FaultScore report
Owners have filed 41 complaints about the 1989 Ford Econoline with NHTSA between 1995 and 2002. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
41
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
0 crashes, 1 fires
0 crashes, 3 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
FUEL EXPULSION
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
Risk: WHEN THE GEAR IS PLACED IN PARK, THE PARK GEAR WOULD NOTENGAGE, ALLOWING THE TRUCK TO ROLL FREELY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT PROPERLYSET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Fuel System
ON VEHICLES WITH DUAL FUEL TANKS, THE DUAL FUNCTION FUEL RESERVOIR (DFR) MAY MALFUNCTION ALLOWING SUPPLY FUEL TO BE DRAWN FROM ONE TANK AND A PORTION OF THE UNUSED FUEL TO BE RETURNED TO THE OTHER TANK. AS A RESULT, THE OTHER TANK COULD POSSIBLY BE OVERFILLED, RESULTING IN OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE MAY EXIST. CORRECTION: A DFR CONTAINING "O" RINGS MANUFACTURED FROM REVISED MATERIAL WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Powertrain
A SNAP RING WHICH LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE AND ALLOW THE PARK GEAR TO SLIDE REARWARD. THIS WOULD MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR AND COULD RESULT IN VEHICLE MOVEMENT EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SELECTOR IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION. CORRECTION: AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE SNAP RING REPLACED WITH AN IMPROVED SNAP RING. IN ADDITION, A REVISED TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH INCORPORATES A CAST STOP THAT WILL LIMIT PARK GEAR MOVEMENT EVEN IF A SNAP RING SHOULD FRACTURE.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VAN CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED AFTER BEING PARKED TWO HOURS. FIRE INVESTIGATORS DETERMINED CAUSE WAS AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON DRIVER'S SIDE. FIRE DAMAGED ADJACENT HOUSE AND NEARBY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #752385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN ENGINE FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
NHTSA complaint #550596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #504055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
INTERIOR VEHICLE FIRE CAUSED BY THE WIRING HARNESS AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #983087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DIFFCULTY SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGHWAY SPEED, HAD TO TURN OFF IGNITION TO STOP VEHICLE. DISCONNECTED CRUISE CONTROL, BUT THIS WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP SERVICE SAYS IT WAS THE ACCELEROMETER CABLE. DT
NHTSA complaint #770450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VAN CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED AFTER BEING PARKED TWO HOURS. FIRE INVESTIGATORS DETERMINED CAUSE WAS AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON DRIVER'S SIDE. FIRE DAMAGED ADJACENT HOUSE AND NEARBY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #752385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED 3 OUT OF 4 TIMES. THREE OF THE FOUR TIMES THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS ACCURRED FORD HAS TAKEN REPLACE THE PART MOSTLY FREE OF CHARGE. THIS TIME IN 2001 FORD WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND TELLS US TO BAD. WE FILL THAT BEING A REPEATED PROBLEM FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD IN GOOD FAITH TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM COMPLETELY ONCE AND FOR ALL. WE WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR OUR REPAIR COST. WE DID HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED AT OUR EXPENSE. WHEN WE WENT TO PICK UP OUR RV WILSON CORNELIUS FORD OF VALLEJO CA WHEN ASKED IF WE WOULD HAVE CONTINUIUS PROBLEMS TOLD US NOT TO USE THE GAS WHEN GONG UP HILL. THE ALSO CHARGED US FOR A REPAIR AND PERTS THAT WERE NOT COMPLETE AND REFUSED TO REFUND US THAT AMOUNT. WE HAVE HAD MORE THEN ENOUGH PROBLEM WITH FORD OUR RV AND THE SERVICE TECH NOT DOING THE REPAIRS PROPERLY. PLEASE HELP US..... ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL.
NHTSA complaint #750691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
FULLY TREADED TIRE THAT HAD BEEN MOUNTED AS A SPARE TIRE WAS USED AND LASTED FOR 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED AT 55 MPH. TREAD DEPARTED TIRE CARCASS IN ONE PEICE, DAMAGING SEVERAL COMPONENTS IN THE LEFT REAR QUARTER OF MY VEHICLE. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OTHERWISE. I HAVE CONTACTED CONTINENTAL GENERAL TIRE. *AK (TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)
NHTSA complaint #747728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE STALLS SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED MANY CONPONENTS (AIR AND FUEL FILTER, TFI MODULE, VAPOR SEPARATOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER)BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL. NLM
NHTSA complaint #556115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
CONSUMER SMELLED GASOLINE. STARTED TO OPEN GAS CAP, AND GASOLINE STARTED GUSHING OUT. SINCE THEN GASOLINE MILEAGE HAS GONE DOWN. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #875567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THIS VEHICLE HAS A SERIOUS DRIVEABILITY PROBLEM (THE ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING REPEATEDLY) AND FORD EITHER DOES NOT KNOW HOW OR DOES NOT CARE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MANY YEARS NOW AND FINALLY A JUDGE IN CALIFORNIA IS PREPARED TO DEMAND A RECALL. NOW WHY HAVEN'T YOU ALREADY DONE SO? IS IT BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED YET? OR HAVEN'T YOU RECEIVED ENOUGH LETTERS OR COMPLAINTS? THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PROBLEMS THAT I AM AWARE OF FROM MY SUBSCRIPTION TO MOTORHOME MAGAZINE. I AM SENDING YOU A LETTER IN THE MAIL WITH A COPY OF A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF FORD AND COPIES OF SOME OF THE ARTICLES FROM MOTORHOME MAGAZINE FROM PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE TYPE AND THE SAME SERIOUS STALLING PROBLEM. I WOULD HOPE YOU LOOK INTO THIS MOST SERIOUS PROBLEM AND REQUIRE FORD TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN HOT WEATHER. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR MANY YEARS NOW AND FORD IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. FINALLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT MAY FORCE FORD TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND I HOPE YOU WILL ISSUE A RECALL. THANK YOU. GREG EVANS
NHTSA complaint #730562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THIS VEHICLE HAS A SERIOUS DRIVEABILITY PROBLEM (THE ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING REPEATEDLY) AND FORD EITHER DOES NOT KNOW HOW OR DOES NOT CARE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MANY YEARS NOW AND FINALLY A JUDGE IN CALIFORNIA IS PREPARED TO DEMAND A RECALL. NOW WHY HAVEN'T YOU ALREADY DONE SO? IS IT BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED YET? OR HAVEN'T YOU RECEIVED ENOUGH LETTERS OR COMPLAINTS? THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PROBLEMS THAT I AM AWARE OF FROM MY SUBSCRIPTION TO MOTORHOME MAGAZINE. I AM SENDING YOU A LETTER IN THE MAIL WITH A COPY OF A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF FORD AND COPIES OF SOME OF THE ARTICLES FROM MOTORHOME MAGAZINE FROM PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE TYPE AND THE SAME SERIOUS STALLING PROBLEM. I WOULD HOPE YOU LOOK INTO THIS MOST SERIOUS PROBLEM AND REQUIRE FORD TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN HOT WEATHER. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR MANY YEARS NOW AND FORD IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. FINALLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT MAY FORCE FORD TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND I HOPE YOU WILL ISSUE A RECALL. THANK YOU. GREG EVANS
NHTSA complaint #730562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
WHEN CONSUMER FILLS UP GAS TANK GASOLINE COMES OUT THROUGH THE FILLER CAP AND FALLS ONTO THE GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #862722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES
CONSUMER NOTICED A PORTION OF UNUSED FUEL WAS RETURNING TO THE FRONT TANK WHEN THE FRONT TANK WAS FULL. ALSO, THERE WAS A A FUEL SPILLAGE WHICH WAS CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER NOTED THAT RECALL 93V125000/ FUEL TANK AUXILLARY SELECTED AND SWITCH DEALT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #858727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN ENGINE FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
NHTSA complaint #550596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS ENGAGED IN PARK, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL ROLLS AS IF NOT COMPLETELY IN GEAR. DLR HAS SEEN 4 TIMES, AND CANT FIND THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #849151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR WAS LEAKING FREEON. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE AIR CONDITIONER TO NOT COOL VEHICLE ONCE TURNED ON. HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, 2 YEARS AGO. WILL BE TAKING TO DEALER TO CHECK.
NHTSA complaint #838486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
I HAVE HEARD OF MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE AIR CONDITIONER OF SUCH FORD VANS THAT THEY LEAK FREON.EVEN FROM A/C REPAIR SHOP THEY SAID THAT IT WAS VERY COMMON WITH FORD REGARDING THIS LEAK. I THINK FORD SHOULD FIX THIS TO SAVE OUR OZONE LAYER FROM FREON LEAK. I WISH FORD WOULD FIX MY A/C. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #706624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
PROBLEM REPORTED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 91V14600, HOWEVER, FORD INDICATED THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE RESULTANT RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #700713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES
WHILE DRIVING TANK SWITCH OVER VALVE CAUSES OVERFLOW OF FUEL THROUGH NOZZLE WHERE GAS IS POURED IN. CONSUMER NOTES OF RECALL FOR PROBLEM, BUT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED.
NHTSA complaint #826683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE DEFECT WITHIN IGNITION SWITCH WILL CAUSE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS IS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *AK SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE OR WILL NOT WANT TO SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. AIR CONDITONER FAILED. POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTIONS. BRAKE LIGHT INOPERABLE. CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #824617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE DEFECT WITHIN IGNITION SWITCH WILL CAUSE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS IS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *AK SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE OR WILL NOT WANT TO SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. AIR CONDITONER FAILED. POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTIONS. BRAKE LIGHT INOPERABLE. CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #824617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE DEFECT WITHIN IGNITION SWITCH WILL CAUSE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS IS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *AK SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE OR WILL NOT WANT TO SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. AIR CONDITONER FAILED. POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTIONS. BRAKE LIGHT INOPERABLE. CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #824617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE DEFECT WITHIN IGNITION SWITCH WILL CAUSE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS IS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *AK SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE OR WILL NOT WANT TO SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. AIR CONDITONER FAILED. POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTIONS. BRAKE LIGHT INOPERABLE. CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #824617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE DEFECT WITHIN IGNITION SWITCH WILL CAUSE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS IS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *AK SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE OR WILL NOT WANT TO SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. AIR CONDITONER FAILED. POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTIONS. BRAKE LIGHT INOPERABLE. CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #824617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE DEFECT WITHIN IGNITION SWITCH WILL CAUSE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS IS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *AK SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE OR WILL NOT WANT TO SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. AIR CONDITONER FAILED. POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTIONS. BRAKE LIGHT INOPERABLE. CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #824617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CATALYTIC CONVERTER BECAME PLUGGED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO ENGINE STOPPED AND OVERHEATED.
NHTSA complaint #522915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
CATALYTIC CONVERTER BECAME PLUGGED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO ENGINE STOPPED AND OVERHEATED.
NHTSA complaint #522915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES
THE DUEL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING AN OVEFLOW CONDITION IN THE FRONT FUEL TANK, AND RESULTING IN AN OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. OWNER 'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #813918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.