RoadVitals

1996 Ford Econoline

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.
81
Latest Dec 15, 2011
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.
5
Latest May 11, 2009
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.
18
8 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 81 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Ford Econoline, most frequently naming the brakes, tires & wheels and driver assistance categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 135 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

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
DOPE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
08V051000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

Feb 4, 2008
225,000 units potentially affected
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
The risk: AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 08S01View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA05005ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Mar 22, 2005
Closed Aug 2, 2006

EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD?S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A VACUUM THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE SCDS TO FAIL AND, IN CERTAIN SWITCH INSTALLATION ORIENTATIONS, CATCH FIRE.FORD IS ALSO INCLUDING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF 1998 EXPLORERS.FORD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURES IN THE 1998 EXPLORERS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE FACTORS CAUSING SCDS FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT CORRELATE WELL WITH THE OBSERVED FAILURE RATES ON THESE VEHICLES BY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE NON-RECALLED VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITH SCDS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN FORD?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE NON-RECALLED POPULATION FOR INCIDENCE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT FOR DETAILS.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMLed to recall 05V388000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 81
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 15, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THE DOOR LATCH WOULD NOT RELEASE OPEN IN ORDER TO GAIN ACCESS OR EXIT THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAULTY DOOR CABLE. THE FAILURE INVOLVED BOTH SIDE DOORS AND REAR DOOR. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE DOOR CABLE KIT AND PERFORMED THE REPAIR HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 01/20/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE MECHANICS THAT OPERATES THE DOORS THAT CAN BECOME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CABLES OPERATING THE LATCHES CAN AND DO FAIL BECAUSE THEY ARE MADE OF VINYL AND IN TIME FAIL. UPDATED 01/20/12

NHTSA ID
10440078
Incident
Nov 18, 2009
Mileage
50,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 4, 2008
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1996 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ON JANUARY 14, 2008 WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED FORD RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 05S28 THE FIRST WEEK IN MAY OF 2008. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 122,000.

NHTSA ID
10229871
Incident
Jan 14, 2008
Mileage
122,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 2, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN FEBRUARY OF 2008. SINCE THAT TIME, HE HAS CALLED THE DEALER FIVE TIMES AND WAS INFORMED TO CALL BACK THE FOLLOWING WEEK. ON APRIL 2, 2008, HE WAS INFORMED TO CALL BACK IN AUGUST. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE, POWERTRAIN, AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 04/16/08 *BF UPDATED 04/16/08 *TR

NHTSA ID
10223161
Incident
Apr 2, 2008
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 6, 2008

1996 FORD ECONOLINE WITH FUSED JUMPER HARNESS RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING HIM THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CONSUMER IS VERY UPSET WITH THE UNSATISFACTORY WAY THIS RECALL IS BEING TAKEN CARE OF. *KB

NHTSA ID
10220615
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 28, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH A FEW MONTHS AGO; HOWEVER, FORD IS CURRENTLY SENDING THE CONTACT ANOTHER LETTER STATING THAT THE PART THEY REPLACED WAS STILL DEFECTIVE, AND HE NEEDS TO MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT. THE LETTER REQUESTS THAT HE LEAVE THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER WHILE IT IS BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR YEARS AND WAS NOT AWARE THAT IT COULD CATCH FIRE. HE IS SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ID
10219378
Incident
Feb 28, 2008
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 26, 2008
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD ECONOLINE. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL AND DESTROYED ALL OF THE SWITCHES, BUTTONS, AND MIRROR ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. UPDATED 5/20/08 *CN

NHTSA ID
10219178
Incident
Feb 12, 2008
Mileage
134,495 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Oct 17, 2007
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD ECONOLINE. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 24 HOURS, IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY SOMETHING ELECTRICAL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. PERSONAL ITEMS THAT WERE IN THE YARD WERE BURNED AND DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED LAST NOVEMBER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CRUISE CONTROL NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 157,000. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF

NHTSA ID
10205965
Incident
Oct 13, 2007
Mileage
157,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 29, 2006
Fire reported

THE MORNING OF 23 DEC 2006 AROUND 5:00 AM, MY 1196 FORD ECONOLINE CONVERSION VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DUE TO THE INTENSE HEAT MY HOME SUFFERED FIRE DAMAGE AS WELL. THERE WERE NO KNOWN MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN. IT WAS RUNNING LIKE A CHAMP UNTIL THIS INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
10177282
Incident
Dec 23, 2006
Mileage
113,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

DOR-X8B9R-11

STEERING

This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. Excessive friction in the ball joint assembly may cause a perceptible increase in steering effort.

17467

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

ENGINE OR FUEL SYSTEM CONCERNS WHEN USING FUEL WITH GREATER THAN 5% BIODIESEL CONCENTRATION. *TT

032124

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

A HARD START OR NO START CONDITION IN EXTREME COLD WEATHER. *TT

03218

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

THE WATER-IN-FUEL LAMP MAY STAY ON AND THE FUEL MAY BE SLOW TO DRAIN OR NOT DRAIN AT ALL WHEN THE FUEL DRAIN VALVE IS OPENED. *TT

03219

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

AVAILABILITY OF NEW SEALANT FOR SERVICING 7.3L DI TURBO ENGINE. *TT

032111

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

NO START/HARD START AND/OR LONG CRANK TIME FOR VEHICLES WITH 7.3L DI TURBO DIESEL. *TT

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 Econoline by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025000—
2019120—
2018020—
2017310—
2016311—
2015011—
2014011—
2013011—
2012111—
2011011—
2010111—
2009111—
2007020—
2006020—
2005020—
2003224154.9
2002234155.8
2001285155.5
2000395157.8
1999847158.0
1998464148.3
1997794157.7
1996Viewing815161.9
1995736158.3
19941246364.3
1993655054.1
1992835264.1
1991243254.5
1990304055.4
1989322155.2
1988220042.6
1987155053.9
1986760—
1985106060.3
1984770—
1983260—
1982130—
1981020—
1980140—
1979180—
1978020—
1977030—
1976020—
1975020—
1972010—
1971010—
1969030—
1967010—

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.