1996 Ford E-150 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Ford E-150, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes1418.7%
- Engine1114.7%
- Electrical810.7%
- Driver assistance68.0%
- Tires & wheels56.7%
- Fuel system56.7%
- Suspension56.7%
- Interior & seats45.3%
- Body & structure45.3%
- Steering45.3%
- Airbags22.7%
- Heating & air conditioning22.7%
- Seat belts22.7%
- Powertrain (other)11.3%
- Other / unspecified11.3%
- Transmission11.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY VEHICLE ACCORDING THE NHTSA HAS RECALL #09V399000 FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM SPEED CONTROL WHICH CAN CATCH ON FIRE EVEN IN THE GARAGE WITH THE VEHICLE OFF. I ASKED FORD TO REPAIR THIS BECAUSE I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AND THEY CLAIM THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE, AND I KNOW THERE IS AND I KNOW THE RECALL HASN'T BEEN INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE. ARE THEY SAYING THIS BECAUSE TIME RAN OUT TO HAVE THIS DONE BECAUSE I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE OR DO THEY JUST NOT WANT TO? THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *JS
VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND UPON ENTERING NOTICED THE SMELL OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. STARTED THE VEHICLE, ODOMETER WAS INOPERABLE AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, FOUND A BLOWN 15 AMP FUSE IN THE FUSE PANEL. REPLACED FUSE, ODOMETER CAME BACK ON AND VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS LATER, THE SMELL OF BURNING WIRING WAS EVIDENT, AS WAS SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PULLED THE FUSE BACK OUT, OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH ON FIRE, WHICH MELTED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR AS WELL AS THE BATTERY CASING ALSO. *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD E-150. WHENEVER THE CONTACT STARTS THE ENGINE AND DEPRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE ENGINE BECOMES STUCK AT A HIGH RPM AND WILL NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO EITHER SURGE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS DEPENDING ON WHAT GEAR IT IS IN AT THE TIME. THE ENGINE HAS TO BE TURNED OFF IN ORDER TO RESTORE THE VEHICLE TO A PROPER SPEED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES DO NOT HOLD OR STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN THEY ARE ENGAGED. THE FIRST TIME THIS FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AT 10 MPH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES; HOWEVER, THE REAR WINDOW WAS DAMAGED. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS DEFECT ON THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP TWICE. DURING THE FIRST VISIT, THE MECHANIC CLEANED OUT THE ENGINE, ENGINE THROTTLE, AND CABLES. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED FOR TWO MONTHS BEFORE IT RECURRED AGAIN. DURING THE SECOND VISIT, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP AND THE MECHANIC CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING WAS LUBRICATED PROPERLY. THE SHOP DID NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE FAILURE WOULD NOT RECUR. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
1996 FORD E-150 SERPENTINE BELT, AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, IGNITION MODULE REPLACED, ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, TIE RODS REPLACED, FUEL PUMP REPLACED. *KB
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY VEHICLE ACCORDING THE NHTSA HAS RECALL #09V399000 FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM SPEED CONTROL WHICH CAN CATCH ON FIRE EVEN IN THE GARAGE WITH THE VEHICLE OFF. I ASKED FORD TO REPAIR THIS BECAUSE I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AND THEY CLAIM THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE, AND I KNOW THERE IS AND I KNOW THE RECALL HASN'T BEEN INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE. ARE THEY SAYING THIS BECAUSE TIME RAN OUT TO HAVE THIS DONE BECAUSE I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE OR DO THEY JUST NOT WANT TO? THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *JS
VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND UPON ENTERING NOTICED THE SMELL OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. STARTED THE VEHICLE, ODOMETER WAS INOPERABLE AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, FOUND A BLOWN 15 AMP FUSE IN THE FUSE PANEL. REPLACED FUSE, ODOMETER CAME BACK ON AND VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS LATER, THE SMELL OF BURNING WIRING WAS EVIDENT, AS WAS SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PULLED THE FUSE BACK OUT, OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH ON FIRE, WHICH MELTED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR AS WELL AS THE BATTERY CASING ALSO. *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY VEHICLE ACCORDING THE NHTSA HAS RECALL #09V399000 FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM SPEED CONTROL WHICH CAN CATCH ON FIRE EVEN IN THE GARAGE WITH THE VEHICLE OFF. I ASKED FORD TO REPAIR THIS BECAUSE I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AND THEY CLAIM THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE, AND I KNOW THERE IS AND I KNOW THE RECALL HASN'T BEEN INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE. ARE THEY SAYING THIS BECAUSE TIME RAN OUT TO HAVE THIS DONE BECAUSE I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE OR DO THEY JUST NOT WANT TO? THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *JS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD E-150. WHENEVER THE CONTACT STARTS THE ENGINE AND DEPRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE ENGINE BECOMES STUCK AT A HIGH RPM AND WILL NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO EITHER SURGE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS DEPENDING ON WHAT GEAR IT IS IN AT THE TIME. THE ENGINE HAS TO BE TURNED OFF IN ORDER TO RESTORE THE VEHICLE TO A PROPER SPEED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES DO NOT HOLD OR STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN THEY ARE ENGAGED. THE FIRST TIME THIS FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AT 10 MPH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES; HOWEVER, THE REAR WINDOW WAS DAMAGED. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS DEFECT ON THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP TWICE. DURING THE FIRST VISIT, THE MECHANIC CLEANED OUT THE ENGINE, ENGINE THROTTLE, AND CABLES. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED FOR TWO MONTHS BEFORE IT RECURRED AGAIN. DURING THE SECOND VISIT, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP AND THE MECHANIC CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING WAS LUBRICATED PROPERLY. THE SHOP DID NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE FAILURE WOULD NOT RECUR. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. *AK TIRES WERE BROUGHT BRAND NEW AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH 30,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE FIRST TIRE THAT FAILED. CONSUMER DID HAVE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE TIRES. *PH *JB
TIRE HAD BIG LUMP ON SIDEWALL*AK (DOT NUMBER: 8XHLIPY TIRESIZE: 23575R15)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
1996 FORD E-150 SERPENTINE BELT, AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, IGNITION MODULE REPLACED, ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, TIE RODS REPLACED, FUEL PUMP REPLACED. *KB
FUEL FILLER RUBBER TUBE HAS A RUPTURE WHICH LEAKS AROUND THE NOZZLE ONTO THE GROUND AND HOT EXHAUST. DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD OWNER THAT PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK-ORDER. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
BROKEN FRONT SPRING ON 1996 ECONOLINE VAN APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION ISSUE. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AND STATES THAT BROKEN SPRING MAY OR MAY NOT COME LOSE AND RESULT IN A SAFETY HAZARD. *NM
THE REAR LEAF SPRING FAILED. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HEAD LIGHTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DASH. *JB
DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK HAS BROKEN ON TWO OCCASIONS AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
A CHROME COLOR GRILLE ABOUT 2.5 FEET WIDE AND 6" TALL FLEW OFF THE FRONT OF OUR 1996 F150 FORD VAN WHILE WE WERE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I NOTICED OTHER SIMILAR FORD VANS THAT HAVE ALSO LOST THE SAME FRONT GRILL PART. WE WERE GOING 55 MPH DOWN A 2 LANE HIGHWAY AND A LARGE TRUCK WAS GOING THE OTHER WAY. THE GUST OF AIR FROM THE PASSING TRUCK WAS SUFFICIENT TO TEAR OFF THE GRILL PART AND CAUSE IT TO FLY OVER THE TOP OF OUR VAN. *TR
THE BODY MOUNT BUSHINGS ON MY FORD E150 ECONOLINE VAN HAVE FAILED AND THE FORD MANUFACTURER DOESN'T THINK IT IS THEIR PROBLEM. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION IT IS A MATERIAL DEFECT. I HAVE CHECKED WITH A FEW BODY REPAIR SHOPS IN MY AREA AND THEY HAVE HAD ONLY 1 CASE OF HAVING TO REPLACE THIS TYPE OF PART. I CAN NOT GET ANYONE TO QUOTE ME A PRICE OF HOW MUCH IT WILL COST TO REPAIR THIS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
1996 FORD E-150 SERPENTINE BELT, AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, IGNITION MODULE REPLACED, ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, TIE RODS REPLACED, FUEL PUMP REPLACED. *KB
1996 FORD F-150 2WD MILEAGE 112,500 (WELL MAINTAINED) OSS OF STEERING RESULTING FROM SOMETHING INSIDE STEERING BOX DISENGAGING. CAUSING NO CONTROL FROM OPERATOR OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE PULLED TO RIGHT AND HIT PARKED CAR, ONCE PASS PARKED CAR VEHECLE CONTINUED TO PULL TO RIGHT, OVER THE LAWN AND HITTING ANOTHER PARKED CAR IN DRIVWAY BEFORECOMING TO A STOP NTIRE INCIDENT TOOK 3 SECONDS. I WAS ON I SIDE STREET CLOSE TO HOME DOING ABOUT 30-35 MPH, HAD IT BEEN A HIGHWAY, PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. LSO AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHY! PLEASE SEE IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS!*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
1996 FORD F-150 2WD MILEAGE 112,500 (WELL MAINTAINED) OSS OF STEERING RESULTING FROM SOMETHING INSIDE STEERING BOX DISENGAGING. CAUSING NO CONTROL FROM OPERATOR OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE PULLED TO RIGHT AND HIT PARKED CAR, ONCE PASS PARKED CAR VEHECLE CONTINUED TO PULL TO RIGHT, OVER THE LAWN AND HITTING ANOTHER PARKED CAR IN DRIVWAY BEFORECOMING TO A STOP NTIRE INCIDENT TOOK 3 SECONDS. I WAS ON I SIDE STREET CLOSE TO HOME DOING ABOUT 30-35 MPH, HAD IT BEEN A HIGHWAY, PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. LSO AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHY! PLEASE SEE IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS!*AK
DRIVING AT APPROXIMATLY 70 MPH DOWN INTERSTATE ,CONSUMER WENT TO PUSH HORN NOTICED SMOKE WAS COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING INJURIES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
1996 FORD E-150 SERPENTINE BELT, AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, IGNITION MODULE REPLACED, ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, TIE RODS REPLACED, FUEL PUMP REPLACED. *KB
REAR AIR CONDITIONER VENTILLATION DOES NOT WORK, SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS HOWEVER CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE FAILURE. MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR BELT BUCKLE BROKE AND CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO USE IT WHILE DRIVING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BELTS ON THE CAPTAINS CHAIR WILL RELEASE IF ARM REST IS MOVED TO DOWN POSITION. *SCC
SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT STAY BUCKLED. DRIVER HAS TO REBUCKLE THE SEAT BELT A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE IT STAYS LATCHED. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. BUCKLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR MAIN SEAL REPLACED AT 110K, STARTED TO LEAK AGAIN AT 130K. DEALER WILL NOT WARRANTY. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER UNDER THE VEHICLE FAILED AND THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, LITTLE OR NO DAMAGE OCCURRED. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER) *MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR AIR CONDITIONER VENTILLATION DOES NOT WORK, SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS HOWEVER CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE FAILURE. MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .