FORD E-150 · model year

1993 FORD E-150

95 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1993FORDE-150 carries 95 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 10 crashes, 6 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1993 E-150 is vehicle speed control with 6 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (4) and fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 1993 E-150, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

95
Complaints
10
Crashes
6
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

95 filings

Crashes Reported

10 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE4
STEERING4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY4
TIRES4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)3
TIRES:TREAD/BELT3
WHEELS:RIM2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS2

Recent Complaints

20220707POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 1993 Ford E-150. The contact stated that upon attempting to pull into a parking space and turning the steering wheel, she heard an abnormal sound coming from underneath the front driver's side seat and the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact contacted AAA who inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the gear box had detached from the subframe. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front driver's side subframe had three holes and one of the holes had expanded significantly and needed to be welded prior to fastening the gear box to the subframe. The independent mechanic informed the contact that they could not weld the subframe. The dealer was notified and informed the contact that the next availability was in approximately two months. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200

Mileage: 200,000

20220707SUSPENSION:SUBFRAME/MOUNTING BRACKET

The contact owns a 1993 Ford E-150. The contact stated that upon attempting to pull into a parking space and turning the steering wheel, she heard an abnormal sound coming from underneath the front driver's side seat and the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact contacted AAA who inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the gear box had detached from the subframe. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front driver's side subframe had three holes and one of the holes had expanded significantly and needed to be welded prior to fastening the gear box to the subframe. The independent mechanic informed the contact that they could not weld the subframe. The dealer was notified and informed the contact that the next availability was in approximately two months. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200

Mileage: 200,000

20190624FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD E-150. WHILE FUELING THE VEHICLE AT A FUEL STATION, THE FUEL WOULD LEAK OUT FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY AND CALLED FIRMIN FORD (LOCATED AT 921 E MAIN ST, LAURENS, SC 29360, (864) 682-3111) TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.

Mileage: 186,000

20150828TIRES

I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 WHEN MY VEHICLE STARTED THUMPING AND VIBRATING ERRATICALLY AND STEERING WAS VERY HARD TO CONTROL. I EXITED IMMEDIATELY TO FIND THAT MY TIRE HAD A HUGE BULGE A LITTLE LARGER THAN A SOFTBALL. A MAN STOPPED AND SAID I SHOULD BE OKAY TO DRIVE THE 2 MILES I HAD LEFT TO GET HOME. WHEN I BACKED OUT TO DRIVE HOME THE BULGE POPPED EXPOSING BROKEN PLY CORDS AND TREAD SEPARATION.

Mileage: 36,350

20130308STEERING

DRIVING HOME FROM SHOPPING I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND UPON INSPECTION THE 2 MOUNTING BOLTS HOLDING THE GEARBOX TO THE FRAME RAIL HAD SHEARED OFF AND THE 3RD ONE HAD RIPPED THROUGH THE FRAME RAIL COMPLETELY AND DROPPED THE GEARBOX HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THERE ARE STRESS CRACKS AROUND THE MOUNTING HOLES FOR THE GEARBOX BOLTS. *TR

Mileage: 143,000

20130308STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

DRIVING HOME FROM SHOPPING I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND UPON INSPECTION THE 2 MOUNTING BOLTS HOLDING THE GEARBOX TO THE FRAME RAIL HAD SHEARED OFF AND THE 3RD ONE HAD RIPPED THROUGH THE FRAME RAIL COMPLETELY AND DROPPED THE GEARBOX HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THERE ARE STRESS CRACKS AROUND THE MOUNTING HOLES FOR THE GEARBOX BOLTS. *TR

Mileage: 143,000

20091116TIRES

I WAS DRIVING EAST, JUST PAST MONROE, LA, ON I-20 JUST PRIOR TO MILE MARKER 126 WHEN THE RIGHT PASSENGER TIRE CAME OFF MY E150 1993 FORD VAN. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VAN TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD. THANKFULLY, THE RIM/TIRE, AND BRAKE CALIPER DID NOT HIT A VEHICLE; I FOUND IT ABOUT A HALF MILE PRIOR TO WHERE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VAN STOPPED. I THOUGHT I A BLOWOUT HAD OCCURRED BUT WHEN I LOOKED, THERE WAS NO RIM OR TIRE ON THE VAN. I BOUGHT THE VAN NEW IN LATE 1992 AND HAVE MAINTAINED IT WELL THROUGHOUT ITS LIFETIME. HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN? JUST PRIOR TO GETTING TO MONROE, THERE WAS A WOBBLE IN THE STEERING LIKE A BIG GUST OF WIND HAD HIT IT OR I HAD STRUCK A RECAP. I GOT OUT AND CHECKED BUT FOUND NOTHING UNUSUAL. I DROVE ON TO MONROE AND ATE LUNCH AT CHILI'S. SHORTLY AFTER GETTING BACK ON I-20 IS WHEN THIS EPISODE HAPPENED. A LOT OF PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. WEATHER WAS CLEAR WITH LIGHT BREEZE AND NO RAIN. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO

Mileage: 176,000

20091116STRUCTURE

I WAS DRIVING EAST, JUST PAST MONROE, LA, ON I-20 JUST PRIOR TO MILE MARKER 126 WHEN THE RIGHT PASSENGER TIRE CAME OFF MY E150 1993 FORD VAN. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VAN TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD. THANKFULLY, THE RIM/TIRE, AND BRAKE CALIPER DID NOT HIT A VEHICLE; I FOUND IT ABOUT A HALF MILE PRIOR TO WHERE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VAN STOPPED. I THOUGHT I A BLOWOUT HAD OCCURRED BUT WHEN I LOOKED, THERE WAS NO RIM OR TIRE ON THE VAN. I BOUGHT THE VAN NEW IN LATE 1992 AND HAVE MAINTAINED IT WELL THROUGHOUT ITS LIFETIME. HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN? JUST PRIOR TO GETTING TO MONROE, THERE WAS A WOBBLE IN THE STEERING LIKE A BIG GUST OF WIND HAD HIT IT OR I HAD STRUCK A RECAP. I GOT OUT AND CHECKED BUT FOUND NOTHING UNUSUAL. I DROVE ON TO MONROE AND ATE LUNCH AT CHILI'S. SHORTLY AFTER GETTING BACK ON I-20 IS WHEN THIS EPISODE HAPPENED. A LOT OF PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. WEATHER WAS CLEAR WITH LIGHT BREEZE AND NO RAIN. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO

Mileage: 176,000

20090421STEERING

WIFE WAS DRIVING VAN OUT OF DRIVEWAY HEARD A LOUD SNAPPING SOUND AND SHE LOST STEERING AND BRAKES WENT OUT SHE DID NOT MAKE IT TOO THE ROAD I WENT OUT AND LOOKED AT VAN AND THE STEERING BOX BOLTS HAD SNAPPED OFF CAUSING THE STEERING BOX TOO HIT BRAKE LINE VAN WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP REPAIRS ARE PENDING. *TR

Mileage: 145,000

20080408VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

NON RESPONSIVE TO RECALL FIX. *TR

20080304ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

FORD RECALL 05S28 OF THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. I WAS CONTACTED BY FORD TO BRING MY E-150 VAN IN FOR A RECALL ON MY SCDS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION TO WADE FORD IN SMYRNA, GA. 30080. THEY DISCONNECTED THE SCDS AND SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT WOULD BE OCT. BEFORE THEY WERE AVAILABLE. I HAVE WAITED PATIENTLY WHILE FORD TOOK THEIR TIME TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CALLED EVERY MONTH TO GET MY VEHICLE REPAIRED AND FINALLY ON FEB. 29, 2008 I WAS TOLD BY DAVE CHANCE A SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THEY FINALLY HAD THE PARTS TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THEY ASSURED ME THAT THEY HAD THE PARTS TO MAKE THE REPAIR AND I SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD TAKE 1 TO 2 HOURS TO DO. MY APPOINTMENT WAS FOR MARCH 4, 2008 AT 8:00 AM. I ARRIVED AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 7:45 AM AND WAS CHECKED IN AND TOLD THAT I COULD WAIT IN THEIR WAITING ROOM TILL THEY WERE DONE. AT 8:55 AM THE SERVICE ADVISOR DAVE CHANCE CAME

20070831CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACTS OWNS A 1993 FORD E150. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN APPLY THE BRAKES FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000. UPDATED 01-16-08. *KB THE MECHANIC STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE. THE CONSUMER HAS CRASHED INTO MAILBOXES CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE. UPDATED *JB

Mileage: 127,000

20070827VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FORD RECALL #05S28 INDICATES A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD IN MY "SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH" WHICH MAY LEAK CAUSING A UNDERHOOD FIRE. FORD WANTS TO PUT A FUSE IN THE WIRING HARNESS TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. WHY WOULD FORD NOT WANT TO CHANGE THE SCDS SWITCH THAT MIGHT BE LEAKING INSTEAD? *TR

20060915STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

1993 FORD E150 VAN FRAME CRACKED AROUND BOLT HEADS THAT HOLD STEERING BOX ON, CAUSING ERRATIC STEERING

Mileage: 94,200

20041012STRUCTURE

FROM THE DATE THE CONVERSION VAN WAS PURCHASE, THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. THE VAN WOULD NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT, IT WANDERED ALL OVER THE ROAD. OVER THE YEARS IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM THE BALL JOINTS AND STEERING GEAR HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. *JB

Mileage: 60,000

20040405FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

I HAVE A 1993 FORD E150 CONVERSION VAN WITH AT, ABS,PS, PW, PL, TV, VCR, AND TYPE N ENGINE (V8 5.0). I WENT TO FILL UP WITH GASOLINE AND IT APPEARS THAT THE VENT PIPE LEAKS. HAS THIS PROBLEM BEEN IDENTIFIED BY OTHER OWNERS? *JB

20031028FireEQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

A/C AND HEATER BLOWER SWITCHS ARE TO LIGHT FOR THE APLICATION ELETRICAL SYSTEM DRAWS TO MANY AMPS. BURNS UNDERDASH WIRING AND WILL CAUSE FIRES. MARKIII AND FORD BOTH USE THE SAME MANUFACTURE SWITCHS FRO THE INDAK CORP.*AK

20031028FireVISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

A/C AND HEATER BLOWER SWITCHS ARE TO LIGHT FOR THE APLICATION ELETRICAL SYSTEM DRAWS TO MANY AMPS. BURNS UNDERDASH WIRING AND WILL CAUSE FIRES. MARKIII AND FORD BOTH USE THE SAME MANUFACTURE SWITCHS FRO THE INDAK CORP.*AK

20031028FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

A/C AND HEATER BLOWER SWITCHS ARE TO LIGHT FOR THE APLICATION ELETRICAL SYSTEM DRAWS TO MANY AMPS. BURNS UNDERDASH WIRING AND WILL CAUSE FIRES. MARKIII AND FORD BOTH USE THE SAME MANUFACTURE SWITCHS FRO THE INDAK CORP.*AK

20030501FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

1993 FORD E-150 VAN LEAKS FUEL FROM TANK (NOT FILLER NECK) DURING FILLUP. UNABLE TO COMPLETELY FILL TANK BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.

Mileage: 50,000

Compare 1993FORDE-150 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1993 FORD E-150 have?
The 1993 FORD E-150 has 95 NHTSA complaints, 10 crashes, 6 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 FORD E-150?
The most-complained component for the 1993 FORD E-150 is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP.
Is the 1993 FORD E-150 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.