1987 Ford Econoline 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 1987 Ford Econoline, 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
- Brakes529.4%
- Fuel system317.6%
- Electrical211.8%
- Driver assistance211.8%
- Powertrain (other)15.9%
- Steering15.9%
- Visibility15.9%
- Interior & seats15.9%
- Engine15.9%
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
PROBLEMS WITH HEATING SYSTEM, STEERING, AND PARKING BRAKE. *MR *SCC *JB
BRAKES FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. YH
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
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IGNITION WAS ON., DRIVER NOTICED THAT VEHICLE HAD ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE INSPECTOR SAID THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS A FAULTY SLIP ON FUEL LINE . THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
A MALFUNCTION IN THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE , CAUSING FUEL IN THE FRONT TANK TO FLOW TO BACK TANK, RESULTING IN FUEL SPILLAGE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
IGNITION PROBLEM CAUSED AN OVERFLOW OF FUEL INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, ALLOWING VIOLENT GAS EXPLOSIONS (BACKFIRE) WHICH SPLIT THE MUFFLER AT SEAM. *AK
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO CATCH ON FIRE WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MECHANISM FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. **JB
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AFTER THE SPEED CONTROL WAS DEACTIVATED. DRIVER PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, AND SHUT ENGINE OFF TO STOP VEHICLE . BUT ENGINE RACED SO HARD THE THROTTLE CABLE BLEW. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. *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
WHILE DRIVING THE VAN ABOUT 35 MPH THE VAN STARTED SHAKING AND MAKING A VERY STRANGE NOISE AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. WHEN TAKING TO MECHANIC, MECHANIC STATED THAT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE DRIVESHAFT BEING ALUMINUM. THE DRIVESHAFT WAS REPLACED WITH A IRON DRIVESHAFT. *AK
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
PROBLEMS WITH HEATING SYSTEM, STEERING, AND PARKING BRAKE. *MR *SCC *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
PROBLEMS WITH HEATING SYSTEM, STEERING, AND PARKING BRAKE. *MR *SCC *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
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEAT SEPARATED FROM TRACKS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BASE OF THE ENGINE, WHICH HELD THE COMPONENT IN PLACE. *TT *SCC *JB
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 .