RoadVitals

1996 Ford Econoline Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
8
Latest Oct 17, 2007
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 81 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Ford Econoline submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
Heating & air conditioningDriver assistanceElectrical+2 more
Filed Sep 20, 2006

1996 FORD ECONOLINE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPEATEDLY CAUSED THE VAN TO BREAK DOWN. *KB THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR SEIZED AND THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND THE ABS, AIR BAG AND ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10170132
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Mileage
20,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 2, 2005
Fire reported

THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MADE THE ASSUMPTION OF IT BEING AN ELECTRICAL FIRE.

NHTSA ID
10119390
Incident
Apr 28, 2005
Electrical
Filed Jul 19, 2002

HORN BUTTONS ARE NOT VISIBILE WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *AKIN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WHERE THE HORN IN NEEDED, THE HORN IS NOT EASILY ACCESSIBLE. *JG

NHTSA ID
8014333
Incident
Jul 19, 1998
BrakesElectricalSuspension
Filed Oct 16, 1998

SPRINGS DEFECTIVE CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR OF THE TIRES.

NHTSA ID
542047
Electrical
Filed Jul 9, 1997

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN REAR OF VEHICLE TO BLOW FUSES DURING NORMAL OPERATION. DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
520900
Electrical
Filed Jul 22, 1996

ENGINE STOPS AT A LOW SPEED. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID
987185
Incident
Jul 13, 1996

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Brakes20Tires & wheels13Driver assistance12Engine12

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .