1994 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 1994 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
- Brakes2919.3%
- Engine149.3%
- Steering138.7%
- Driver assistance138.7%
- Fuel system106.7%
- Electrical106.7%
- Other / unspecified96.0%
- Seat belts96.0%
- Airbags85.3%
- Body & structure74.7%
- Suspension64.0%
- Visibility53.3%
- Interior & seats42.7%
- Tires & wheels42.7%
- Transmission42.7%
- Powertrain (other)21.3%
- Heating & air conditioning21.3%
- Exterior lighting10.7%
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
STEERING COLUMN: ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME, AIRBAG LIGHT BLINKS IN A PATTERN, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. TRANSMISSION: TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS IN THE HIGHER GEARS.*AK
ABS LIGHT HAD COME ON, AND THE WILL STAY ON FOR A WHILE BEFORE TURNING OFF. CONTACTED DEALER. *AKI
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
MOVING TO NORTH CAROLINA IN A FORD ECONOLINE VAN, 1994. THE VAN STARTED SMOKING AND WHEN WE PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY THE SMOKE BECAME SO THICK THAT WE STARTED TO WALK AWAY TO OUR SECOND VEHICLE PARKED THE VAN. WHEN WE TURNED AROUND WE SAW AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF SMOKE AND REALIZED THE VAN HAD CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES BUT NONE OF THE CONTENTS WITHIN COULD BE SAVED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD ECONOLINE VAN. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT EXHIBITED A NO-START CONDITION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 100,000.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE TURN WHEEL TO LEFT HARD AT LOUD CRACKING SOUND AS IF SOMETHING WAS BREAKING. STOPPED GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER AND NOTICED A BOLT PULLED THROUGH AND BROKE THE FRAME WHERE THE BOTTOM BOLT WAS. GRABBED THE OTHER TWO AND THEY PULLED RIGHT OUT AND WE'RE SNAPPED OFF. HAD TO GET ANOTHER GEARBOX PUT ON WITH ALL THREE BOLTS AND 4 DAYS LATER WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT HARD LOUD POP AND LOOKED AND TOP RIGHT BOLT WAS SNAPPED OFF COMPLETELY. STEERING WAS WAY LOOSER AND MADE IT TO MY DESTINATION. NEXT MORNING TRIED TO PULL OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND LOUD POP ONCE AGAIN. THIS TIME THE GEARBOX WAS HANGING ALL THE WAY OFF. STEERING WHEEL JUST KEPT TURNING BUT WHEELS WERE NOT. COULDN'T PARK IT BACK OUT OF STREET BECAUSE OTHERS CARS WERE CLOSE HAD TO LEAVE IT HALFWAY HANGING OUT IN STREET TILL PEOPLE GOT OFF WORK AND MOVED OTHER CARS AWAY SO I COULD GET IT BACK TO CURB. NOW I'M AT A LOST HOW DID THIS HAPPEN TWICE. OR EVEN HAPPEN AT ALL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD ECONOLINE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSTANTLY VEER TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOBBLED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
seat belt not pulling out e40d trans starts out going in 3ed gear
FIRE TO VEHICLE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *TR
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE GASOLINE HOSE CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GASOLINE BECAUSE OF THE CRACK IN THIS LINE THAT WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE HOSE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER EXAMINED SEVERAL OF THESE VEHICLES AND THEY ALL HAD A SIMILAR CRACK IN THE HOSE WERE DEVELOPING A CRACK. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING GAS A LOUD NOISE COMES FROM MOTOR, AND BACK MANIFOLD IS LEAKING FUEL. CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM.*AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
1) NO PREVIOUS INDICATION WAS GIVEN OF ANY PROBLEM. 2) AT 3 AM ON AUGUST 8TH, 2005, I WAS AWAKEN BY A NEIGHBOR, WHO HAVING SMELLED SMOKE, LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND SAW MY VAN ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IN THE AREA OF THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR, THIS ITEM HAVING BURNED, AS WELL AS THE WIRE HARNESSES BEHIND THE RESERVOIR, AND ALSO THE BATTERY CABLES. THE VAN HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE ENGINE OFF, AND NO ACCESSORIES WERE ON AT THE TIME. THE VAN IS INOPERATIVE AT THIS TIME. 3) I HAVE NOT DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, SINCE IT IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT OF SOME COMPONENT ON THE VEHICLE, THIS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED, AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE FORD MOTOR COMPANY ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SUBSEQUENT REPAIR. *NM
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE. WHILE ALL THE RESIDENCE WERE GONE FOR THE DAY, THE VEHICLE MYSTERIOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE DEFECT. *AK *SC *JB
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 SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNT THE BRAKE FLUID BOTTLE AND SOME SCORED PAINT UNDER THE HOOD AND SOME WIRING. WHEN WE CONTACTED FORD THEY SAID THIS VEHICLE DIDN'T FALL UNDER THIS RECALL. NOW FORD SAYS IT DOES AND WE HAD ALREADY REPAIRED IT AT OUR EXPENSE. WHEN WE LOOKED THIS UP ON THE NET IT SAID IT WAS ALREADY DONE IN 1996, BUT HOW COULD IT WHEN THEY SAID IT DIDN;T FALL INTO THE RECALL SINCE IT WAS A E150. *TR
THE WHEEL MOUNTING STUDS FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE STRESS.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
seat belt not pulling out e40d trans starts out going in 3ed gear
ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS ON HIGH RPMS WHEN VERY COLD/REAR SEAT BELTS RETRACTOR WILL NOT FEED OUT FREQUENTLY. *TR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING COLUMN: ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME, AIRBAG LIGHT BLINKS IN A PATTERN, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. TRANSMISSION: TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS IN THE HIGHER GEARS. *AK
WHEN VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO A STATIONARY VEHICLE, TRAVELING BETWEEN 40-60 MPH, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. OWNER IS WAITING TO GET VEHICLE REPAIRED. DAMAGES TOTALL ABOUT $3,000.00. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE TURN WHEEL TO LEFT HARD AT LOUD CRACKING SOUND AS IF SOMETHING WAS BREAKING. STOPPED GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER AND NOTICED A BOLT PULLED THROUGH AND BROKE THE FRAME WHERE THE BOTTOM BOLT WAS. GRABBED THE OTHER TWO AND THEY PULLED RIGHT OUT AND WE'RE SNAPPED OFF. HAD TO GET ANOTHER GEARBOX PUT ON WITH ALL THREE BOLTS AND 4 DAYS LATER WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT HARD LOUD POP AND LOOKED AND TOP RIGHT BOLT WAS SNAPPED OFF COMPLETELY. STEERING WAS WAY LOOSER AND MADE IT TO MY DESTINATION. NEXT MORNING TRIED TO PULL OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND LOUD POP ONCE AGAIN. THIS TIME THE GEARBOX WAS HANGING ALL THE WAY OFF. STEERING WHEEL JUST KEPT TURNING BUT WHEELS WERE NOT. COULDN'T PARK IT BACK OUT OF STREET BECAUSE OTHERS CARS WERE CLOSE HAD TO LEAVE IT HALFWAY HANGING OUT IN STREET TILL PEOPLE GOT OFF WORK AND MOVED OTHER CARS AWAY SO I COULD GET IT BACK TO CURB. NOW I'M AT A LOST HOW DID THIS HAPPEN TWICE. OR EVEN HAPPEN AT ALL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE BUMPER IN PLACE HAVE RUSTED AND CAUSED THE FRONT BUMPER TO FALL OFF. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE AND BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF HE WAS DRIVING THE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
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
1994 FORD ECONOLINE REAR AXLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. *KB *JB
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE & NOTICED THE BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE. *AK
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
TWO HEATER SWITCHES WERE REPLACED WITHIN TWO YEARS. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
HEAT SWITCH BOUNCES IN ONE POSITION,CANNOT TURN SWITCH OFF OR ON. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED PART 4 TIMES. PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. *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
THIS VAN WOULD BE CONSIDERED A LEMON IF ALL OF THIS HAPPENED WITHIN TWO YEARS. FIRST THE DOOR LOCK FELL OUT, THEN THE REARVIEW MIRROR FELL OFF, THEN THE WRONG FUSE SIZE HAD BEEN INSTALLED AND THE THE CAR COULD NOT STARTED AND ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FAILED. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. AFTER THAT ALL THE BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACES THE FOLLOWING YEAR. AFTER THAT THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO TOO LIGHT A DUTY BRAKE BEING INSTALLED ON A CONVERSION VAN. IN 1998 THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO GO OUT, IT HAS NOT COMPLETELY GONE OUT YET. IT SHUDDERS ON LIGHT TO MODERATE ACCELERATION. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS PROBABLY THE THRUST CONVERTER. IN JUNE 1999 THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT. THE DEALER SAID THAT IT HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY BECAUSE OF CORROSION. THE CAR PUMP WENT OUT ON A TWO LANE 6% GRADE GOING DOWN HILL CAUSING THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES TO PRACTICALLY FAIL DO TO NO POWER. THE COURTESY LIGHTS HAVE NOW FAILED AND WE ARE UNABLE TO TURN ANY OF THEM ON. WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT AN ELECTRICAL FIRE DUE TO THE SHORT. WE WANT FORD TO OFFER TO PAY FOR FIXING THESE ITEMS. THERE ARE MANY SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING ALL OF THESE THINGS.
I AM ONLY 4FT10IN. THE SEAT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD TO ADJUST TO MY HEIGHT. WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT WILL SUDDENLY FLY BACKWARDS. I HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT TIMES. THIS IS DANGEROUS. THIS IS ALSO MY SECOND FORD VAN TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IN ORDER TO CORRECT THER PROBLEM I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT. AT A COST OF OVER$ 2000 THIS IS A HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD ECONOLINE VAN. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER WINTERMASTER TIRES, SIZE 235/75/R15. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING AND GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HE PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS BLOWN. THERE WAS TREAD SEPARATION AND A LARGE PORTION OF THE STEEL BELT WAS EXPOSED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,800.
HEARD THUMPING AND STARTED TO SLOW WHEN TIRE BLEW AND VAN BECAME HARD TO CONTROL. VAN PULLED ONTO DIRT SHOULDER (OF TWO LANE HIGHWAY) AND ALMOST FLIPPED.MANAGED TO GET BACK ONTO ROAD, SLOWED DOWN AND STOPPED. CHANGED TIRE. IT WAS DESTROYED. THE TREAD WAS SEPARATED, AND THE SIDEWALL BLOWN APART IN SEVERAL PLACES ON BOTH SIDES. THE RIM WAS UNDAMAGED TO MY EYE, AND THE BEAD NEAR THE RIM WAS ALSO UNDAMAGED. THE TIRE SHOP REMOVED THE TIRE, LOOKED FOR A CAUSE OF THE BLOW OUT BUT COULD FIND NONE. THE STEEL BELTS AND TREAD WERE COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM CARCASS AROUND 80% OF CIRCUMFERENCE AND PARTIALLY AROUND THE REST.THE "NYLON" CORDS WERE EXPOSED WHERE EVER THE BELTS HAD SEPARATED AND WERE SHREDDED AND PROBABLY CAUSED THE SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE WITH ONLY A FEW MINUTES OF THUMPING AS A WARNING OF IMPENDING FAILURE.WHOLE EVENT PROBABLY TOOK LESS THAN 2 MINUTE. I HAVE MORE OF THESE TIRES IN THE CAR NOW.*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
THIS IS THIRD TRANSMISSION THAT HAS BEEN INSTALLED INTO THIS VEHICLE. *AK
STEERING COLUMN: ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME, AIRBAG LIGHT BLINKS IN A PATTERN, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. TRANSMISSION: TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS IN THE HIGHER GEARS. *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
1994 FORD ECONOLINE REAR AXLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. *KB *JB
WHEN BRAKE ARE APPLIED, THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. IT TOOK SIX TRIES FOR THE DEALER TO LOCATE AND CORRECT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE ABS. ALSO, EXPERIENCE TWO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHERE THE VEHICLE GETS STUCK IN LOW GEAR AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATS.
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
AIR CONDITIONER LEAKS FREON.
STEEL PIPE TO AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. *SKD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION TURN SIGNAL SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 10/8/14*CN UPDATED 3/24/2015 *JS
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 .