Owners filed 79 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 4 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
11
3
0
0
Tires › Tread/Belt
7
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
6
2
0
0
Tires
6
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
6
0
0
0
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
4
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
3
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
3
0
1
0
Suspension › Front
2
0
0
0
Seats
2
0
0
0
4 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.
Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport
Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
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.
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › Cables96V193000
Filed Oct 2, 19965,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. THE BATTERY CABLE HARNESS DOES NOT HAVE ADEQUATE PROTECTION FROM CONTACTING AND BEING DAMAGED BY THE RIGHT ENGINE MOUNT.
Risk. IF THE BATTERY CABLE OR STARTER WIRE INSULATION IS DAMAGED BY SUCH CONTACT, A SHORT TO GROUND CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN OVERHEATING OF THE WIRING AND POSSIBLE IGNITION OF SURROUNDING COMPONENTS.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CHAFING OF THE CABLE AND WILL ADD INSULATION AND A TIE STRAP TO THE BATTERY CABLE HARNESS.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Tires
Filed Nov 12, 2014WI
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
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 14, 2011MN
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 25, 201089,400 milesMI
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
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 24, 201082,000 milesMI
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
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 1, 2008TX
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
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 10, 2008CA
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.
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Apr 10, 2008CA
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.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 12, 2008TN
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.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 24, 2007NY
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
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 7, 2006130,000 milesMI
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.
Steering
Filed Jan 23, 2004100 milesMD
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
Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars
Filed Oct 1, 2003OH
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
Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jul 2, 2003126,500 milesFL
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
Unknown or Other
Filed May 16, 2003114,250 milesOR
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
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Apr 29, 2003TX
THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL DUE TO A FUEL TANK CRACK *NLM
Seats
Filed Apr 2, 2003OH
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Jan 23, 2003VA
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 › Linkages › Arm › Idler and Attachment
Filed Jan 13, 20034,500 milesNJ
STEERING CONTROL ARM SNAP.
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 18, 2002NY
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
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 5, 2002ME
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
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: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.