Total Complaints
71 filings
FORD ECONOLINE · model year
71 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1993FORDECONOLINE carries 71 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 7 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 ECONOLINE is vehicle speed control with 6 filings, followed by vehicle speed control:cruise control (5) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (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 1 investigation file overlapping the 1993 ECONOLINE. 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
71 filings
Crashes Reported
4 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 6 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 4 |
| INTERIOR LIGHTING | 4 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 4 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT | 2 |
| STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 2 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
Random Acceleration (Gas Pedal) when started from a cold start. When foot was not on any brake or gas pedal, van started to accelerate as if I had my foot on the gas pedal.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE GEAR BOX FRACTURED FROM THE FRAME. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Mileage: 110,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN THEY HEARD A LOUD SNAPPING NOISE. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE AND CONTINUED TO MOVE INSTEAD OF STOPPING AT A SPECIFIC POINT. NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOLTS SNAPPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 168,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 12/14/11 *CN
Mileage: 168,000
SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVACTION SWITCH. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN NOVEMBER OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE DEALER REISSUED A NEW RECALL NOTICE IN FEBRUARY OF 2008. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 309,997.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH. SHE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, BUT IT CAUGHT FIRE BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE POWERTRAIN AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 103,000.
Mileage: 103,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD ECONOLINE. WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE HOOD. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 94V128000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) WAS REFERENCED. THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES AND MELTED THE SIDING OF A HOUSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT SPOKEN TO THE DEALER. THERE WAS NO CURRENT MILEAGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 08/13/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED A WEEK PRIOR, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE FUSE, BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL STILL DIDN'T WORK. UPDATED 08/13/08. *JB
Mileage: 80,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD ECONOLINE. WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE HOOD. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 94V128000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) WAS REFERENCED. THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES AND MELTED THE SIDING OF A HOUSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT SPOKEN TO THE DEALER. THERE WAS NO CURRENT MILEAGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 08/13/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED A WEEK PRIOR, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE FUSE, BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL STILL DIDN'T WORK. UPDATED 08/13/08. *JB
Mileage: 80,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD ECONOLINE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. WHEN HE RAISED THE HOOD, THE VEHICLE IGNITED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED FORD RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 05S28 ON AUGUST 29, 2007. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, DEALER INFORMATION, AND MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 1993 FORD ECONOLINE VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. WHILE IN HIS VEHICLE SLEEPING ABOUT 4:00 AM THE NEIGHBORS KNOCK ON THE VAN TO INFORM THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. HE STATED THAT THE ENTIRE VAN WAS DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME, AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ANY TYPE OF PROBLEMS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 128000 . *AK
Mileage: 128,000
A FEW DAYS AGO I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL I CHECKED ALL OF THE FUSES FIRST AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. FINALLY I DROVE THE VAN AGAIN AND NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE DOME LIGHT AT THAT POINT I REMOVED THE LIGHT ITSELF AND NOW I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTING. I DID LOOK UP RECALL DEFECTS FOR 93 VEHICLES WHICH STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTING WAS A DEFECT. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SEEM TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF RECALL. THIS RECALL IS ON YOUR SITE AS ID # 94V128000 AND THE DEFECT IS 6088 INTERIOR LIGHTING. *JB
DT: THE CALLER SAID THERE WERE RECALLS 93V1000000 CONCERNING FUEL TANK AND 94V128000 CONCERNING INTERIOR LIGHTING , BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. SHE HAD THE WORK DONE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CALLER SAID VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, AND THE DOME LIGHT WAS BLOWING FUSES AND MELTING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER SAID THE CALLER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. *AK
Mileage: 157,000
DT: THE CALLER SAID THERE WERE RECALLS 93V1000000 CONCERNING FUEL TANK AND 94V128000 CONCERNING INTERIOR LIGHTING , BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. SHE HAD THE WORK DONE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CALLER SAID VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, AND THE DOME LIGHT WAS BLOWING FUSES AND MELTING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER SAID THE CALLER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. *AK
Mileage: 157,000
DT: FORD, ECONLINE 150 CONVERSION VAN 1993, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER BELIEVED IT WAS DUE TO THE CRUSE CONTROL, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, CONSUMER DIALED 911. WHEN FIRE DEPTPARTMENT CAME THEY HAD TO CUT AROUND THE LIFT LEVER OF THE HOOD, WHEN THE HOOD WAS REMOVED THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE MOTOR, THE WHOLE VEHCILE BURST INTO FLAMES, THE WHOLE ENGINE DASHBOARD MELTED. *AK
Mileage: 22,000
I OWN A FORD ECOLINE 150 FAMILY VAN (CUSTOM MADE). WELL JUST LAST WEEK IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON HE HIGHWAY. HE HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL, A.C. AND THE RADIO ON. I HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO US BEFORE. I DON'T KNOW IF IT DID TO THE PRIOR OWNERS. NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT WHEN HELP ARRIVED IT WAS TO LATE THE VAN WAS TOTALED.
WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE, SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING THROUGH THE FONT END. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT FRAME CRACKED AT THE STEERING BOX LEFT SIDE. *AK
Mileage: 98,000
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WATER AND ANTI FREEZE LEAKED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ALSO, VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED WHEN TURNING CORNERS. *AK
Mileage: 101,200
CONSUMER WAS PARKING AND STRAIGHTENING VEHICLE OUT WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO GARAGE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN MODIFIED TO A HANDICAP VAN.*AK
FUEL SMELL APPEARED SOON AFTER FILLING VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN STATED VENT AND FILLER HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHILE CHANGING MY OIL I HAD NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE AND WEAR MARKS WERE EVIDENT. IF A PIECE OF RUBBER HOSE WAS NOT PLACED AROUND THE HOSE FAILURE OF THE HOSE WOULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE.*AK
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.