1993 Ford E-150

Routine

Owners filed 71 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the vehicle speed control. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control5
301
Tires4
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip4
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly4
000
Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)3
000
Steering3
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline3
010
Air Bags › Frontal3
302
Wheels › Rim2
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Vehicle Speed Control09V399000
Filed Oct 13, 20094,500,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Risk. A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy. FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control08V051000
Filed Feb 4, 2008225,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

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.

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.

Vehicle Speed Control07V336000
Filed Aug 3, 20073,600,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Interior Lighting94V128000
Filed Jul 11, 19946,088 vehiclesMark Iii Industries, Inc.

Defect. THE TRANSFORMER USED TO POWER THE NEON CENTER LIGHTBEAM CAN OVERHEAT AND CATCH ON FIRE.

Risk. THE OVERHEATING AND FIRES CAUSED BY THE NEON TRANSFORMER CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE LIGHTBEAM ASSEMBLY, THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE, AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy. MARK III DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ASSEMBLIES TO ELIMINATE THE NEON LIGHTING FIXTURE IN THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE IT WITH INCANDESCENT LIGHTS OPERATING DIRECTLY FROM THE VEHICLE 12-VOLT BATTERY.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Jul 7, 2022200,000 milesAZ

The contact owns a 1993 Ford E-150. The contact stated that upon attempting to pull into a parking space and turning the steering wheel, she heard an abnormal sound coming from underneath the front driver's side seat and the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact contacted AAA who inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the gear box had detached from the subframe. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front driver's side subframe had three holes and one of the holes had expanded significantly and needed to be welded prior to fastening the gear box to the subframe. The independent mechanic informed the contact that they could not weld the subframe. The dealer was notified and informed the contact that the next availability was in approximately two months. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 24, 2019186,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD E-150. WHILE FUELING THE VEHICLE AT A FUEL STATION, THE FUEL WOULD LEAK OUT FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY AND CALLED FIRMIN FORD (LOCATED AT 921 E MAIN ST, LAURENS, SC 29360, (864) 682-3111) TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.

Tires
Filed Aug 28, 201536,350 milesFL

I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 WHEN MY VEHICLE STARTED THUMPING AND VIBRATING ERRATICALLY AND STEERING WAS VERY HARD TO CONTROL. I EXITED IMMEDIATELY TO FIND THAT MY TIRE HAD A HUGE BULGE A LITTLE LARGER THAN A SOFTBALL. A MAN STOPPED AND SAID I SHOULD BE OKAY TO DRIVE THE 2 MILES I HAD LEFT TO GET HOME. WHEN I BACKED OUT TO DRIVE HOME THE BULGE POPPED EXPOSING BROKEN PLY CORDS AND TREAD SEPARATION.

Steering
Filed Mar 8, 2013143,000 milesWV

DRIVING HOME FROM SHOPPING I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND UPON INSPECTION THE 2 MOUNTING BOLTS HOLDING THE GEARBOX TO THE FRAME RAIL HAD SHEARED OFF AND THE 3RD ONE HAD RIPPED THROUGH THE FRAME RAIL COMPLETELY AND DROPPED THE GEARBOX HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THERE ARE STRESS CRACKS AROUND THE MOUNTING HOLES FOR THE GEARBOX BOLTS. *TR

Tires
Filed Nov 16, 2009176,000 milesTX

I WAS DRIVING EAST, JUST PAST MONROE, LA, ON I-20 JUST PRIOR TO MILE MARKER 126 WHEN THE RIGHT PASSENGER TIRE CAME OFF MY E150 1993 FORD VAN. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VAN TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD. THANKFULLY, THE RIM/TIRE, AND BRAKE CALIPER DID NOT HIT A VEHICLE; I FOUND IT ABOUT A HALF MILE PRIOR TO WHERE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VAN STOPPED. I THOUGHT I A BLOWOUT HAD OCCURRED BUT WHEN I LOOKED, THERE WAS NO RIM OR TIRE ON THE VAN. I BOUGHT THE VAN NEW IN LATE 1992 AND HAVE MAINTAINED IT WELL THROUGHOUT ITS LIFETIME. HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN? JUST PRIOR TO GETTING TO MONROE, THERE WAS A WOBBLE IN THE STEERING LIKE A BIG GUST OF WIND HAD HIT IT OR I HAD STRUCK A RECAP. I GOT OUT AND CHECKED BUT FOUND NOTHING UNUSUAL. I DROVE ON TO MONROE AND ATE LUNCH AT CHILI'S. SHORTLY AFTER GETTING BACK ON I-20 IS WHEN THIS EPISODE HAPPENED. A LOT OF PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. WEATHER WAS CLEAR WITH LIGHT BREEZE AND NO RAIN. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. THE VAN WAS TOWED BY AAA BY BEARS TO HIXSON FORD IN MONROE, LA FOR REPAIR WHERE IT IS NOW WAITING. THE WHEEL WELL, PASSENGER DOOR AND VARIOUS TRIM ITEMS WERE ALSO DAMAGE DUE TO THE WHEEL COMING OFF AND HAVING IT TOWED. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 21, 2009145,000 milesOH

WIFE WAS DRIVING VAN OUT OF DRIVEWAY HEARD A LOUD SNAPPING SOUND AND SHE LOST STEERING AND BRAKES WENT OUT SHE DID NOT MAKE IT TOO THE ROAD I WENT OUT AND LOOKED AT VAN AND THE STEERING BOX BOLTS HAD SNAPPED OFF CAUSING THE STEERING BOX TOO HIT BRAKE LINE VAN WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP REPAIRS ARE PENDING. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 8, 2008WA

NON RESPONSIVE TO RECALL FIX. *TR

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Mar 4, 2008GA

FORD RECALL 05S28 OF THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. I WAS CONTACTED BY FORD TO BRING MY E-150 VAN IN FOR A RECALL ON MY SCDS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION TO WADE FORD IN SMYRNA, GA. 30080. THEY DISCONNECTED THE SCDS AND SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT WOULD BE OCT. BEFORE THEY WERE AVAILABLE. I HAVE WAITED PATIENTLY WHILE FORD TOOK THEIR TIME TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CALLED EVERY MONTH TO GET MY VEHICLE REPAIRED AND FINALLY ON FEB. 29, 2008 I WAS TOLD BY DAVE CHANCE A SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THEY FINALLY HAD THE PARTS TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THEY ASSURED ME THAT THEY HAD THE PARTS TO MAKE THE REPAIR AND I SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD TAKE 1 TO 2 HOURS TO DO. MY APPOINTMENT WAS FOR MARCH 4, 2008 AT 8:00 AM. I ARRIVED AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 7:45 AM AND WAS CHECKED IN AND TOLD THAT I COULD WAIT IN THEIR WAITING ROOM TILL THEY WERE DONE. AT 8:55 AM THE SERVICE ADVISOR DAVE CHANCE CAME IN TO TELL ME THAT HE WAS SORRY THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS IN TO FIX THE SCDS AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. I WAS VERY UPSET WITH THESE PEOPLE AS I WAS GIVEN THE IMPRESSION AND THE NOTICE THAT THEY COULD REPAIR MY SCDS AT THIS TIME. I TOLD THEM THAT MY TIME WAS AS IMPORTANT TO ME AS THEIR TIME WAS TO THEM. THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE THAT IT CAUSED ME, AND WHEN I TOLD THEM THAT THEY SHOULD PAY ME THE SAME HOURLY RATE THAT THEY CHARGE TO WORK AN MY VEHICL

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Aug 31, 2007127,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACTS OWNS A 1993 FORD E150. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN APPLY THE BRAKES FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000. UPDATED 01-16-08. *KB THE MECHANIC STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE. THE CONSUMER HAS CRASHED INTO MAILBOXES CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE. UPDATED *JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 27, 2007NC

FORD RECALL #05S28 INDICATES A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD IN MY "SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH" WHICH MAY LEAK CAUSING A UNDERHOOD FIRE. FORD WANTS TO PUT A FUSE IN THE WIRING HARNESS TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. WHY WOULD FORD NOT WANT TO CHANGE THE SCDS SWITCH THAT MIGHT BE LEAKING INSTEAD? *TR

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Sep 15, 200694,200 milesOH

1993 FORD E150 VAN FRAME CRACKED AROUND BOLT HEADS THAT HOLD STEERING BOX ON, CAUSING ERRATIC STEERING

Structure
Filed Oct 12, 200460,000 milesSD

FROM THE DATE THE CONVERSION VAN WAS PURCHASE, THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. THE VAN WOULD NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT, IT WANDERED ALL OVER THE ROAD. OVER THE YEARS IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM THE BALL JOINTS AND STEERING GEAR HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap
Filed Apr 5, 2004VA

I HAVE A 1993 FORD E150 CONVERSION VAN WITH AT, ABS,PS, PW, PL, TV, VCR, AND TYPE N ENGINE (V8 5.0). I WENT TO FILL UP WITH GASOLINE AND IT APPEARS THAT THE VENT PIPE LEAKS. HAS THIS PROBLEM BEEN IDENTIFIED BY OTHER OWNERS? *JB

Equipment › Appliance › Air ConditionerFire
Filed Oct 28, 2003NV

A/C AND HEATER BLOWER SWITCHS ARE TO LIGHT FOR THE APLICATION ELETRICAL SYSTEM DRAWS TO MANY AMPS. BURNS UNDERDASH WIRING AND WILL CAUSE FIRES. MARKIII AND FORD BOTH USE THE SAME MANUFACTURE SWITCHS FRO THE INDAK CORP.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed May 1, 200350,000 milesMI

1993 FORD E-150 VAN LEAKS FUEL FROM TANK (NOT FILLER NECK) DURING FILLUP. UNABLE TO COMPLETELY FILL TANK BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 7, 2003TN

CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEM LOCATING A DEALERSHIP THAT CAN DO THE RECALL FOR THE LAMP AND SOCKET 94 V 128 000 ON A CONVERSION VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY ARE NO HELP. TS *JG

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)
Filed Nov 18, 2002NY

CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING GEAR BOX COLLAPSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.. TS

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)
Filed Sep 3, 2002CA

THE THREE BOLTS THAT MOUNT THE STEERING BOX BROKE AND THE FRAME HAS MULTIBLE CRACKS,THE BOLTS SHOW NO SIGN OF WEAR AS IF LOOSE, BUT DO LOOK LIKE THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN OVER TIGHTENED. THIS HAPPENED SUDDENLY AND RESULTED IN NO CONTROL OF THE VAN.*AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 26, 2002FL

OUR VAN WAS MODIFIED IN DECEMBER, 2000, WITH A RAISED ROOF AND EXTENDED DOORS TO ALLOW ACCESSABILITY FOR OUR HANDICAPPED SON. WE DISCOVERED AROUND JULY, 2002, THAT THE COMPANY PERFORMING THE MODIFICATION HAD NOT INSTALLED A REINFORCED STEEL CAGE OR USED A RAISED FIBERGLASS ROOF ALREADY REINFORCED. THIS IS A MAJOR OMISSION THAT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A ROLLOVER OR OTHER SERIOUS INCIDENT; A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. WE HAVE NOTIFIED THE COMPANY ON JULY 29, 2002OF OUR CONCERNS BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE AS OF THIS DATE. THE COMPANY PERFORMING THE MODIFCATION IS ACCESSABILITY SPECIALISTS, INC., 1815 CORPORATE SQUARE BOULEVARD SUITE 200, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32216. THE COMPANY PRESIDENT IS WEST WESTMORELAND. WE HAVE FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH NMEDA (WEB SITE WWW.NMEDA.ORG) OF WHICH THE COMPANY IS A MEMBER.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Mar 27, 2002NJ

THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE KEYHOLE WITHIN IGNITION IS MISALIGNED. THE KEY CANNOT START THE VEHICLE. HAVE BEEN STRANDED TILL AFTER COUNTLESS TRIES, ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL MOVE AND THE IGNITION FINALLY UNLOCK. I ALWAYS HAVE THE BEEPING GOING ON IF THE DOOR IS OPEN, EVEN WITH NO KEY IN IGNITION. THIS CAN ONLY BE SILENCED BY WIGGLING THE IGNITION (WITHOUT A KEY IN IT) I AM VERY MUCH AFRAID THE IGNITION IS GOING TO SEPARATE FROM STEERING COLUMN AND JUST FALL OUT! THAT WOULD LEAVE ME NO WAY TO START THE VEHICLE AND GET HOME! NLM

20 of 71 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1994
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20230100Routine
20211000Routine
20168100Routine
20158100Routine
20146600Routine
201319600Routine
201212800Routine
2011231300Routine
201010900Routine
200971400Routine
2008111810Routine
2007121900Routine
2006171610Routine
200516400Routine
200433700Routine
200321610Routine
200228330Routine
200137410Routine
200050620Routine
199983620Routine
199860510Routine
1997102640Routine
199659380Routine
199571370Routine
19941217121Fatalities reported
1993 — this page71440Routine
1992644110Routine
199115110Routine
199017300Routine

Compare every E-150 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 13, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.