1991 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 1991 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
- Fuel system823.5%
- Brakes617.6%
- Engine514.7%
- Tires & wheels38.8%
- Transmission25.9%
- Other / unspecified25.9%
- Interior & seats25.9%
- Visibility12.9%
- Driver assistance12.9%
- Electrical12.9%
- Seat belts12.9%
- Steering12.9%
- Body & structure12.9%
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
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL COMING FROM THE GAS TANK ALONG WITH A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE ON THE GROUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 91V146000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILIARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 245,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE HAS A DUAL TANK. WHILE DRIVING ON THE BACK TANK, SHE SMELLED GAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE LEARNED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE GAS CAP ON THE FRONT TANK AND WAS MIXING WITH THE FUEL FROM THE REAR TANK. SHE SWITCHED TO THE FRONT FUEL TANK AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE CONTACT ONLY USES ONE TANK, BUT FUEL CONTINUES TO LEAK BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE TANKS. MECHANICS STATED THAT SHE NEEDED TO CHANGE THE SELECTOR VALVE. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 91V146000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILIARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES) WAS REFERENCED. THE PURCHASE DATE, SPEED, AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,867.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE FOLLOWING : TIRES (DIRECTIONAL/4 WAY), COURTESY LIGHTS, CRUISE CONTROL, STEERING (NOISE), BRAKES/REAR ANTI-LOCK, SEAT BELTS, SEATS (LOOSE), GAS LEAK, REAR DOOR(S) LEAK/DRIVER SIDE DOOR HINGE, DASH CRACKED, LOOSE RUNNING BOARD, FRONT FENDER (PASSENGER SIDE), ARM ON DRIVER SIDE SEAT IS BROKEN, WIPERS, AND THE IGNITION KEY IS STICKING IN THE START POSITION. (TIRES-COPPER DISCOVER) SCC
VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND BRAKES WORKING NORMALLY. ON RESTARTING VEHICLE THERE WAS TOTAL FAILURE OF BRAKING SYSTEM. DIAMOND RV FOUND A DISINTEGRATED CHECK VALVE WITH AN IRREGULAR ONE CM WHOLE IN THE VALVE AND SEVERAL CRACKS ELSEWHERE. HAD THIS OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED I DOUBT WE WOULD HAVE ESCAPED MAJOR INJURY.
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
NO SUMMARY.
OIL PAN IS PREMATURELY RUSTING AND CORRODING WHICH COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF OIL. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ENGINE FEEZE UP IF THE OIL WERE TO CONTINUE TO LEAK. *SLC
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
WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO CHANGE THE TIRE. COOPER SIZE#23575R15 PLEASE PROVIDE THE DOT NUMBER. *JB
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE FOLLOWING : TIRES (DIRECTIONAL/4 WAY), COURTESY LIGHTS, CRUISE CONTROL, STEERING (NOISE), BRAKES/REAR ANTI-LOCK, SEAT BELTS, SEATS (LOOSE), GAS LEAK, REAR DOOR(S) LEAK/DRIVER SIDE DOOR HINGE, DASH CRACKED, LOOSE RUNNING BOARD, FRONT FENDER (PASSENGER SIDE), ARM ON DRIVER SIDE SEAT IS BROKEN, WIPERS, AND THE IGNITION KEY IS STICKING IN THE START POSITION. (TIRES-COPPER DISCOVER) SCC
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
TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN LESS THEN 60,000 MILES. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REPAIRED TRANSMISSION ON TWO OCCASIONS, BUT REFUSED TO REPAIR ON THE THIRD UNLESS COST IS PICKED UP BY THE CONSUMER. *AK
BRAKES OVERHEAT/FAIL. *DH
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 RIGHT FRONT HUB LOCKED UP CAUSING THE ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
KING PIN WHICH HOLDS FRONT WHEELS TOGETHER IS INOPERATIVE, CAUSES VEHICLE TO SHIMMY AND VIBRATE VIOLENTLY AT HWY SPEEDS, DEALER CAN'T CORRECT. *AK
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 CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE FOLLOWING : TIRES (DIRECTIONAL/4 WAY), COURTESY LIGHTS, CRUISE CONTROL, STEERING (NOISE), BRAKES/REAR ANTI-LOCK, SEAT BELTS, SEATS (LOOSE), GAS LEAK, REAR DOOR(S) LEAK/DRIVER SIDE DOOR HINGE, DASH CRACKED, LOOSE RUNNING BOARD, FRONT FENDER (PASSENGER SIDE), ARM ON DRIVER SIDE SEAT IS BROKEN, WIPERS, AND THE IGNITION KEY IS STICKING IN THE START POSITION. (TIRES-COPPER DISCOVER) SCC
SEAT BACK ON DRIVERS SIDE COLLAPSED AS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. SIT WILLSTAY UPRIGHT BUT AS SOON AS YOU LEAN THE SEAT FALLS BACK.
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
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE FOLLOWING : TIRES (DIRECTIONAL/4 WAY), COURTESY LIGHTS, CRUISE CONTROL, STEERING (NOISE), BRAKES/REAR ANTI-LOCK, SEAT BELTS, SEATS (LOOSE), GAS LEAK, REAR DOOR(S) LEAK/DRIVER SIDE DOOR HINGE, DASH CRACKED, LOOSE RUNNING BOARD, FRONT FENDER (PASSENGER SIDE), ARM ON DRIVER SIDE SEAT IS BROKEN, WIPERS, AND THE IGNITION KEY IS STICKING IN THE START POSITION. (TIRES-COPPER DISCOVER) SCC
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 CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE FOLLOWING : TIRES (DIRECTIONAL/4 WAY), COURTESY LIGHTS, CRUISE CONTROL, STEERING (NOISE), BRAKES/REAR ANTI-LOCK, SEAT BELTS, SEATS (LOOSE), GAS LEAK, REAR DOOR(S) LEAK/DRIVER SIDE DOOR HINGE, DASH CRACKED, LOOSE RUNNING BOARD, FRONT FENDER (PASSENGER SIDE), ARM ON DRIVER SIDE SEAT IS BROKEN, WIPERS, AND THE IGNITION KEY IS STICKING IN THE START POSITION. (TIRES-COPPER DISCOVER) SCC
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
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE FOLLOWING : TIRES (DIRECTIONAL/4 WAY), COURTESY LIGHTS, CRUISE CONTROL, STEERING (NOISE), BRAKES/REAR ANTI-LOCK, SEAT BELTS, SEATS (LOOSE), GAS LEAK, REAR DOOR(S) LEAK/DRIVER SIDE DOOR HINGE, DASH CRACKED, LOOSE RUNNING BOARD, FRONT FENDER (PASSENGER SIDE), ARM ON DRIVER SIDE SEAT IS BROKEN, WIPERS, AND THE IGNITION KEY IS STICKING IN THE START POSITION. (TIRES-COPPER DISCOVER) SCC
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
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE FOLLOWING : TIRES (DIRECTIONAL/4 WAY), COURTESY LIGHTS, CRUISE CONTROL, STEERING (NOISE), BRAKES/REAR ANTI-LOCK, SEAT BELTS, SEATS (LOOSE), GAS LEAK, REAR DOOR(S) LEAK/DRIVER SIDE DOOR HINGE, DASH CRACKED, LOOSE RUNNING BOARD, FRONT FENDER (PASSENGER SIDE), ARM ON DRIVER SIDE SEAT IS BROKEN, WIPERS, AND THE IGNITION KEY IS STICKING IN THE START POSITION. (TIRES-COPPER DISCOVER) SCC
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
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE FOLLOWING : TIRES (DIRECTIONAL/4 WAY), COURTESY LIGHTS, CRUISE CONTROL, STEERING (NOISE), BRAKES/REAR ANTI-LOCK, SEAT BELTS, SEATS (LOOSE), GAS LEAK, REAR DOOR(S) LEAK/DRIVER SIDE DOOR HINGE, DASH CRACKED, LOOSE RUNNING BOARD, FRONT FENDER (PASSENGER SIDE), ARM ON DRIVER SIDE SEAT IS BROKEN, WIPERS, AND THE IGNITION KEY IS STICKING IN THE START POSITION. (TIRES-COPPER DISCOVER) SCC
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
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE FOLLOWING : TIRES (DIRECTIONAL/4 WAY), COURTESY LIGHTS, CRUISE CONTROL, STEERING (NOISE), BRAKES/REAR ANTI-LOCK, SEAT BELTS, SEATS (LOOSE), GAS LEAK, REAR DOOR(S) LEAK/DRIVER SIDE DOOR HINGE, DASH CRACKED, LOOSE RUNNING BOARD, FRONT FENDER (PASSENGER SIDE), ARM ON DRIVER SIDE SEAT IS BROKEN, WIPERS, AND THE IGNITION KEY IS STICKING IN THE START POSITION. (TIRES-COPPER DISCOVER) SCC
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 .