RoadVitals

1992 Ford E-150

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
64
Latest Jul 30, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Oct 13, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
14
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 64 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Ford E-150, most frequently naming the engine, driver assistance and brakes categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09V399000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Oct 13, 2009
4,500,000 units potentially affected
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
The risk: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
The remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 09S09View on NHTSA.gov
08V051000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

Feb 4, 2008
225,000 units potentially affected
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
The risk: AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 08S01View on NHTSA.gov
07V336000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Aug 3, 2007
3,600,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 05S28View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE96072ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

Opened Dec 5, 1996
Closed Apr 29, 1997

There is no summary currently available

STEERING
EA93020ClosedEngineering Analysis

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

Opened Jul 28, 1993
Closed Sep 23, 1994

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICLed to recall 94V169001
PE93015ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

Opened Mar 9, 1993
Closed Jul 27, 1993

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 64
Airbags
Filed Jul 30, 2017

THIS 1992 FORD ECONOLINE VAN DISPLAYS A DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE MAIN INSTRUMENT PANEL.

NHTSA ID
11011540
Incident
Aug 20, 2016
Mileage
96,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Oct 16, 2011

I WAS TRAVELING HOME TO CAMDEN, TN FROM WEST FRANKFORT, IL WITH MY CHILDREN ON HWY 69. CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED. WHEN ENTERING A LOWER SPEED ZONE, I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE, BUT AFTER ATTEMPTING TO SLOW THE VEHICLE, UPON RELEASING THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD INCREASE IN SPEED AGAIN AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN HIGH. I KNEW THERE WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WHEN I WAS GOING UPHILL AND THE VEHICLE WAS INCREASING IN SPEED RELATIVELY QUICKLY. I PRESSED HARD ON THE BRAKES, BUT THE BRAKES WERE VERY HARD TO PRESS. I KNEW WE WERE IN TROUBLE AT THIS POINT BECAUSE I HAD JUST REPLACED ALL FOUR BRAKES THE WEEK BEFORE, SO I KNEW THE BRAKES WERE FINE. I SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SHOULDER IN FRONT OF A BP GAS STATION IN MURRAY, KY. I TURNED OFF THE CAR, WAITED ABOUT ONE MINUTE AND STARTED IT AGAIN, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HIGH, AS THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. A FRIEND CAME TO HELP ME AND WE MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE RUNNING AGAIN AND I TRAVELED HOME THE NEXT DAY. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN ON 10/14/2011. I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK WITH A CO-WORKER AND I PUT THE VEHICLE INTO CRUISE (FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SEPTEMBER INCIDENT). SUDDENLY, UPON TRYING TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE VEHICLE BRAKES BECAME VERY HARD TO PRESS, THE ENGINE RAN HIGH, AND THE SPEED BEGAN TO INCREASE. I IMMEDIATELY KNEW THAT THE SAME THING WAS HAPPENING AS BEFORE, SO I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED FOR A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER (NO GOOD SHOULDERS ON A WINDY COUNTRY ROAD), PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, STOPPED AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON, IT WAS RUNNING HIGH STILL. I TURNED IT OFF, SHOOK THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VIGOROUSLY AND THE VEHICLE RAN LIKE NORMAL. I HAVE NOT USED THE CRUISE CONTROL SINCE AND HAVE REMAINED WITHOUT INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10430375
Incident
Sep 25, 2011
Engine
Filed Jan 11, 2010
Fire reported

AS I WAS WATCHING TV IN MY HOUSE WITH MY SON. I NOTICED SOME YELLOW FLICKERING LIGHTS THROUGH MY WINDOW SHADES. I THOUGHT THERE WAS A TOW TRUCK OUT FRONT. I OPENED THE SHADE AND IT WAS MY VAN ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10299075
Incident
Jan 11, 2010
Mileage
112,000 mi
Driver assistanceExterior lighting
Filed May 4, 2009
Fire reported

BRAKE LIGHTS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WENT OUT. MECHANIC FOUND BURNT OUT SWITCH IN STEERING COLUMN FOR HAZARD LIGHT. SYSTEM. REPLACED. (FRIDAY MAY 1, 09) SATURDAY AFTERNOON 5-02-09 VAN SITTING IN DRIVE, HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE PRIOR DAY, A BURST OF SMOKE AND SOME FLAMES CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THEN IT STOPPED. CALLED DEALER FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING 5-04 TO SEE IF COULD BRING IN FOR RECALLED WIRING HARNESS AND CC SWITCH TO BE REPLACED. WHEN GOT THERE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT ON DASH ALSO CAME ON. DEALER SUPPOSEDLY HAS REPLACED THE DEFECTED PARTS AND LIGHTS ON DASH WENT OUT. ( MAY 4, 09.) I HAD CONTACTED THE DEALER REPEATEDLY IN THE PAST FEW YEARS ABOUT THIS RECALL AND WAS PUT OFF EACH TIME WITH NO PARTS, TOO BUSY, WHEN ASKED IF THEY COULD SIMPLY DISCONNECT THE UNIT, I WAS TOLD NO. NOT UNTIL I HAD A FIRE DID THEY OFFER TO GET HER IN AND REPLACE THE PARTS. AND THEN THEY SAID THEY MAY NOT REPLACE BOTH, ONLY THE HARNESS, WHICH I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT IN THE RECALL. ONLY THE SWITCH. 1992 FORD E150 ECONOLINE VAN THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME THE OLD PARTS SAID THEY HAD TO SEND BACK TO THE COMPANY. I HOPE THIS SOLVES THE PROBLEM I DO NOT KNOW YET BUT THEY REFUSE TO HANDLE ANYTHING ELSE ONLY THE RECALLED ITEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10267708
Incident
May 2, 2009
Mileage
127,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 23, 2008
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1992 FORD E150. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, BUT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BEFORE THEY ARRIVED. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED BETWEEN THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE CONTACT RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY 5-6 RECALL NOTICES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10232072
Incident
Nov 3, 2006
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 28, 2008
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING MY 1992 E-150 ECONOLINE FORD, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM VEHICLE AIR VENTS AND UNDER DASH BOARD. I PULLED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. WITH THE HELP AND USE OF PASSING VEHICLE THAT STOPPED AND LET ME USE HIS CELL PHONE TO CALL THE FIRE DEPT, BY THIS TIME MY VEHICLE TOTALLY ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10219562
Incident
Feb 27, 2007
Mileage
107 mi
ElectricalTransmission
Filed Feb 26, 2008
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD E150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS CAUSED A FIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED. THE FORD DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH, BUT FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE WIRES WERE FAULTY. THEY STATED THAT THE SWITCH WAS ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE FIRE BEGAN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE; THEREFORE, THE SWITCH WAS UNRELATED TO THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAULTY SWITCH THAT REACHED OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE WIRES EVENTUALLY LED TO THE FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE IF GIVEN PERMISSION BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY HUNG UP ON HIM. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,000. UPDATED 3/18/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THEIR MECHANIC OBTAINED THE DAMAGE WIRES AND REMOVED TO AVOID FURTHER DAMAGE. THE CONSUMER FURTHER STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD ALREADY FAILED AND COULD ONLY BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. UPDATED 03/18/08 *TR

NHTSA ID
10219187
Incident
Jan 7, 2007
Mileage
100,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 15, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD E150. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR FORD RECALL NUMBER 05S28, WHICH RELATED TO THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR ARE UNAVAILABLE. THE SPEED CONTROL HAS NOT BEEN DISCONNECTED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

NHTSA ID
10214923
Incident
Aug 26, 2007

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

BC0678961025

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON AODE/4R7W TRANSMISSION MAIN CONTROL & CASE REPLACEMENT. *TT

BC4321950705

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

VEHICLES EXPERIENCING OCCASIONAL HARSH REVERSE ENGAGEMENT CONCERNS. *TW

951113

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DELAYED FORWARD ENGAGEMENT AND/OR HEAT STAINED FORWARD CLUTCH PLATES AFTER INSTALLING CENTER SUPPORT SERVICE. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford E-150 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023010—
2022000—
2021100—
2020000—
2019000—
2018000—
2016810—
2015810—
2014660—
2013196046.3
2012128052.9
20112313045.9
2010109054.4
20097140—
20081118049.0
20071219041.6
20061716046.5
2005164050.1
2004337153.8
2003216159.5
2002283155.1
2001374150.7
2000506153.5
1999836158.0
1998605155.7
19971026155.3
1996593161.3
1995713259.2
19941217260.5
1993714158.3
1992Viewing644364.9
1991151454.2
1990173455.5
1989312361.7
1988140248.7
1987170152.7
1986904—
1985304—
1984324—
1983111—
1982321—
1981111—
1980031—
1979051—
1978041—
1976210—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.