Total Complaints
180 filings
FORD E-150 · model year
180 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1994FORDE-150 carries 180 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 14 fires, 6 injuries, and 2 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 1994 E-150 is vehicle speed control with 15 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (13) and steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion) (9). 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 1994 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.
Total Complaints
180 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 15 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 13 |
| STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | 9 |
| STEERING | 8 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 8 |
| TIRES | 6 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 6 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 4 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 4 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP | 4 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL | 4 |
See attached document for complaint
See attached document for complaint
The contact owns a 1994 Ford E-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated she heard an unusual noise that sounded like something broke. The contact stated she continued to drive and the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with a fractured steering box. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
Mileage: 165,000
ON JAN 21ST 2020, WHILE MANEUVERING AT A GAS STATION, I HEARD A LOUD POP/CRACK. THINKING I HAD HIT A STANCHION, I WALKED AROUND MY VAN BUT - NO STANCHION. NOTHING TO SEE SO I GO ABOUT MY DAY. STEERING PULLED TO THE RIGHT, I CHECKED FOR LOW TIRE PRESSURE - PRESSURE, OK. 40 MILES OF FREEWAY DRIVING LATER, I TAKE THE VAN TO THE GARAGE - STEERING FEELS LOOSE. AFTER INSPECTION, THE DANGER I WAS IN, AND THE THREAT I WAS TO THOSE AROUND ME ON THE ROAD, WAS MOST APPARENT. THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS LOOSE FROM THE FRAME, ONE BOLT HAVING SHEERED OFF. AND THE FRAME ITSELF CRACKED. IMAGINE MY SURPRISE WHEN FINDING THAT FATIGUE FAILURE AT THIS PART OF THE FRAME WAS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET AND YET, AS AN ORIGINAL OWNER, I HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THIS KNOWN AND DANGEROUS DESIGN DEFECT BY FORD MOTOR CO OR LANDMARK FORD. HOW MANY VANS OF THE SAME VINTAGE ARE STILL ON THE ROAD ?? HOW MANY ARE SAFE TO DRIVE ALONG SIDE?? I GUESS I AM LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO WRITE THIS NOTE,
Mileage: 170,000
VERY WOBBLY LOOSE STEERING. SCARY TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE STEERING ISN'T RELIABLE. FEELS LIKE IT WILL JUST GO OFF THE ROAD OR INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. HAVENT DRIVEN IT MUCH SINCE.
Mileage: 165,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE THREE BOLTS HAD BECOME LOOSELY CONNECTED ASSOCIATED WITH THE STEERING. THE CONTACT TIGHTENED THE WASHER AS AN INTERIM REPAIR TO PREVENT A POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Mileage: 135,000
I WAS DRIVING AND CAME THRU THE TUNNEL,AND STOP BY MALL TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT.WHILE PARKING MY STEERING GEAR BOX BROKE AWAY FROM THE FRAME,CAUSING ME TO HAVE NO STEERING.IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPEN 10 MINUTES EARLIER OR AFTER I WOULD HAVE LEFT THE MALL GOING THRU THE TWO LANE MIDTOWN TUNNEL I WOULD HAVE HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY.IS THIS SOMETHING FORD KNEW ABOUT AND DID NO RECALL.THE BOLTS ARE BAD AND I RESEARCHED AND IT HAPPEN TO ALOT OF PEOPLE'S DRIVING THAT TYPE.MY VAN IN THE SHOP AND I DO THINK FORD SHOULD FOOT THE REPAIR BILL.I LOVE MY VAN.HAVE A MUSTANG TOO IT'S JUST THE IDEA I COULD HAVE KILLED SOME ONE OR MYSELF.PLEASE IF I CAN HAVE SOME FEED BACK ON THIS ISSUE OR EVEN WHO ELSE I COULD CONTACT REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
Mileage: 140,000
HOPE THIS ISN'T A DUP; I STARTED A REPORT YESTERDAY, BUT DON'T THINK I COMPLETED IT. ASKED TO DO SOME WORK ON MY 1994 CLUB WAGON (167K MI), AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOUND A CRACK ON THE LOWER SIDE OF THE FRAME, BENEATH THE STEERING BOX. HE WOULDN'T DO THE WORK. SUBSEQUENTLY A BODY SHOP FOUND THERE WERE ACTUALLY TWO CRACKS, ONE ON THE INBOARD SIDE OF THE FRAME, RADIATING FROM THE STEERING BOX MOUNTING HOLE, TRAVELING BACK AND DOWN, AROUND THE LOWER CORNER OF THE FRAME, THEN FORWARD ABOUT 3" ON THE LOWER FACE OF THE FRAME ,ALONG THE EDGE. THE LAST 2" OF THE CRACK WERE OPEN, WITH ABOUT A 2MM GAP. THE CRACK ON THE OPPOSITE FACE TRAVELED IN AN ARC OF PERHAPS 60 DEGREES CENTERED ON THE MOUNTING BOLT HOLE, ABOUT 2" FROM THE CENTER, THEN DIAGONALLY DOWN TO THE LOWER EDGE, THEN BACK A COUPLE OF INCHES ALONG THAT LOWER EDGE. BOTH LOOK LIKE FATIGUE DUE TO SB TORQUE ON THE FRAME. FORD WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM, PROVIDE A METHOD TO FIX IT, OR COMMENT ON THE POSSIBILITY OF FIXING IT. THE CORP
Mileage: 167,000
HOPE THIS ISN'T A DUP; I STARTED A REPORT YESTERDAY, BUT DON'T THINK I COMPLETED IT. ASKED TO DO SOME WORK ON MY 1994 CLUB WAGON (167K MI), AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOUND A CRACK ON THE LOWER SIDE OF THE FRAME, BENEATH THE STEERING BOX. HE WOULDN'T DO THE WORK. SUBSEQUENTLY A BODY SHOP FOUND THERE WERE ACTUALLY TWO CRACKS, ONE ON THE INBOARD SIDE OF THE FRAME, RADIATING FROM THE STEERING BOX MOUNTING HOLE, TRAVELING BACK AND DOWN, AROUND THE LOWER CORNER OF THE FRAME, THEN FORWARD ABOUT 3" ON THE LOWER FACE OF THE FRAME ,ALONG THE EDGE. THE LAST 2" OF THE CRACK WERE OPEN, WITH ABOUT A 2MM GAP. THE CRACK ON THE OPPOSITE FACE TRAVELED IN AN ARC OF PERHAPS 60 DEGREES CENTERED ON THE MOUNTING BOLT HOLE, ABOUT 2" FROM THE CENTER, THEN DIAGONALLY DOWN TO THE LOWER EDGE, THEN BACK A COUPLE OF INCHES ALONG THAT LOWER EDGE. BOTH LOOK LIKE FATIGUE DUE TO SB TORQUE ON THE FRAME. FORD WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM, PROVIDE A METHOD TO FIX IT, OR COMMENT ON THE POSSIBILITY OF FIXING IT. THE CORP
Mileage: 167,000
I PURCHASED THIS 1994 FORD E-150 CLUBWAGON FROM A PRIVATE OWNER IN 08/2008, IT WAS AND STILL IS IN BETTER THAN GOOD CONDITION. IT HAD A RECALL TO REPLACE A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS WHICH WAS DONE IN 12/2008. IN EARLY SPRING OF 2009, I JUST BOUGHT A NEW SET OF TIRES AND GOT A FRONT END ALIGNMENT, ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER, I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR ON A BUSY FOUR LANE STREET, WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND MY VAN BEGAN TO SHAKE VERY VIOLENTLY. AT THE SAME TIME I WAS PASSING A REPAIR SHOP, I GOT THE VAN UNDER CONTROL AND PULL IN. BEING A CERTIFIED MECHANIC MYSELF I BEGAN TO EXAMINE THE STEERING LINKAGE, EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE, WHEN THE SHOP MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE LOWER STEERING GEARBOX BOLT HAD WENT THROUGH THE FRAME AND HAD BROKE AT THE THREADS. AFTER PUTTING IT IN THE SHOP A FEW TIMES, WITH SHORT TERM SUCCESS, THAT PARTICULAR AREA OF THE FRAME CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS. WHAT STARTED OUT AS A SMALL HOLE, AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS AT THE SHOP, HAS NOW BECOME LARGER. I CHECKED
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE HE WAS FUELING THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL CONTINUED TO LEAK UNTIL THE TANK WAS 1/3 FULL AND IT STOPPED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
Mileage: 140,000
I'M HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING RECALLS DONE AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. I CALLED LAST WEEK TO SCHEDULE A TIME TO GET FIXED AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN ANYTIME NEXT WEEK AFTER TUESDAY. I DID JUST THAT AND THEY TOLD ME THEY STOPPED DOING RECALLS FOR NOW. WE DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER OPTIONS OTHER THEN TAKING OUT OF TOWN AN 1 HOUR AWAY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD E-150 ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND THE BRAKE FLUID WAS VERY LOW. IN ADDITION, THE SPEED CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND FAILED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AND THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEED BRAKE FLUID AND THAT THE SPEED CONTROL FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CHARGE THE CONTACT $110 FOR OVERAGE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHILE REPAIRING THE VEHICLE UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT HAS HANDICAPPED TRIPLETS AND THE BRAKES AND SPEED CONTROL ARE A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 08/18/08 *BF THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. UPDATED 08/19/08 *JB
Mileage: 50,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD E-150 ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND THE BRAKE FLUID WAS VERY LOW. IN ADDITION, THE SPEED CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND FAILED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AND THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEED BRAKE FLUID AND THAT THE SPEED CONTROL FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CHARGE THE CONTACT $110 FOR OVERAGE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHILE REPAIRING THE VEHICLE UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT HAS HANDICAPPED TRIPLETS AND THE BRAKES AND SPEED CONTROL ARE A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 08/18/08 *BF THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. UPDATED 08/19/08 *JB
Mileage: 50,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD E-150 ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND THE BRAKE FLUID WAS VERY LOW. IN ADDITION, THE SPEED CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND FAILED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AND THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEED BRAKE FLUID AND THAT THE SPEED CONTROL FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CHARGE THE CONTACT $110 FOR OVERAGE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHILE REPAIRING THE VEHICLE UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT HAS HANDICAPPED TRIPLETS AND THE BRAKES AND SPEED CONTROL ARE A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 08/18/08 *BF THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. UPDATED 08/19/08 *JB
Mileage: 50,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD E-150 ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND THE BRAKE FLUID WAS VERY LOW. IN ADDITION, THE SPEED CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND FAILED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AND THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEED BRAKE FLUID AND THAT THE SPEED CONTROL FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CHARGE THE CONTACT $110 FOR OVERAGE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHILE REPAIRING THE VEHICLE UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT HAS HANDICAPPED TRIPLETS AND THE BRAKES AND SPEED CONTROL ARE A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 08/18/08 *BF THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. UPDATED 08/19/08 *JB
Mileage: 50,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD E-150 ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND THE BRAKE FLUID WAS VERY LOW. IN ADDITION, THE SPEED CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND FAILED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AND THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEED BRAKE FLUID AND THAT THE SPEED CONTROL FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CHARGE THE CONTACT $110 FOR OVERAGE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHILE REPAIRING THE VEHICLE UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT HAS HANDICAPPED TRIPLETS AND THE BRAKES AND SPEED CONTROL ARE A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 08/18/08 *BF THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. UPDATED 08/19/08 *JB
Mileage: 50,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD E150. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. AFTER THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO FIRST INSTALL A FUSE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK BEFORE BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. AFTER HE INSTALLED THE FUSE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY REFUSED TO MAKE THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED HIM TO HIS STATE'S ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,009.
Mileage: 110,009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD E150. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL IN DECEMBER OF 2007. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. ON MAY 7, 2008, HIS VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED THE WIRING HARNESS FUSE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE IS STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION. THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE HARNESS WAS ALREADY MELTED, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY FINANCIAL LIABILITY, NOR WOULD THEY ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000. UPDATED 5/30/08 *CN
Mileage: 108,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD E150. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL IN DECEMBER OF 2007. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. ON MAY 7, 2008, HIS VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED THE WIRING HARNESS FUSE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE IS STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION. THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE HARNESS WAS ALREADY MELTED, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY FINANCIAL LIABILITY, NOR WOULD THEY ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000. UPDATED 5/30/08 *CN
Mileage: 108,000
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
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.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.