Owners have filed 31 complaints
about the 2001 Ford Econoline with NHTSA between 2001 and 2017.
The largest single group is the acceleration & cruise control.
Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 11 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 21
Against the median year of the Ford Econoline. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 50
9.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2001 Ford Econoline
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Acceleration & Cruise Control
825.8%
Median failure at 97,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
722.6%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 105,000 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
412.9%
Median failure at 38,000 miles
Tires
39.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Fuel & Propulsion
39.7%
Median failure at 75,000 miles
Suspension
26.5%
Stability & Traction Control
13.2%
Wheels
13.2%
Steering
13.2%
Electrical System
13.2%
0 crashes, 1 fires
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
325.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
18.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
433.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
216.7%
150,000+ miles
216.7%
When owners complained
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.
Jul 2001peak 3Mar 2017
NHTSA investigations into the 2001 Ford Econoline
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.
DP05005Opened 22 Sep 2005Closed 4 Jan 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN A...
Recalls on the 2001 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 20003011 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 210.1 - Tether Anchorages for Child Restraints. The vehicle was built without a child tether anchor bracket in the centre position of the second row seat. Also, the Owner Guide for the vehicle did not address the child seat tether anchor in this second row seat position. Correction: Tether anchorage was installed at the centre second row seating position and the Owner Manual was replaced with a new version providing the required written instructions.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 220,000 milesTallahasse, FLFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY LOUD BACKFIRE NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROADWAY AND FOUND A SMALL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A BLOWN SPARK PLUG THAT EJECTED FROM ITS HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 220,000.
NHTSA complaint #10351992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Cleveland, OHCrash
TIRES
NAR 02/10/2003. OHIO POLICE REPORT. TIRE BLEW OUT. VEHICLE SKIDDED OFF THE ROAD STRUCK A GUARDRAIL. THE REAR TIRE AND RIM WAS MISSING AND THE STUDS HAD BROKE OFF. TIRE BRAND, SIZE AND DOT # UNKNOWN. *TT
NHTSA complaint #10006851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pearlrive, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AROUND RADIO AREA, AND SPREAD TO ROOF/ BACK OF VEHICLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, AND PUT OUT FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #899808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 124,000 milesNiceville, FL
ENGINE
SPARKPLUG BLOWOUT
NHTSA complaint #10967391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesEast Stroudsburg, PA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
BUCKING, SHAKING, LOSS OF POWER. TIRES FELT OUT OF ALIGNMENT. STALLING AND ROUGH IDLE. LINING IN THE FUEL TANK PEELS OFF AND THE MATERIAL FROM THE LINING IS CLOGGING THE FUEL PUMP. THIS AFFECTS TRUCKS, VANS FROM THE YEARS 2000 UP. THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS .MUCH TRAFFIC TO BE NEGOTIATED UNTIL I FINALLY MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10840428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesCanton, MI
ENGINE
NUMBER 7 CYLINDER BLEW THE SPARK PLUG OUT. TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING SIGNS AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #10629796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesShawmee, KS
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE NUMBER ONE SPARK PLUG AND THE COIL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX TIMES AFTER THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT AN AFTER MARKET PART COULD BE INSERTED ON THE SPARK PLUGS TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
NHTSA complaint #10499931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesPort Charolette, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ECONOLINE. WHILE DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND RESIST ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE EXACT FAILURE. THE FUEL FILLER WAS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY TEN TIMES. THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10444383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kutztown, PA
POWER TRAIN
THERE IS A SMALL PLATE THAT HAS 2 ALLEN HEAD BOLTS HOLDING IT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT .THIS PLATE PUTS THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE BOLTS CAME LOOSE AND THE VAN ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO THE GARAGE DOOR EVEN THOUGH IT WAS IN PARK AND THE DRIVER WAS STANDING OUTSIDE,NEXT TO THE VAN
NHTSA complaint #10443886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kutztown, PA
STEERING
THERE IS A SMALL PLATE THAT HAS 2 ALLEN HEAD BOLTS HOLDING IT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT .THIS PLATE PUTS THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE BOLTS CAME LOOSE AND THE VAN ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO THE GARAGE DOOR EVEN THOUGH IT WAS IN PARK AND THE DRIVER WAS STANDING OUTSIDE,NEXT TO THE VAN
NHTSA complaint #10443886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 220,000 milesTallahasse, FLFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY LOUD BACKFIRE NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROADWAY AND FOUND A SMALL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A BLOWN SPARK PLUG THAT EJECTED FROM ITS HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 220,000.
NHTSA complaint #10351992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,000 milesMaple Shade, NJ
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
AMBULANCE ON FORD E-450 AND F-350 CHASSIS HAVE HAD MAJOR FUEL SYSTEM FAILURES. BOTH AMBULANCES IN THE PAST YEAR HAVE HAD THE LINING OF THE DIESELF FUEL TANKS RUST OFF AND GET PULLED INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE METAL FLAKES HAVE RUINED SENDING UNITS,FUEL PUMPS, DIESEL INJECTORS, FUEL FILTERS AND FILTER HOUSINGS. IT HAS CAUSED THE AMBULANCES TO STALL WHILE TRANSPORTING CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS TO THE HOSPITAL. IR HAS ALSO COST CLOSE TO $9000.00 TO FIX BOTH AMBULANCES. THE FIX WAS TO REPLACE ALL FUEL COMPONENTS FROM THE DIESEL TANK FORWARD TO THE DIESEL MANIFOLD.
NHTSA complaint #10285125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewes, DE
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
2001 FORD ECONOLINE TRUCK CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AFTER THE BRAKE SWITCH RECALL WAS REPAIRED. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RUMBLING/GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER VERIFIED THE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL BEARING WAS LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #10238249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewes, DE
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
2001 FORD ECONOLINE TRUCK CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AFTER THE BRAKE SWITCH RECALL WAS REPAIRED. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RUMBLING/GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER VERIFIED THE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL BEARING WAS LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #10238249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Americus, GA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE A 2001 FORD ECONOLINE WAGON VAN THAT WAS RECALLED ABOUT JUNE OF 2007 BECAUSE OF A DEFECT WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN AMERICUS, GEORGIA, THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY PARTS TO REPAIR THE CRUISE CONTROL. THAT IT WAS ON BACK ORDER. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 1 YEAR AND STILL THEY HAVE NOT OFFERED TO REPAIR THE CRUISE CONTROL THEIR REASON IS THEY DON'T HAVE ANY PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10227148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Green Valley, AZ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2001 FORD ECONOLINE WITH A RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING HIM THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT IN. DEALER STATED THEY ONLY GET AS MANY AS FORD RELEASES AND CAN'T HELP THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10222814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oklahoma City, OK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2001 FORD ECONOLINE RECALL FOR SPEED CONTROL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER TOLD HIM THE PART WAS NOT IN YET. HE WAS TOLD THE PART WAS IN AND WENT TO THE DEALER TO BE TOLD IT WASN'T FOR HIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10220603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
A WEEK AGO WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR OUR 2001 ECONOLINE TRUCK CONCERNING THE FUSED JUMPER HARNESS. WE ALSO SAW IT ON THE NEWS. WE CALLED THE FORD GARAGE HERE TO GET THIS REPAIRED AND THEY SAID TO CALL BACK IN APRIL. THIS VEHICLE IS USED EVERY DAY FOR WORK AND IT IS A GREAT CONCERN OF OURS THAT WE ARE DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE AND WERE TOLD TO WAIT A MONTH! THE DEALERSHIP HERE IN ROCHESTER MN. IS ROCHESTER FORD. IF THE PARTS AREN'T AVAILABLE, I WANT THIS DOCUMENTED THAT WE COULDN'T GET THEM. MRS SORENSEN
NHTSA complaint #10219887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crawfordville, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2001 FORD ECONOLINE WITH SPEED CONTROL SENSOR RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT BOTH VANS HAVE THIS RECALL CONCERNING THE SPEED CONTROL AND THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL AUGUST OF 2008 IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *KB THE SECOND VAN IS A 2001 FORD ECONOLINE. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH, BUT THEY DIDN'T INSTALL THE FUSED WIRING HARNESS PER THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10216108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburg, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THAT THEY WOULD DISCONNECT THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. HE STATED THAT HE WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE REMEDY. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07
NHTSA complaint #10202923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,000 milesBodega BAY, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DOES NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SPEED CONTROL RECALL. HE STATED THAT THERE WAS NO SAFETY WARNING LIGHT REGARDING A POSSIBLE FIRE. THE INSULATION ON ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRES IN THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS IMPROPERLY FUSED AND THE LOW-WEIGHT SHOCKS WERE INCORRECT AND FAULTY. HE STATED THAT THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH CONTAINED THE INCORRECT INSULATION. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07
NHTSA complaint #10202376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,266 milesGarnerville, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THERE WAS A VIBRATION OF THE VEHICLE, ACCOMPANIED WITH A FLUTTERING NOISE. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY FOUL-SMELLING VAPOR, WHICH ENTERED THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT A SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT DUE TO A WEAKENING OF THE ENGINE HEAD.
NHTSA complaint #10164895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesSpringfield, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY. ALSO, CLUTCH MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #10063229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesSpringfield, IL
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY. ALSO, CLUTCH MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #10063229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesHeathsville, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS BLOWING OUT BLACK SMOKE OUT THE TAIL PIPE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A VALVE COVER GASKET FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10053758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norwalk, CA
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT STABILITY PROBLEMS. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESIST IF THERE WAS A STRONG WIND, VEHICLE WOULD COME OUT OF THE ROAD OR CONSUMER COULD EASILY LOSE CONTROL. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL WAS SENSITIVE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THERE WERE FIVE TRUCKS IN THE MARKET THAT WERE DESIGNED THAT WAY, AND CONSUMER OWNED ONE OF THEM, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO.
NHTSA complaint #10041977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stamford, CT
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10033690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Cleveland, OHCrash
TIRES
NAR 02/10/2003. OHIO POLICE REPORT. TIRE BLEW OUT. VEHICLE SKIDDED OFF THE ROAD STRUCK A GUARDRAIL. THE REAR TIRE AND RIM WAS MISSING AND THE STUDS HAD BROKE OFF. TIRE BRAND, SIZE AND DOT # UNKNOWN. *TT
NHTSA complaint #10006851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.