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.
Feb 1995peak 3Oct 2003
Recalls on the 1990 Ford Econoline
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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1992077464,543 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
NOTE: ALSO INCLUDES SOME MEDIUM AND HEAVY TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE MAY MALFUNCTION WHICH CAN RESULT IN DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS THAT DIM, FLICKER OR GO OFF OR IN SOME INSTANCES MAY REMAIN ON AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. CORRECTION: DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recall 199117021,304 units in Canada
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.
Recall 19900776,163 units in Canada
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 44,000 milesSaint Louis, MOCrash4 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE GUARD RAIL. *AK *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10042344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morgan Hill, CAFire
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
FIRST, HEADLIGHTS CEASED TO FUNCTION, THEN ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED WIRING HARNESS UNDER HOOD FRIED B/O CURRENT WIRE RIGHT DOWN TO THE PIN PLASTIC ASSEMBLY ON FIRE WALL THAT LEADS TO WIRING UNDER DASH OF VEHICLE. SPARKING NOTICED AT WIRING HARNESS PIN CONNECTOR AT FIREWALL WITH CLICKING SOUND IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS WIRE B/O HOT WIRE HAS FRIED ITSELF. FIRST TIME AT ABOUT 40000 MILES IT FRIED THE FUSE LINK IN THE BLACK/ORANGE HOT WIRE LEADING DOWN TO THE FIREWALL PIN CONNECTOR. SECOND TIME, AFTER FUSE LINK WAS REPLACED, ENTIRE WIRE CAUGHT FIRE AND FRIED DOWN TO THE ROUND PLASTIC PIN CONNECTOR LEADING INTO THE CAB FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #707377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morgan Hill, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
FIRST, HEADLIGHTS CEASED TO FUNCTION, THEN ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED WIRING HARNESS UNDER HOOD FRIED B/O CURRENT WIRE RIGHT DOWN TO THE PIN PLASTIC ASSEMBLY ON FIRE WALL THAT LEADS TO WIRING UNDER DASH OF VEHICLE. SPARKING NOTICED AT WIRING HARNESS PIN CONNECTOR AT FIREWALL WITH CLICKING SOUND IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS WIRE B/O HOT WIRE HAS FRIED ITSELF. FIRST TIME AT ABOUT 40000 MILES IT FRIED THE FUSE LINK IN THE BLACK/ORANGE HOT WIRE LEADING DOWN TO THE FIREWALL PIN CONNECTOR. SECOND TIME, AFTER FUSE LINK WAS REPLACED, ENTIRE WIRE CAUGHT FIRE AND FRIED DOWN TO THE ROUND PLASTIC PIN CONNECTOR LEADING INTO THE CAB FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #707377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morgan Hill, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
FIRST, HEADLIGHTS CEASED TO FUNCTION, THEN ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED WIRING HARNESS UNDER HOOD FRIED B/O CURRENT WIRE RIGHT DOWN TO THE PIN PLASTIC ASSEMBLY ON FIRE WALL THAT LEADS TO WIRING UNDER DASH OF VEHICLE. SPARKING NOTICED AT WIRING HARNESS PIN CONNECTOR AT FIREWALL WITH CLICKING SOUND IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS WIRE B/O HOT WIRE HAS FRIED ITSELF. FIRST TIME AT ABOUT 40000 MILES IT FRIED THE FUSE LINK IN THE BLACK/ORANGE HOT WIRE LEADING DOWN TO THE FIREWALL PIN CONNECTOR. SECOND TIME, AFTER FUSE LINK WAS REPLACED, ENTIRE WIRE CAUGHT FIRE AND FRIED DOWN TO THE ROUND PLASTIC PIN CONNECTOR LEADING INTO THE CAB FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #707377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Babyl, NYFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
BRAKE CALIPERS FROZE CAUSING PADS TO OVERHEAT AND CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #605473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Dundee, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES ALL OF A SUDDEN AN FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS BURNED UP.
NHTSA complaint #809244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 44,000 milesSaint Louis, MOCrash4 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE GUARD RAIL. *AK *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10042344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lindenhurst, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER NOTICED A GAS SMELL INSIDE OF VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING. SAW GAS POURING OUT OF GAS TANK. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN REPLACED FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT.
NHTSA complaint #10039797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lindenhurst, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
CONSUMER NOTICED A GAS SMELL INSIDE OF VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING. SAW GAS POURING OUT OF GAS TANK. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN REPLACED FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT.
NHTSA complaint #10039797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Branch, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE FAN BELTS SNAP CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE BRAKE POWER. DEALER NOTIFIED
NHTSA complaint #10018131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmington, NM
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
GAS TANK DOES NOT WORK. CONSUMER CAN BE RIDING DOWN THE STREET AND AUTOMOBILE WILL CUT OFF. THIS HAPPENS WHEN RIDING ON REAR TANK ONLY.
NHTSA complaint #8006898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK, APPLIED BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. TO GAIN CONTROL, VEHICLE WAS PUT IN PARK. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #854870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lincoln PA, MI
WHEELS
THE ENTIRE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH BY HITTING THE GUARDRAIL. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) YH
NHTSA complaint #549330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lincoln PA, MI
WHEELS
THE ENTIRE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH BY HITTING THE GUARDRAIL. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) YH
NHTSA complaint #549330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lincoln PA, MI
WHEELS
THE ENTIRE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH BY HITTING THE GUARDRAIL. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) YH
NHTSA complaint #549330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNK, UN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-IOCK BRAKES FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #543125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE WAS BLOWING OUT FUEL. HAS DUAL FUEL TANKS. FUEL OVERFLOWED PAST FILLER CAP. FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE HAD MALFUNCTIONED. CALLED DEALER. VEHICLE NOT UNDER RECALL (991V14600) DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #843323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grand Rapids, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE PEDAL IS GOING STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR.ONLY ABLE TO BEAR DOWN AND USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #842838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morgan Hill, CAFire
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
FIRST, HEADLIGHTS CEASED TO FUNCTION, THEN ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED WIRING HARNESS UNDER HOOD FRIED B/O CURRENT WIRE RIGHT DOWN TO THE PIN PLASTIC ASSEMBLY ON FIRE WALL THAT LEADS TO WIRING UNDER DASH OF VEHICLE. SPARKING NOTICED AT WIRING HARNESS PIN CONNECTOR AT FIREWALL WITH CLICKING SOUND IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS WIRE B/O HOT WIRE HAS FRIED ITSELF. FIRST TIME AT ABOUT 40000 MILES IT FRIED THE FUSE LINK IN THE BLACK/ORANGE HOT WIRE LEADING DOWN TO THE FIREWALL PIN CONNECTOR. SECOND TIME, AFTER FUSE LINK WAS REPLACED, ENTIRE WIRE CAUGHT FIRE AND FRIED DOWN TO THE ROUND PLASTIC PIN CONNECTOR LEADING INTO THE CAB FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #707377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morgan Hill, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
FIRST, HEADLIGHTS CEASED TO FUNCTION, THEN ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED WIRING HARNESS UNDER HOOD FRIED B/O CURRENT WIRE RIGHT DOWN TO THE PIN PLASTIC ASSEMBLY ON FIRE WALL THAT LEADS TO WIRING UNDER DASH OF VEHICLE. SPARKING NOTICED AT WIRING HARNESS PIN CONNECTOR AT FIREWALL WITH CLICKING SOUND IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS WIRE B/O HOT WIRE HAS FRIED ITSELF. FIRST TIME AT ABOUT 40000 MILES IT FRIED THE FUSE LINK IN THE BLACK/ORANGE HOT WIRE LEADING DOWN TO THE FIREWALL PIN CONNECTOR. SECOND TIME, AFTER FUSE LINK WAS REPLACED, ENTIRE WIRE CAUGHT FIRE AND FRIED DOWN TO THE ROUND PLASTIC PIN CONNECTOR LEADING INTO THE CAB FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #707377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morgan Hill, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
FIRST, HEADLIGHTS CEASED TO FUNCTION, THEN ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED WIRING HARNESS UNDER HOOD FRIED B/O CURRENT WIRE RIGHT DOWN TO THE PIN PLASTIC ASSEMBLY ON FIRE WALL THAT LEADS TO WIRING UNDER DASH OF VEHICLE. SPARKING NOTICED AT WIRING HARNESS PIN CONNECTOR AT FIREWALL WITH CLICKING SOUND IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS WIRE B/O HOT WIRE HAS FRIED ITSELF. FIRST TIME AT ABOUT 40000 MILES IT FRIED THE FUSE LINK IN THE BLACK/ORANGE HOT WIRE LEADING DOWN TO THE FIREWALL PIN CONNECTOR. SECOND TIME, AFTER FUSE LINK WAS REPLACED, ENTIRE WIRE CAUGHT FIRE AND FRIED DOWN TO THE ROUND PLASTIC PIN CONNECTOR LEADING INTO THE CAB FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #707377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Babyl, NYFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
BRAKE CALIPERS FROZE CAUSING PADS TO OVERHEAT AND CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #605473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bradenton, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SPEED CONTROL IS ON AND APPLIED THE BRAKES, IT MOMENTARILY DISENGAGES THE SPEED CONTROL. AS SOON AND BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED, VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTS TO ACCELLERATE. OUT OF WARRANTY, DEALER NOT CONTACTED AND UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #829461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Antioch, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES OVERHEATED AND LOST POWER ON OCCASION. RECALL ON OTHER MODELS HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #487360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
OWNER CLAIMS THAT FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE GAS TANKS.
NHTSA complaint #817614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES: WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY EVERYTHING IS FINE. ATTEMPTED TO USE THE BRAKES AND HAD TO PUSH PEDAL COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR LIKE THERE WERE NO BRAKES AT ALL. HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #817155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Penfield, NY
WHEELS
LEFT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF VEHICLE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #519401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elmhurst, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
CALIPER SLIDE RAILS RUSTED.
NHTSA complaint #513734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hammet, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
OWNER HAS ABS BRAKES, WHILE DRIVING BRAKES GO OUT. ALSO, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #810109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Dundee, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES ALL OF A SUDDEN AN FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS BURNED UP.
NHTSA complaint #809244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baraboo, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
AFTER DRIVING FOR AN HOUR AT THE SPEED OF 35 TO 40 MPH THE FLUID STARTS TO BOIL WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKES TO FAIL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #810126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.