The 2002 Ford Econoline has 4 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (6 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints23filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 3reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
2002 Ford Econoline in an NHTSA crash test
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage
NHTSA recall 03V282000 · Aug 5, 2003 · 64 vehicles
Problem: ON CERTAIN CUTAWAY CHASSIS CAB WITH THE SCHOOL BUS OPTION, TWO BRACKETS AND TWO OUTRIGGER MEMBERS ARE MISSING IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL TANK.
Risk: THE BRACKETS AND OUTRIGGER MEMBERS ARE INTENDED TO ENHANCE CRASH PERFORMANCE.
Fix: FORD WILL SEND TECHNICIANS TO THE OWNER'S LOCATION TO INSPECT AND ADD THE BRACKETS AND OUTRIGGERS AS REQUIRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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
2002 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*
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline
6
0
1
0
120,262 mi
Vehicle speed control
5
0
0
0
—
Steering Steering wheel/handle bar; Linkages › Tie rod assembly
2
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
2
0
1
0
—
Electrical system Wiring
2
0
1
0
—
Fuel/propulsion system
2
0
0
0
—
Engine
2
0
0
0
—
Structure Frame and members
1
0
0
0
—
Suspension Front › Springs › Coil springs
1
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline Storage
1
0
0
0
—
Tires
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Oct 12, 2017 · 150,000 milesEngine LEFT HOUSE FOR VACATION, GOT 75 MILES AWAY AT 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, AND ENGINE STARTED MAKING A POPPING SOUND. PULLED OFF ROAD AND CALLED A NEARBY MOBILE REPAIR COMPANY. THEY SENT OUT A MECHANIC, HE DIAGNOSED A BLOWN OUT SPARK PLUG, AND SAID THIS WAS COMMON FOR THE FORD V-10. MADE IT TO HIS SHOP, AND THAT'S WHERE IT SITS. ESTIMATES ARE OVER $4000 TO REPAIR.
Oct 15, 2013 · 280,000 miles · fireElectrical system DRIVING VAN ON HIGHWAY WHEN VAN BEGAN SMOKING. THEN FIRE. EVERYTHING WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *TR
Oct 8, 2012 · 76,000 milesFuel/propulsion system 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.
Jul 12, 2012 · 98,000 milesEngine TOOK THE VAN TO THE STORE. UPON RETURNING FROM STORE STARTED THE VAN, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION AS IF A BOMB WENT OFF. EVERYONE LOOKED BECAUSE IT WAS SO LOUD. TURNED THE VAN OFF AND RESTARTED IT. IT SOUNDED LIKE A DRAG CAR AT THE TRACK, NO EXHAUST SYSTEM AT ALL. TOOK COW OFF AND LOOKED INSIDE, FOUND THE SPARK PLUG WITH THE BOOT LAYING ON TOP OF THE VALVE COVER OR INTAKE, NOT SURE THERE IS NO ROOM AND JUST ENOUGH TO GET TWO FINGERS IN TO RETRIEVE IT. I HAD NOTICED A LITTLE TICKING EARLIER IN THE DAY LIKE AN EXHAUST LEAK, BUT DID NOT FIND ONE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT IS NOW. NOT SURE WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. *TR
May 6, 2012 · 96,517 milesFuel/propulsion system 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…
Jun 10, 2011 · 141,058 milesEngine and engine cooling › Engine 2002 FORD VAN - BLOWN SPARK PLUG. *TR
Jun 11, 2010 · 123,005 milesEngine and engine cooling › Engine 2002 FORD VAN - BLOWN SPARK PLUG. *TR
Mar 12, 2010 · 117,519 milesEngine and engine cooling › Engine 2002 FORD VAN - BLOWN SPARK PLUG. *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
DP05005 · opened Sep 22, 2005 · closed Jan 4, 2006SPARK 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 ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY…
