The 1994 Ford Econoline has 6 safety recalls and 124 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (35 complaints).
Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints124filed by owners
Crashes · fires9 · 11reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths9 · 1reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 09E025000 · May 11, 2009 · 42,540 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 lighting
NHTSA recall 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009 · 16,270 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 control
NHTSA recall 08V051000 · Feb 4, 2008 · 225,000 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Vehicle speed control
NHTSA recall 06V286000 · Aug 1, 2006 · 1,200,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Risk: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
Problem: THE TRANSFORMER USED TO POWER THE NEON CENTER LIGHTBEAM CAN OVERHEAT AND CATCH ON FIRE.
Risk: THE OVERHEATING AND FIRES CAUSED BY THE NEON TRANSFORMER CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE LIGHTBEAM ASSEMBLY, THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE, AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: MARK III DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ASSEMBLIES TO ELIMINATE THE NEON LIGHTING FIXTURE IN THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE IT WITH INCANDESCENT LIGHTS OPERATING DIRECTLY FROM THE VEHICLE 12-VOLT BATTERY.
Parking brake › Conventional
NHTSA recall 93V194000 · Nov 23, 1993 · 106 vehicles
Problem: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE PARKING BRAKE APPLICATION FORCE FOR A FOOT OPERATED CONTROL SYSTEM SHOULD NOT EXCEED 125 POUNDS TO HOLD THE VEHICLE ON A 30% GRADE. INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL AND A WIRE HARNESS MAY INCREASE THE NEEDED PEDAL FORCE TO GREATER THAN 125 POUNDS TO SET THE PARKING BRAKE TO HOLD THE VEHICLE ON THE 30% GRADE.
Risk: THE INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE FOOT PEDAL AND THE WIREHARNESS MAY NOT ALLOW THE PARKING BRAKE TO FULLY SET. IF THIS OCCURS WHEN THEVEHICLE IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, IT MAY ROLL, CAUSING A CRASH.
Fix: FINAL STAGE MANUFACTURERS WILL BE INFORMED OF THIS CONDITION AND PROVIDED WITH PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS NECESSARY TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1994 Ford Econoline
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components
35
2
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline
16
0
2
2
96,500 mi
Steering Gear box (other than rack and pinion); Hydraulic power assist system
13
0
0
0
165,000 mi
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal; Linkages
13
0
4
1
136,000 mi
Electrical system Horn; Wiring
11
0
5
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline Storage › Tank assembly; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
11
0
0
0
—
Seat belts Front › Buckle assembly; Rear/other
10
0
0
0
—
Air bags Frontal
9
6
0
1
—
Wheels Multi piece; Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
8
2
0
6
—
Structure Frame and members; Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
7
0
0
0
—
Suspension Front › Control arm; Rear
6
0
1
0
—
Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission
6
0
1
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jan 27, 2021Seat belts seat belt not pulling out e40d trans starts out going in 3ed gear
Nov 24, 2014Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE TURN WHEEL TO LEFT HARD AT LOUD CRACKING SOUND AS IF SOMETHING WAS BREAKING. STOPPED GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER AND NOTICED A BOLT PULLED THROUGH AND BROKE THE FRAME WHERE THE BOTTOM BOLT WAS. GRABBED THE OTHER TWO AND THEY PULLED RIGHT OUT AND WE'RE SNAPPED OFF. HAD TO GET ANOTHER GEARBOX PUT ON WITH ALL THREE BOLTS AND 4 DAYS LATER WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT HARD LOUD POP AND LOOKED AND TOP RIGHT BOLT WAS SNAPPED OFF COMPLETELY. STEERING WAS WAY LOOSER AND MADE IT TO MY DESTINATION. NEXT MORNING TRIED TO PULL OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND LOUD POP ONCE AGAIN. THIS TIME THE GEARBOX WAS HANGING ALL THE WAY OFF. STEERING WHEEL JUST KEPT TURNING BUT WHEELS…
Jul 2, 2014 · 22,000 milesExterior lighting › Turn signal › Switch TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION TURN SIGNAL SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 10/8/14*CN UPDATED 3/24/2015 *JS
Aug 19, 2013 · 72,000 milesSteering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion) TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD ECONOLINE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSTANTLY VEER TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOBBLED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Feb 20, 2014Unknown or other YOU DON'T HAVE THE NINETIES! WHAT'S WITH THAT? I'D LIKE TO LOOK TO SEE IF THE CAR I HAVE WAS EVER RECALLED BEFORE I BOUGHT IT
Nov 29, 2008 · 165,000 milesSteering PLEASE REOPEN NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10254031. AFTER THIS INCIDENT I POSTED A WEB SITE DETAILING THE PROBLEM. SINCE THEN, I HAVE RECEIVED DOZEN OF INQUIRIES FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE IDENTICAL ISSUE. THE LATEST ONE CAME TODAY 12/31/2013, 5 YEARS AFTER MY EVENT. SEVERAL HAVE RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT PEOPLE HAVE DIED BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE, WITH THE FAILURE BEING INCORRECTLY DETERMINED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY AN ACCIDENT, RATHER THAN BEING DETERMINED TO HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. *TR
Feb 1, 2012 · 181,000 milesSteering TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BOLTS IN THE STEERING BOX FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,000.
May 30, 2010 · 200,000 miles · fireEngine and engine cooling › Engine MOVING TO NORTH CAROLINA IN A FORD ECONOLINE VAN, 1994. THE VAN STARTED SMOKING AND WHEN WE PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY THE SMOKE BECAME SO THICK THAT WE STARTED TO WALK AWAY TO OUR SECOND VEHICLE PARKED THE VAN. WHEN WE TURNED AROUND WE SAW AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF SMOKE AND REALIZED THE VAN HAD CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES BUT NONE OF THE CONTENTS WITHIN COULD BE SAVED. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA05005 · opened Mar 22, 2005 · closed Aug 2, 2006 · led to recall 05V388000ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD?S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A VACUUM THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE SCDS TO FAIL AND, IN CERTAIN SWITCH INSTALLATION ORIENTATIONS, CATCH FIRE.FORD IS ALSO INCLUDING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF 1998 EXPLORERS.FORD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURES IN THE 1998 EXPLORERS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE FACTORS CAUSING SCDS FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT CORRELATE WELL WITH THE OBSERVED FAILURE RATES ON THESE VEHICLES BY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE NON-RECALLED…
PE96024 · opened Mar 27, 1996 · closed Jul 18, 1996SEPARATION OF STEERING GEAR FROM FRAME THE BOLTS WHICH SECURE THE STEERING GEAR TO VEHICLE STRUCTURE MAY FAIL, ALLOWING THE STEERING GEAR TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME AND CAUSE INACCURATE STEERING AND/OR LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
PE94087 · opened Nov 18, 1994 · closed Mar 31, 1995TRNS OIL COOLER LINE FAILS FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT SYSTEM (SERPENTINE BELT) IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO ADDRESS CONCERNS RELATED TO BELT TRACKING OR WEAR.FORD MAINTAINS THAT THE SUBJECT CONDITION DOES NOT PRESENT AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO HIGHWAY SAFETY, ARGUING THAT THE LOW INCIDENCE OF FAILURES ALLEGING SAFETY CONSEQUENCES (I.E., FIRES, FLUID LEAKS, AND/OR ACCIDENTS) IS STRONG EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF THIS CLAIM.FORD HAS INDICATED RECEIPT OF 4,445 FIELD REPORTS AND 46891 WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING THE SUBJECT CONDITION. FORD MAINTAINS THAT THE LOW NUMBER OF REPORTED HOSE RUPTURES AND/OR FIRES, RELATIVE TO TOTAL BELT FAILURES, SHOWS THAT THE PROBLEM IS A DURABILITY CONCERN THAT PRESENTS VERY LITTLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.FORD INTENDS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMIN A SERVICE BULLETIN SCHEDULED FOR PUBLICATION THE WEEK OF MARCH 13,…