RoadVitals

1994 Ford E-Series

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.
2
Latest Feb 17, 1998
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.
1
Latest May 28, 1996
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.
1
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Ford E-Series, most frequently naming the driver assistance, engine and powertrain (other) categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 34 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

  • Driver assistance250.0%
  • Engine125.0%
  • Powertrain (other)125.0%

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

1 campaign cover this model year

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
96I003000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

May 28, 1996
240,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE FRONT END ACCESSORY DRIVE (FEAD) SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT CAN DETACH FROM THE ENGINE PULLEYS DURING CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATIONS. THE DIESEL ENGINE CAN CAUSE THE BELTS TO STRETCH IN EXCESS OF THE TENSIONER CAPACITY AND THE BELT DETACHES FROM THE PULLEYS.
The risk: BELT FAILURES CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AND THE LOSS OF BRAKE ASSIST ONCE THE VACUUM RESERVOIR IS DEPLETED. ALSO FEAD BELT FAILURE POSES A RISK OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS IF IT RESULTS IN THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER HOSE RUPTURE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TENSIONER, DRIVE BELT, BELT GUIDE AND AN IMPROVED IDLER PULLEY.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 96B82/96B83View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE98038ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

POWER MIRROR CIRCUIT FIRES

Opened Jul 8, 1998
Closed Nov 20, 1998

alleged that a short circuit in the remote power mirror control switch causes a fire in the driver's door.

VISIBILITY

Recent owner complaints

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

Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Feb 17, 1998

ENGINE FAILED, REPLACED AND FAILED AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
530560
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 29, 1995

SPEEDOMETER AND CRUISE CONTROL DO NOT WORK. THE FORD COMPANY SAYS IT CAN NOT BE FIXED.TT AT 60 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCATES FROM 50 TOO 70 MPH AND ALSO THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK, CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP ON FOUR OCCASIONS AND CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE FIXED.*JB

NHTSA ID
975725
Incident
May 5, 1995

Manufacturer communications

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

18738

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

ABS LAMP ON WITH NO SCAN TOOL COMMUNICATION WITH THE 4WABS MODULE. *TT

11672

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

7.3L DIT TURBOCHARGER REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY. FORD SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE. *TT

17254

STEERING

CLICKING/POPPING NOISE FROM UPPER STEERING COLUMN AREA WHEN TURNING. 2004 E SERIES AND EXPLORER SPORT TRAC ALSO INCLUDED. *TT

03181

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT

03261

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NEW SERVICE PART - NUMBER 5 NEEDLE BEARING AND RACE KIT - 4R70W TRANSMISSION - SERVICE TIP. *TT

02176

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ

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-Series by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017000—
2016000—
2015000—
2014000—
2013000—
2012000—
2011000—
2010000—
2009000—
2008500—
2007020—
2006060—
2005106040.7
2004200—
2003521—
2002621—
2001622—
2000622—
1999412—
1998131138.0
1997161144.7
1996000—
1995101—
1994Viewing211—
1993301—
1992010—
1991000—
1990100—
1989100—
1988000—
1987100—
1986000—
1985000—
1984000—
1983000—
1982000—
1981000—
1980020—
1979010—
1978020—
1977010—
1973100—

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.