1994 Ford Van 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 Van, 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
- Electrical220.0%
- Engine220.0%
- Fuel system220.0%
- Other / unspecified110.0%
- Steering110.0%
- Suspension110.0%
- Transmission110.0%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
EARLIER SAME DAY VEHICLE OVERHEATED, IT WAS IMMED. TURNED OFF AND TOWED IN. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ENGINE WAS OFF AND KEY REMOVED. IT LATER CAUGHT FIRE. THE PROPER AUTHORITIES WERE CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND INVESTIGATE THE SCENE. THE "HOT SPOT" OF THE FIRE WAS DETERMINED TO BE AT THE STARTER RELAY. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS.THE TIME OF DAY OF THE FIRE WAS APPROX. 4:30 PM. NO ONE WAS NEAR THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME.
POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM CAUSING COURTESY LIGHTS, READING LIGHTS, RADIO AND TELEVISION FAILURE. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM, THE VAN WILL DIE AND NOT START AGAIN UNTIL THE ENGINE HAS COOLED DOWN. YOU ARE STUCK ALONG SIDE THE ROAD UNTIL THEN. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I CALLED FOR A TOW AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VAN WAS VAPOR LOCKED. WAS TOWED 35 MILES TO A GARAGE TO HAVE IT FIXED. AFTER LOOKING AT THE VAN THIS IS WHEN WAS TOLD IT WAS VAPOR LOCKED. *JB
TRANSMISSION REBUILT BECAUSE ELECTRONICS FAILED, REPLACED FRONT BANDS, TORQUE CONVERTER AND FRONT SPRAG. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT WHEN WE HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED AT 50400 MILES THAT THERE HAD BEEN A LEAK THEN AND IT WAS SEALED WITH SILICONE. ENGINE REPLACE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC FUEL PUMP. FUEL PUMP SQUIRTS GAS OUT OF THE FUEL TANK. IN ADDITION, THE CONSUMER SMELLED STRONG FUMES. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
WHILE FILLING MY FUEL TANK, GAS WAS SEEN RUNNING ON THE GROUND FROM UNDER THE CAR. AFTER AN INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL FILLER AND AIR RETURN RUBBER HOSES WERE CRACKED AND CRUMBLING. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. THESE PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE ON MY CAR AND PROBABLY MANY OTHER SIMILAR CARS. THIS IS A SERIOUS FIRE AND POLLUTION HAZARD. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE HOSES WILL CRACK OPEN COMPLETLY AND FUEL WILL SPILL OUT. THE CRACKED LOSES CAUSE FUEL VAPORS TO BE RELEASED INTO THE AIR. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS BEYOND THE WARRANTY. REPORTED IT TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 800-392-3673, BUT THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL. I THINK THAT ALL FORD MODELS THAT USED THESE PARTS SHOULD BE RECALLED, INSPECTED AND REPAIRED AT FORDS EXPENSE. *MJS
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 DRIVING AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP ALL FIVE WHEEL STUDS/BOLTS BROKE, AND THE WHEEL DISENGAGED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING LOST STEERING CONTROL. DEALER SAID THAT THE STEERING BOX RIPPED OFF FROM THE FRAME. *AK
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
CAMBER BUSHING WEARS OUT, CAUSING INPROPER ALIGNMENT AND EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRES. *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
TRANSMISSION REBUILT BECAUSE ELECTRONICS FAILED, REPLACED FRONT BANDS, TORQUE CONVERTER AND FRONT SPRAG. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT WHEN WE HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED AT 50400 MILES THAT THERE HAD BEEN A LEAK THEN AND IT WAS SEALED WITH SILICONE. ENGINE REPLACE
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 .