Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Our database holds 79 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Ford Econoline. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Showing 1–25 of 79 · page 1 of 4
1997 FORD ECONOLINE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TIRE ISSUES AND REPAIR REIMBURSEMENT.* LD THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE TIRES ON HER VEHICLE WERE RECALLED. HOWEVER, SHE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. RECALL #12T007000. *JB
1997 FORD ECONOLINE VAN. THE SPARK-PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ALUMINUM TRITON ENGINE DESTROYING THE EXISTING THREADS. FIRE HAZARD. EXPOSED FUEL TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEY WOULD ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER, WHEN CALLED, STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER MAY HAVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,400. UPDATED 01/04/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE BLOCK WAS BAD. UPDATED 01/11/11.*JB
AS I TYPE THIS COMPLAINT, I AM LISTENING TO SECRETARY LAHOOD,....IF WHAT HE SAYS IS TRUE I SHOULD HEAR SOMETHING BACK FROM YOU FAIRLY SOON!! I HAVE A COMPLAINT WITH THE V10 FORD ENGINE.....IF YOU GO TO THE INTERNET AND TYPE IN "FORD V10 ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTING" OR ANYTHING SIMILAR TO THAT INQUIRY YOU WILL GET A HOST OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM EXPERIENCING. MY 1997 FORD (MOTORHOME) SPIT OUT A SPARK PLUG SEVERAL MONTH AGO. CALLED FORD, THEY SUGGESTED THAT I HAVE MY MECHANIC INSTALL AN "INSERT" TO REPAIR THE STRIPPED OUT HEAD OR REPLACE THE HEADS.....OFFERED NO OTHER HELP. THE INSERT "FIX COST" $1,000. NEW HEADS WOULD HAVE COST $3,000 EACH. WORK WOULD BE GUARANTEED FOR A WHOPPING "90 DAYS". I OPTED FOR THE $1,000. FIX. AFTER THE FIX, MY WIFE (FIGHTING LUNG CANCER) AND I (RETIRED AIR FORCE-MILITARY) HEADED TO FLORIDA FROM MICHIGAN. WE MADE IT TO INDIANAPOLIS....APPROX 350 MILES. THE NEWLY REPAIRED "HEAD INSERT" ALLOWED THE PLUG TO SPIT OUT AGAIN!! LONG STORY SHORT, WE RETURNED HOME AND HAD A NEW ENGINE (REMANUFACTURED) ENGINE INSTALLED AT A COST OF $5,000. MY MILITARY PENSION CANNOT AFFORD THESE KIND OF MONETARY HITS. I AM ALSO TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A FIRE. WE WERE LUCKY IN THAT REGARD. FORD REPS, BOTH AT THE DEALERSHIP LEVEL AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE (THEIR PHONE # LOCATED IN THE FORD SERVICE MANUALLY) DENIED ANY PROBLEMS....YET THE INTERNET IS FULL OF COMPLAINTS. PLEASE TELL ME YOU ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ARE TRYING TO FIND SOME RECOURSE FOR THE FORD CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEMS AND EXPENSE THAT I HAVE. ALL THE MECHANICS THAT I HAVE TALKED TO WERE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. THAT ONLY ADDS TO MY DISMAY. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN MORE PUBLIC INFO ON THIS PROBLEM....WHY HASN'T THIS PROBLEM BEEN ADDRESSED BY FORD MOTOR CO. OR AT LEAST FAIRLY HANDLED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. AT THE VERY LEAST, I WOULD APPRECIATE SOME RECOGNITION THAT YOUR AGENCY IS AWARE AND LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU SO MUCH! *TR
1997 FORD ECONOLINE WITH SPEED CONTROL RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE ANY PARTS IN SEPTEMBER. HE STATES THAT THEY STILL HAD NO PARTS IN DECEMBER. AS OF APRIL THEY STILL HAVE NO PARTS TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. *KB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V051000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL) IN DECEMBER OF 2007. SHE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE RECALL REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JUNE OF 2008. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,887.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007. HE HAS BEEN INFORMED EVERY MONTH THEREAFTER THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE THE FOLLOWING MONTH. HE SPOKE WITH THE DEALER IN APRIL OF 2008 AND WAS INFORMED TO CHECK BACK IN MAY. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY PARTS; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY HAVE SENT SOME PARTS TO ALL OF THE DEALERS. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED TWO SAFETY RECALL NOTICES FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. WHEN HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO FORD ON AUGUST 28, 2007, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL NOVEMBER. HE THEN RECEIVED ANOTHER NOTICE ON OCTOBER 9, 2007, STATING THAT BECAUSE OF UNFORESEEN PART SHORTAGES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNTIL NOVEMBER OR LATER. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH COULD BE DISCONNECTED. HE WANTS THE SWITCH REPAIRED, NOT DISCONNECTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 84,747. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE A LOUD CLANGING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED A PISTON ROD WAS BENT DUE TO ANTI-FREEZE LEAKING INTO THE PISTON CYLINDER AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THE NOISE WAS HEARD, IT BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING PIN BOX NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD TO HAVE THIRTEEN SETS OF TIRES REPLACED. *JB
VEHICLE'S ROOF SEPARATED FROM CHASSIS WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH. *MR WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VAN'S ROOF SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS AND FELL ONTO THE ROADWAY BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE SEPARATED SECTION INCLUDED THE FIBERGLASS SHELL AD DOME WIRING. PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRENCE, THE WOOD FRAME SUPPORT WAS STRENGTHENED TO CORRECT THE LOOSE FITTING INTERIOR FRAME. *NLM
A FIRESTONE TIRE ON THE FRONT OF OUR COMPANY VAN DELAMINATED. IT WAS ABOUT 1 YEAR OLD AND IS NOT ON ANY RECALL LIST. I HAVE PICTURES ALONG WITH THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE TRUCK. LUCKLY NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DOING 65 MPH AT THE TIME. THE TIRE NEVER WENT FLAT.*AK
1997 FORD ECONOLINE E-150 VAN. SPARE TIRE STORED UNDERNEATH BODY OF VAN, SUSPENDED BY THIN METALLIC CABLE. CABLE SNAPPED, ALLOWING TIRE AND TWO METAL BRACKET PIECES TO FALL ONTO ROAD SURFACE. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY DOING 2-3 MPH IN A PARKING LOT. HAD I BEEN ON A STREET OR FREEWAY AT A HIGHER SPEED, CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE INJURIES/FATALITIES COULD HAVE RESULTED. *NLM
THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL DUE TO A FUEL TANK CRACK *NLM
THE INSURANCE COMPANY ADVISED THE CHURCH TO REMOVE THE REAR SEAT OF THE VAN OR PAY A HIGHER PREMIUM. THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHURCH REQUESTED INFORMATION OF THE CHURCH HAS REQUESTED INFORMATION ABOUT THE VEHICLE AND IT DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH A FULL COMPLIMENT OF THE 15 PASSENGERS. MR SCC
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES AT 40 MPH THE BRAKES WILL LOCK UP CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE A VEHICLE ROLLOVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
STEERING CONTROL ARM SNAP.
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH OR OVER THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND THAT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER THE DEALER STATED THAT CRANKSHAFT WAS NO LONGER ANY GOOD. NLM
FRONT ENGINE TIMING COVER IS LEAKING COOLANT. HEATER WAS NOT WORKING, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO ENGINE, AND SLOWLY DAMAGING ENGINE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE NOW NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. *YD
ORIGINAL TIRES. TIRE #1 (SIZE: LT225/75R16, DOT: VD1L1XD267) HAD SIDE SEPARATION AT 9,785 MILES..TIRE #2 (SIZE: LT225/75R16, DOT: VD1L1XD247) HAD BLOWOUT WITH TOTAL TREAD SEPARATIED ON AT 70 MPH WITH NO WARNING WITH 27,572 MILES..TIRE #3 (SIZE: LT225/75R16, DOT: VD1L1DX267) HAD BLOWOUT WITH TOTAL TREAD SEPARTION WIH NO WARNING AT 65MPH WITH 32,981 MILES....TIRES 2 & 3 BLOWOUTS CAUSED DAMAGE TO BOTH REAR UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE.IE..BREAK SYSTEM, EXHAUST SYTEM, HOLDING TANK AND RUNNING BOARDS..I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CONTACT WITH BOTH FORD AND FIRESTONE ..NEITHER ARE WILL TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES. TIRES AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VDILIKD267 TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)
ON APRIL 12,2001 I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND MISSING IN THE ENGINE. TOOK THE VAN TO GULF COAST FORD IN CRYSTAL RIVER ,FL . THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTICS ON THE VEHICLE AND SAID TEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THEY TOLD I SHOULD HAVE THE FUEL SYSTEM AND GAS FILTER SERVICED. THE VEHICLE RAN OK FOR THE TIME BEING BUT ON MY TRIP TO MICHIGAN THE VEHICLE STARTED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN ONLY MUCH WORSE. I COULDN'T GO ANY FASTER THAN 35 MPH. THIS BEING A SATURDAY THE DEALERS WERE CLOSED IN GA SO I CHECKED INTO A MOTEL UNTIL MONDAY WHEN I TOOK IT TO TEAM FORD IN MARIETTA, GA. THEY ALSO RAN A DIAGNOSTICS AND CONFIRMED A CRACKED SPARK PLUG WHICH THEY REPLACED AND I HAD NO FURTHER INCIDENTS BACK TO MICHIGAN. MY REAL PROBLEM IS THAT I HAD PURCHASED A SERVICE CONTRACT COSTING A $1,000 DOLLARS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A NORMAL MAINTAINANCE PROBLEM. THESE TWO INCIDENTS COST ME 211.89 FIRST TIME AND 155.02 THE SECOND TIME PLUS A 100.00 DOLLAR MOTEL BILL AND TWO DAYS OF MY TIME. I HAVE WRITTEN TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN DEARBORN, MI 3 TIMES AND THEY HAVE YET TO ANSWER ANY OF MY LETTERS. AT LEAST THEY SHOULD HAVE THE COURTESY TO ANSWER MY LETTERS. WHY HAVE A SERVICE CONTRACT IF PROBLEMS ARE DISMISSED AS"NORMAL"*AK
COMPANY OWNS 23 VANS. 14 OF THEM ARE FORD ECONOLINES. ALMOST ALL OF THEM HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DEFROSTER WHICH COSTS ABOUR $600.00 TO FIX. ALSO, THE REAR HUBCAPS ON THIS VAN KEEPS FALLING OFF BECAUSE THE CLIPS TO KEEP THEM IN PLACE ARE PLASTIC.
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A SUDDEN TREAD SEPARATION , BUT TIRE NEVER WENT FLAT. CONSUMER HAD EPERIENCED A TREAD SEPARATION ON ANOTHER TIRE IN LEFT REAR WITH SAME BRAND AND TYPE. FORD, ECONOLINE, 1997, P-245/75R16 DOT# MK11JNHV4100. *AK GOOD YEAR TIRES.*JB
THE SEAT BELTS IN THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS DO NOT RETRACT ADEQUATELY ENOUGH TO REMOVE ANY SLACK ACROSS THE CHEST AND SHOULDER AREA.*YH
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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