1992 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 1992 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
- Driver assistance1816.8%
- Fuel system1514.0%
- Engine1312.1%
- Electrical109.3%
- Brakes109.3%
- Suspension87.5%
- Steering76.5%
- Other / unspecified65.6%
- Tires & wheels43.7%
- Interior & seats43.7%
- Transmission32.8%
- Heating & air conditioning32.8%
- Powertrain (other)21.9%
- Body & structure21.9%
- Seat belts10.9%
- Airbags10.9%
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
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FIRE IGNITED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AS THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 008V051000(VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT HAD HIS CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATED IN FALL OF 2007 ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V051000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL), WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. HE THEN HAD THE NEW AND IMPROVED CRUISE CONTROL PART INSTALLED IN THE SUMMER OF 2008. AFTER THE INSTALLATION, HE NOTICED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NO LONGER OPERATIVE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD STAND BY THEIR REPAIR AND HONOR A REPLACEMENT FOR THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER EXPENSES OTHER THAN THE JUMPER HARNESS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 101,850 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,966.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I AM A DETECTIVE WITH THE CITY OF BRIDGEPORT, WV. ON 7/16/04 I WITNESSED A 1992 FORD VAN VIN#: [XXX] ON U. S. ROUTE 50 TRAVELING AT 100 MPH AND THE HORN BLOWING. THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING, WHICH MYSELF AND ANOTHER OFFICER ATTEMPTED TO GET THE DRIVER OUT OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH ONCE WITH IN A FEW FEET THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THROUGH THE INVESTIGATION OF THIS INCIDENT IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING EAST ON U. S. ROUTE 50 FROM THE PARKERSBURG, WV AREA TOWARDS HER RESIDENCE IN SALEM, WV. THE DRIVER SHOULD HAVE EXITED U. S. ROUTE 50 APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES PRIOR TO THE CRASH SITE IN BRIDGEPORT, WV AND DID NOT DO SO BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS AT FULL THROTTLE FOR SOME REASON. THE DRIVER WAS WITNESSED AS FAR AS 8 MILES WEST OF THE CRASH SITE BLOWING HER HORN AND FLASHING HER LIGHTS TO WARN DRIVERS OF HER PROBLEM. THERE IS A TOTAL OF 2 WITNESSES WHO GAVE STATEMENTS TO THE DRIVERS ACTIONS WHILE TRAVELING ON U. S. ROUTE 50, PLUS WHAT I WITNESSED AS THE VEHICLE PASSED MY LOCATION ABOUT 1/2 MILE BEFORE THE CRASH SITE. THE BRAKES OF THE VEHICLE WERE EXAMINED BY MYSELF AND TWO MECHANICS AND WERE FOUND TO BE COMPLETELY WORN DOWN AND THERE WAS SOME GOUGE MARKS IN THE ROTORS OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE PASSED MY LOCATION I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE ROARING AT FULL THROTTLE AND WITH THE HORN BLOWING CONSTANTLY THAT THIS WAS MORE THAN JUST A DRUNK OR SPEEDER. THE FAMILY OF THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BRAKES PUT ON A FEW MONTHS AND THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN ONLY A FEW TIMES SINCE. I FOUND TWO RECALLS ON WWW.ALLDATA.COM THAT I WOULD LIKE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ON; 1. SPEED CONTROL - INOPERATIVE, 2. ACCELERATOR CABLE -SERVICE PROCEDURES/TIPS. ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *JB UPDATED 07/25/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
VEHICLE STALLS IN WARM WEATHER, AT ANY SPEED AND ANY TIME.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM AS BEING THE COOLANT SENSOR, ALSO THE FUEL FILTER AND DRIVEBELT WERE REPLACED.*JB
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 1992 FORD ECONOLINE. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE WATER PUMP BEGAN LEAKING FLUID. THE LABOR COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS $100. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR AND MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE OBSERVED AN INCOMPLETE STICKER INSIDE THE DOOR BY THE MANUFACTURER IN 1992. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE STICKER INDICATED THAT THERE WERE SOME PARTS ON THE VEHICLE THAT WERE NOT COMPLETELY INSTALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END ALSO NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED 1 YEAR AGO. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 187,000. UPDATED 06/16/08 *BF
1992 FORD ECONOLINE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSING THE VAN TO BE COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *JB
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1992 FORD ECONOLINE VAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE AND ASSUMED ONE OF THE TIRES WAS FLAT. AS HE WAS MOVING THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE POLICE ARRIVED BUT THEY DID NOT FILE A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON, AND ON SATURDAY AT 1:30 PM IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD ECONOLINE. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE WATER PUMP BEGAN LEAKING FLUID. THE LABOR COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS $100. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR AND MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE OBSERVED AN INCOMPLETE STICKER INSIDE THE DOOR BY THE MANUFACTURER IN 1992. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE STICKER INDICATED THAT THERE WERE SOME PARTS ON THE VEHICLE THAT WERE NOT COMPLETELY INSTALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END ALSO NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED 1 YEAR AGO. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 187,000. UPDATED 06/16/08 *BF
FIRST TIME DISC BRAKE LOCKED UP ON OR ABOUT 07/29/00, MILEAGE 21478, VEHICLE SPEED ABOUT 30 TO 35MPH, NO ACCIDENT. HAD BOTH FRONT BRAKES SERVICED BY FORD AUTHORIZED GARAGE. BRAKE PADS REPLACED,CALIPER SLIDES CLEANED AND LUBED, ROTORS MACHINED AND VEHICLE TEST DRIVE. SECOND LOCK UP OF DISC BRAKE ON 09/10/01. SAME WHEEL (LEFT FRONT). NO ACCIDENT, MILEAGE 23188, VEHICLE SPEED ABOUT 40MPH. REPAIRS TO BRAKE SYSTEM NOT MADE TO DATE. EXPECT TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE IN NEXT WEEK.*AK
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
LEFT REAR AXLE SNAPPED CAUSING REAR TIRE AND RIM TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE AXLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD ECONOLINE. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE WATER PUMP BEGAN LEAKING FLUID. THE LABOR COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS $100. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR AND MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE OBSERVED AN INCOMPLETE STICKER INSIDE THE DOOR BY THE MANUFACTURER IN 1992. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE STICKER INDICATED THAT THERE WERE SOME PARTS ON THE VEHICLE THAT WERE NOT COMPLETELY INSTALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END ALSO NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED 1 YEAR AGO. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 187,000. UPDATED 06/16/08 *BF
THERE WAS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. *AK THE REPLACED BOX HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY. DEALER HAS NOTIFIED. *YH
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
WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE AT 75 MPH REAR PASSENGER'S WHEEL CAME COMPLETELY OFF.*AK
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON 190 HEADED EAST AND WITHOUT WARNING THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL SNAPPED OFF, AND SHE SPINNED AROUND ABOUT THREE TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A HALT, FACING THE FLOW OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED. DATE WAS SEPT 98 //// 15 JUL 99. DRIVING ON 195 WITH MY ENTIRE FAMILY AND SOME FRIENDS AT ABOUT 70 MILES PER HOUR THE LEFT REAR WHEEL SNAPPED OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND WE BEGAN TO SKID ABOUT 150-200 METERS. THE VAN FISHTAILED. BUT I COMPENSATED IT WITH MY STEERING. AFTER COMING TO A HALT WE FOUND OUT THAT WE WERE SKIDDING ON OUR GAS TANK, WHICH WAS BUSTED AT THAT TIME. FUEL WAS EVERY WHERE BUT NO EXPLOSION. THANK THE LORD!
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
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM WITH THREE FIRESTONE FIREHAWK TIRE: SIZE R4531105 DOT VD604RA109Q14L, VD504RA49803L AND ( R) ALL THREE TIRES BLOW UP AT 21,000 MILES AND THE TIRES EXPECTATION WERE 50,000 MILES, MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION DOT. AND SIZE. TS *TR
TIRE SIZE: 31 1050 R16.5; TREAD SEPARATION, VAN SWERVED OUT OF CONTROL. *AK (TIRESIZE: 3110.5R16.)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 3110.5R16. )
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
PROBLEM: DOOR LATCHES ON THREE OF SIX DOORS ON 1992 FORD ECONLINE CONVERSION VAN FAILED SUDDENLY WITHIN FOUR DAYS OF EACH OTHER PREVENTING DOORS FROM BEING OPENED. SAFETY HAZARD: DOORS NOT OPENING COULD PREVENT EGRESS FROM VEHICLE IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. FAILURE CAUSE: DETERIORATION OF PLASTIC RETAINERS AT BOTH END OF DOOR MECHANISM CABLES. FOUR RETAINERS ARE MOLDED TO EACH END OF TWO CABLES INSIDE THE DOOR. FAILURE OF THE RETAINERS PREVENTS DOORS CABLES FROM FUNCTIONING PROPERLY TO OPEN DOORS. IN ALL THREE CASES EACH OF THE FOUR RETAINS IN ALL THREE DOORS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. REPAIRS: FOLLOWING THE FIRST FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT REPLACEMENT RETAINERS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THIS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE HANDLE A CABLE ASSEMBLY AT AN INSTALLED COST OF @$300. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC INDIVIDUAL CABLES WERE NOT AVAILABLE EXCEPT AS PART OF THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE SECOND REAR DOOR FAILED. BEFORE REPAIRS COULD BE UNDERTAKEN, THE LEFT CARGO DOOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE ALSO FAILED.. THE CONSUMER UNDERTOOK REPAIRS BY USING EPOXY PUTTY TO MOLD REPLACEMENTS OF THE FAILED PLASTIC RETAINER. IT APPEARS THAT THIS MAY WORK THOUGH THESE REPAIRS HAVE NOT YET BEEN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE PLASTIC RETAINERS ON THE REMAINING THREE DOORS WILL FAIL IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME REQUIRING SIMILAR REPAIRS UNLESS THE PLASTIC RETAINERS WERE PART OF A BAD BATCH WHILE THE REMAINING CABLES WERE PART OF A GOOD BATCH. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS IF ALL SIX DOORS FAIL WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $1800 OR ALMOST HALF OF THE TOTAL CURRENT VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. RECOMMENDATION: FORD SHOULD RECALL ALL VEHICLES FOR WHICH THESE PARTS ARE USED TO INSPECT AND REPLACE, AS NECESSARY, THE CABLES CONTAINING THE PLASTIC RETAINERS. AT THE VERY LEAST, FORD SHOULD MAKE AVAILABLE REPLACEMENT RETAINERS THEREBY AVOIDING THE NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HANDLE ASSEMBLY WHICH IS EXPENSIVE AND WASTEFUL. *TR
WIFE HIT THE KNOB TO ADJUST THE SEATS. SMOKE WAS COMING 30AMP FUSE, ALL WIRING ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. ALSO, AND BOTTOM OF SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
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
SUDDEN ACCELERATION AT SPEEDS OF 15 TO 35. ALSO REPLACED TRANSMISSION.
DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 45MPH, WHEN MOTOR STARTED TO RACE. TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT. WENT INTO LOW GEAR ON ITS OWN. HAD CALLED & TAKEN VEHICLE INTO DEALER. CONSUMER HAD TO WAIT FOR PARTS. *SLC
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
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON THIS VAN HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. I HAVE ADVISED THE DEALER OF THIS TO NO AVAIL. I WOULD LIKE FOR A MANUFACTURING TECHNICIAN TO LOOK AT IT. *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
DRIVESHAFT FAILURE CAUSED TRANSMISSION/STARTER AND GAS TANK DAMAGE. *AK
ABS: WHEN APPLIED, BRAKES SEEMED EXTREMELY SPONGY; ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON; SPEEDOMETER BOUNCED UP/DOWN; GAS GAUGE WENT FROM HALF TO FULL. TT
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
WHEN OWNER TOOK VAN FOR AN FRONT END WHEEL ALIGNMENT A TECHICAN NOTICED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS CRACKING AT THE FRAME. THE WHOLE FRAME WILL BE REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK
FLEET OF VEHICLES; NOTICED VEHICLE WOULD SHIMMY; CHECKED & WELDS BROKE LOOSE; STARTED SPLITTING LENGTH WISE; TAKEN APART & RE-WELDED TOGETHER. *AK
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 VEHICLES REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT WORK, THE RETRACTOR IS INOPERATIVE. *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
ON COMING VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT, HITTING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON THE SIDE. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT DURING COLLISION. *ML
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 .