103 of the
1,154 complaints filed about the Ford Econoline
are about the fuel system —
9% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1992.
VAN IS LEAKING FUEL FROM A CRACK WHERE IT CONTACTS THE FRAME MEMBER. THIS VAN WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL BEGINNING APRIL 19, 2001. I DID NOT OWN THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME, BUT APPARENTLY VEHICLE WAS NOT LEAKING SO IT WAS NOT FIXED. I DO NOT HAVE THE RECALL NUMBER. I OBTAINED THIS INFORMATION FROM A VIN LOOK UP AT HTTPS://DRIVING-TESTS.ORG/VIN-DECODER/ VEHICLE ONLY LEAKS FUEL WHEN FILLING UP AT THE GAS STATION. ONCE I STOP FILLING UP, THE LEAKING WILL DRIP, DRIP, DRIP UNTIL IT STOPS AND I CAN DRIVE OFF. NEXT TIME I WILL TAKE A PICTURE OF LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #11344274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL TANK DELAMINATION. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, SENDING UNIT AND FUEL PUMP ON MY E350 DIESEL VAN. FORD HAS HAD KNOWN ISSUES FOR SEVERAL YEARS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THE INSIDE COATING OF THE TANK PEELS AWAY AND CLOGS UP THE FUEL SYSTEM, THEN THEY TURN AROUND AND SELL YOU THE SAME TANK SO IT HAPPENS AGAIN. VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER AND WILL EVEN STALL.
NHTSA complaint #10915055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BEING EATEN AWAY THE METAL IS BEING USED FOR THESE BOLTS IS POSSIBLY THE WRONG STRENGTH OR MATERIAL THESE BOLTS WILL LET THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS LOOSEN AND COULD GHAVE EFFECTS TO POSE A FIRE AND OR FUMES TO ESCAOPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS VECHICLE IS PART OF A FLEET THATR HAS 190 UNITS AND ALL ARE EXPERINCEING THIS SAME PROBLEM. UPDATED 09/17/15*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10744893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS PROPANE LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN PROPANE TANK NEEDED TO BE LIFTED OFF THE SPRING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. UPDATED 4/7/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER PUT PROPANE/LIPI GAS LINES AROUND THE BACK TIRES. THE GAS LINES HAVE NO STRONG PROTECTIVE SHIELDS AROUND THEM. THE LIPI GAS LINE WAS SITTING ON TOP OF THE REAR LEAF SPRING. UPDATED 11/4/2015
NHTSA complaint #10650324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR HAD BEEN PRESENT SINCE THE DAY OF PURCHASE AND THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE THE SOURCE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AND LEAKING FUEL. THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 218,000.
NHTSA complaint #10542625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ECONOLINE RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A METAL STRAP CUTTING INTO THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,916.
NHTSA complaint #10537319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ECONOLINE E250 VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING TO CAPACITY, THE FUEL FILLER SHUT OFF FAILED, CAUSING GASOLINE FUEL TO SPILL BACK OUT ONTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
NHTSA complaint #10489083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ECONOLINE E150. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER REFUELING, THE FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V114000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY); HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. UPDATED 12/21/12*LJ UPON INSPECTION, THE RUBBER GAS FILLER HOSE TO THE GAS TANK WAS CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK WHEN FILLING THE TANK. THE REPAIR COST WAS $ 300. UPDATED 01.09.13
NHTSA complaint #10484521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ECONOLINE E150. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER REFUELING, THE FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V114000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY); HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. UPDATED 12/21/12*LJ UPON INSPECTION, THE RUBBER GAS FILLER HOSE TO THE GAS TANK WAS CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK WHEN FILLING THE TANK. THE REPAIR COST WAS $ 300. UPDATED 01.09.13
NHTSA complaint #10484521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ECONOLINE E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR END OF THE FUEL TANK HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS HAD BECOME COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN CAUTIOUSLY AND WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND INSTALLED A TEMPORARY STRAP FOR THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 76,000.
NHTSA complaint #10480958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS ON 101 SOUTH ON THE WALDO GRADE APPROACHING THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE. VEHICLE LOST POWER HALF WAY UP THE GRADE AND SLOWED TO 10 MPH. LIMPED VEHICLE TO OFF RAMP. I AM AN ASE CERTIFIED MASTER MECHANIC, I ALSO HOLD MY CALIFORNIA SMOG LICENSE. I'VE WORKED AS A MECHANIC FOR 30 YEARS. UPON GETTING THE VEHICLE HOME I DIAGNOSED THE CONCERN I FOUND THE FUEL TANK FULL OF METAL THAT HAD FLAKED FROMT HE WALLS OF THE FUEL TANK. I FOUND THE FUEL PICKUP IN THE TANK PLUGGED WITH FILINGS, THE FUEL PUMP RUINED, AND THE FUEL FILTER FULL OF METAL AND RUST. I SENT THE TANK TO WHO COATED THE FUEL TANK FOR ME. STATED THAT HE CONTINUOUSLY SEES THESE FORD TANK COMING FROM ALL THE DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH FORD FUEL TANKS. MY TOTAL COST FOR THIS REPAIR IN PARTS AND REPAIRS TO THE FUEL TANK HAS COME TO $1,200.00 WHOLESALE COST, NOT INCLUDING MY LABOR OR ANY PARTS RETAIL MARKUP. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW AND ALWAYS RUN GOOD QUALITY FUEL IN MY VEHICLE AND TOPPED UP THE TANK WEEKLY OR MORE OFTEN TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE IN MY FUEL SYSTEM. I HAVE NOT FILLED UP THE FUEL TANK AND RUN THE ENGINE YET, AND HOPE THAT THERE IS NO FURTHER DAMAGE TO MY FUEL INJECTORS OR FUEL SYSTEM. IF THERE IS I COULD BE OUT ANOTHER $4,000 TO 5,000 JUST IN PARTS. I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHY IF THERE SEEMS TO BE SUCH A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM OUR GOVERNMENT HAS NOT RECALLED THESE VEHICLES? IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT FORD IS PRODUCING VEHICLES WITH SUBSTANDARD FUEL SYSTEMS AND THAT THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT FORD IS NOT OWNING. THE PUBLIC SHOULD NOT BE HELD LIABLE OFR FORD'S DESIGN FLAWS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10459094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ECONOLINE E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK FRACTURED AND WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF UPDATED 2/9/2012
NHTSA complaint #10412311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 RECOURSE FOR THE FORD CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEMS AND EXPENSE THAT I HAVE. ALL THE MECHANICS THAT I HAVE TALKED TO WERE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. THAT ONLY ADDS TO MY DISMAY. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN MORE PUBLIC INFO ON THIS PROBLEM....WHY HASN'T THIS PROBLEM BEEN ADDRESSED BY FORD MOTOR CO. OR AT LEAST FAIRLY HANDLED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. AT THE VERY LEAST, I WOULD APPRECIATE SOME RECOGNITION THAT YOUR AGENCY IS AWARE AND LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
NHTSA complaint #10313670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10263730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE IS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE INSULATED PADS THAT PROTECT THE GAS TANK FROM BEING DAMAGED. THE PADS ARE RUBBING METAL TO METAL AND CAUSE THE GAS TANK TO CRACK AND LEAK FUEL. THE LEAK WAS DISCOVERED WHEN SHE SMELLED GASOLINE WHILE DRIVING. AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE FORD MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE AND REFUSED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10247562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I CALLED ABOUT A RECALL ON MY FORD E-150 ECONOLINE VAN IN AUGUST AND WAS TOLD THE PART WAS NOT IN. I CALLED AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS STILL NOT IN AND I WOULD BE PUT ON A WAITING LIST BUT I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN CALLED. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FIX A RECALL?
NHTSA complaint #10206033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.