… |
| 98030298420 | 1998-03-02 | Engine And Engine Cooling | A NO START OR HARD START CONDITION MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES DUE TO THE GLOW PLUG… |
| 97511 | 1997-03-03 | Power Train | FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD |
| 9747 | 1997-02-17 | Structure | FRAME- RIVET REPLACEMENT WITH BOLTS- SERVICE TIPS. *JD |
| 97310 | 1997-02-03 | Suspension | NOISE- "POPPING/CREAKING"- FRONT FRAME OR SUSPENSION BRACKETS- FRAME- "POPPING/CREAKING"… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
5.0 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.