1991 Ford Econoline

Routine

Owners filed 24 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel system, gasoline › storage › auxillary tank › selector devices. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank › Selector Devices4
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline3
000
Tires2
102
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine2
000
Wheels › Hubcap/Cover1
000
Wheels1
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Suspension › Rear › Shock Absorber93V073000
Filed Apr 27, 199325,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THE REAR SHOCK CROSSMEMBER OF THE FRAME CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME.

Risk. SEPARATION OF THE REAR SHOCK CROSSMEMBER FROM THE FRAMECAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy. REPLACE THE REAR CHOCK CROSSMEMBER WITH A SHOCK CROSSMEMBER MADE OF HIGH STRENGTH STEEL.

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage91V172000
Filed May 4, 19921,010 vehiclesGlaval Bus Division

Defect. THE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE FOR THE REAR BENCH SEAT FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE STANDARDS OF FMVSS 210.

Risk. FAILURE TO MEET THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210 PLACETHE SEAT OCCUPANTS IN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOPOR ACCIDENT.

Remedy. THE MANUFACTURE WILL REPLACE THE NON-COMPLYING SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE WITH A NEW ANCHORAGE THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank › Selector Devices91V146000
Filed Sep 4, 1991350,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE MAY MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN OVERFILL CONDITION IN ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS, RESULTING IN AN OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP.

Risk. THE OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP CAUSES A FUELLEAKAGE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy. REPLACE THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 31, 2009175,000 milesTN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL COMING FROM THE GAS TANK ALONG WITH A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE ON THE GROUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 91V146000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILIARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 245,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank › Selector Devices
Filed Aug 17, 200752,867 milesNE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE HAS A DUAL TANK. WHILE DRIVING ON THE BACK TANK, SHE SMELLED GAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE LEARNED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE GAS CAP ON THE FRONT TANK AND WAS MIXING WITH THE FUEL FROM THE REAR TANK. SHE SWITCHED TO THE FRONT FUEL TANK AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE CONTACT ONLY USES ONE TANK, BUT FUEL CONTINUES TO LEAK BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE TANKS. MECHANICS STATED THAT SHE NEEDED TO CHANGE THE SELECTOR VALVE. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 91V146000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILIARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES) WAS REFERENCED. THE PURCHASE DATE, SPEED, AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,867.

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Oct 19, 200415,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO CHANGE THE TIRE. COOPER SIZE#23575R15 PLEASE PROVIDE THE DOT NUMBER. *JB

TiresCrash2 injured
Filed Jan 27, 2003NY

THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE FOLLOWING : TIRES (DIRECTIONAL/4 WAY), COURTESY LIGHTS, CRUISE CONTROL, STEERING (NOISE), BRAKES/REAR ANTI-LOCK, SEAT BELTS, SEATS (LOOSE), GAS LEAK, REAR DOOR(S) LEAK/DRIVER SIDE DOOR HINGE, DASH CRACKED, LOOSE RUNNING BOARD, FRONT FENDER (PASSENGER SIDE), ARM ON DRIVER SIDE SEAT IS BROKEN, WIPERS, AND THE IGNITION KEY IS STICKING IN THE START POSITION. (TIRES-COPPER DISCOVER) SCC

Tires
Filed Aug 13, 2002WA

AS I WAS DRIVING EAST ON STATE ROUTE 410 EAST THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW THE TREAD OFF ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE. THIS TIRE WAS MY SPARE AND HAD BEEN ROTATED ON TO MY VAN ABOUT 18 MOTHS AGO. IT WAS ALMOST BRAND NEW THEN IT STILL HAD THE LITTLE RUBBER NUBS ON IT FROM BEING NEW. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THIS TIRE HAD LESS THAN 8000 MILES ON IT. WHEN THE TREAD CAM OFF IT KNOCKED THE EXHAUST PIPE UP INTO THE FENDER AND THE TREAD THEN WRAPPED ITSELF AROUND MY SUSPENSION. I WS UNABLE TO READ THE DOT CODE ON THE TIRE BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE. MY FENDER IS PUSHED OUT AND I HAVE A HOLE IN MY EXHAUT PIPE FROM THIS INCIDENT. FORTUNATELY IT DID NOT COMPLETELY BLOW OUT. I STILL HAVE THE TIRE AND THE TREAD THAT CAME OFF OF IT. I CAN IF NECESSARY HAVE THE PERSON WHO HELPED ME ON THE ROADSIDE WRITE A STATEMENT OF WHAT HE HAD TO DO TO GET ME BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank › Selector Devices
Filed Dec 31, 2001TX

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH FUEL TANK LEAKING,THE ODOR GETS INTO VEHICLE. *AKCONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO THE RECALL THE AUXILLARY FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING FUEL TO BE PUMPED FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER, OVERFLOWING OTHER TANK AND FUEL SPEWING FROM FILLER CAP INTO CAB AND ON TO GROUND, RECALL #91V146000. *YD

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank › Selector Devices
Filed Dec 7, 2001TX

FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE IS DEFECTIVE. GAS WILL GUSH OUT OF ONE TANK INTO THE OTHER TANK, OVERFLOWING, AND CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. *AK *YH

Wheels › Hubcap/Cover
Filed Nov 29, 1999MI

THE RIGHT FRONT HUB LOCKED UP CAUSING THE ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist
Filed Nov 9, 1999MA

VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND BRAKES WORKING NORMALLY. ON RESTARTING VEHICLE THERE WAS TOTAL FAILURE OF BRAKING SYSTEM. DIAMOND RV FOUND A DISINTEGRATED CHECK VALVE WITH AN IRREGULAR ONE CM WHOLE IN THE VALVE AND SEVERAL CRACKS ELSEWHERE. HAD THIS OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED I DOUBT WE WOULD HAVE ESCAPED MAJOR INJURY.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank › Selector Devices
Filed Oct 4, 1999MD

RECALL # 91V146000 FUEL: FUEL TANK : AUXILLARY SELECTOR: FUEL FROM THE SECOND TANK GOES INTO THE FRONT TANK, CAUSING THE FUEL TO OVERFLOW ONTO THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VAN IS BEING DRIVEN. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Sep 28, 1999NE

NO SUMMARY.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Sep 4, 1998CT

BOTH GAS TANKS LEAK FROM WHERE THEY ARE WELDED TOGETHER. WELDS ARE LEAKING. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATED TO CONTACT MANUFACTURER. THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM. REPLACED ONE TANK, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS WITH THE OTHER TANK. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 25, 1998PA

TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN LESS THEN 60,000 MILES. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REPAIRED TRANSMISSION ON TWO OCCASIONS, BUT REFUSED TO REPAIR ON THE THIRD UNLESS COST IS PICKED UP BY THE CONSUMER. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 13, 1998MI

OIL PAN IS PREMATURELY RUSTING AND CORRODING WHICH COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF OIL. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ENGINE FEEZE UP IF THE OIL WERE TO CONTINUE TO LEAK. *SLC

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Fluid
Filed Feb 13, 1998CA

WHEN GOING DOWN HILL THE BRAKE FLUID GOT EXTREMELY HOT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE THE BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 23, 1998IL

PREMATURE WEAR OF CRANKSHAFT THRUST BEARING, CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO MALFUNCTION, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEEERING/BRAKES. *AK

Seats
Filed Oct 15, 1997MD

SEAT BACK ON DRIVERS SIDE COLLAPSED AS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. SIT WILLSTAY UPRIGHT BUT AS SOON AS YOU LEAN THE SEAT FALLS BACK.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Sep 12, 1997IL

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE FAN BELT SLIPS AND LOSE THREAD OF THE SERPENTINE BELT.OWNER HAS BELT REPLACED FIVE TIMES IN FIVE YEARS. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE 1991 ECONOLINE VAN. OWNER HAS REGISTERED A COMPLAINT WITH THE FORD MOTRO CORP.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Jul 29, 1996WI

BRAKES OVERHEAT/FAIL. *DH

Wheels
Filed Apr 24, 1996CA

KING PIN WHICH HOLDS FRONT WHEELS TOGETHER IS INOPERATIVE, CAUSES VEHICLE TO SHIMMY AND VIBRATE VIOLENTLY AT HWY SPEEDS, DEALER CAN'T CORRECT. *AK

20 of 24 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1994
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20260100Routine
20191200Routine
20180200Routine
20173100Routine
20163100Routine
20150100Routine
20140100Routine
20130100Routine
20121100Routine
20110100Routine
20101100Routine
20091100Routine
20070200Routine
20060200Routine
20050200Routine
200322430Routine
200223430Routine
200128520Routine
200039540Routine
199984740Routine
199846410Routine
199779422Fatalities reported
1996815121Fatalities reported
199573670Routine
19941246111Fatalities reported
199365560Routine
1992835111Fatalities reported
1991 — this page24310Routine
199030440Routine

Compare every Econoline 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: Apr 27, 1993. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.