Total Complaints
96 filings
FORD ECONOLINE · model year
96 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1996FORDECONOLINE carries 96 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 13 fires, 9 injuries, and 1 fatality. 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 1996 ECONOLINE is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 12 filings, followed by tires (7) and vehicle speed control (6). 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 1996 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
96 filings
Crashes Reported
8 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 12 |
| TIRES | 7 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 5 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 5 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4 |
| SEATS | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 3 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 2 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THE DOOR LATCH WOULD NOT RELEASE OPEN IN ORDER TO GAIN ACCESS OR EXIT THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAULTY DOOR CABLE. THE FAILURE INVOLVED BOTH SIDE DOORS AND REAR DOOR. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE DOOR CABLE KIT AND PERFORMED THE REPAIR HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 01/20/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE MECHANICS THAT OPERATES THE DOORS THAT CAN BECOME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CABLES OPERATING THE LATCHES CAN AND DO FAIL BECAUSE THEY ARE MADE OF VINYL AND IN TIME FAIL. UPDATED 01/20/12
Mileage: 50,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1996 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ON JANUARY 14, 2008 WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED FORD RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 05S28 THE FIRST WEEK IN MAY OF 2008. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 122,000.
Mileage: 122,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN FEBRUARY OF 2008. SINCE THAT TIME, HE HAS CALLED THE DEALER FIVE TIMES AND WAS INFORMED TO CALL BACK THE FOLLOWING WEEK. ON APRIL 2, 2008, HE WAS INFORMED TO CALL BACK IN AUGUST. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE, POWERTRAIN, AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 04/16/08 *BF UPDATED 04/16/08 *TR
1996 FORD ECONOLINE WITH FUSED JUMPER HARNESS RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING HIM THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CONSUMER IS VERY UPSET WITH THE UNSATISFACTORY WAY THIS RECALL IS BEING TAKEN CARE OF. *KB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH A FEW MONTHS AGO; HOWEVER, FORD IS CURRENTLY SENDING THE CONTACT ANOTHER LETTER STATING THAT THE PART THEY REPLACED WAS STILL DEFECTIVE, AND HE NEEDS TO MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT. THE LETTER REQUESTS THAT HE LEAVE THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER WHILE IT IS BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR YEARS AND WAS NOT AWARE THAT IT COULD CATCH FIRE. HE IS SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD ECONOLINE. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL AND DESTROYED ALL OF THE SWITCHES, BUTTONS, AND MIRROR ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. UPDATED 5/20/08 *CN
Mileage: 134,495
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD ECONOLINE. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 24 HOURS, IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY SOMETHING ELECTRICAL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. PERSONAL ITEMS THAT WERE IN THE YARD WERE BURNED AND DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED LAST NOVEMBER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CRUISE CONTROL NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 157,000. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF
Mileage: 157,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD ECONOLINE. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 24 HOURS, IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY SOMETHING ELECTRICAL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. PERSONAL ITEMS THAT WERE IN THE YARD WERE BURNED AND DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED LAST NOVEMBER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CRUISE CONTROL NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 157,000. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF
Mileage: 157,000
THE MORNING OF 23 DEC 2006 AROUND 5:00 AM, MY 1196 FORD ECONOLINE CONVERSION VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DUE TO THE INTENSE HEAT MY HOME SUFFERED FIRE DAMAGE AS WELL. THERE WERE NO KNOWN MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN. IT WAS RUNNING LIKE A CHAMP UNTIL THIS INCIDENT.
Mileage: 113,000
1996 FORD ECONOLINE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPEATEDLY CAUSED THE VAN TO BREAK DOWN. *KB THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR SEIZED AND THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND THE ABS, AIR BAG AND ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. *JB
Mileage: 20,000
1996 FORD ECONOLINE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPEATEDLY CAUSED THE VAN TO BREAK DOWN. *KB THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR SEIZED AND THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND THE ABS, AIR BAG AND ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. *JB
Mileage: 20,000
1996 FORD ECONOLINE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPEATEDLY CAUSED THE VAN TO BREAK DOWN. *KB THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR SEIZED AND THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND THE ABS, AIR BAG AND ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. *JB
Mileage: 20,000
1996 FORD ECONOLINE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPEATEDLY CAUSED THE VAN TO BREAK DOWN. *KB THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR SEIZED AND THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND THE ABS, AIR BAG AND ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. *JB
Mileage: 20,000
1996 FORD ECONOLINE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPEATEDLY CAUSED THE VAN TO BREAK DOWN. *KB THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR SEIZED AND THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND THE ABS, AIR BAG AND ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. *JB
Mileage: 20,000
1996 CLUB WAGON CHATEAU THEFT ALARM CAME ON/OFF CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO START THE NEXT MORNING. *TS THE ALARM ONCE AGAIN SOUNDED AND WAS TURNED OFF. A FEW HOURS LATER THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH HAD FAILED PRIOR TO THE CONSUMER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED IN THE FIRE. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *NM
DRIVING DOWN EXPRESSWAY, STOPPED TO DROP NEWPHEW OFF VAN SMELLED HOT/BURNING OPENED HOOD FIRE PRESENT. CRUISE CONTROL PART ON RECALL FOR OTHER FORDS STARTED FIRE. PUT FIRE OUT. FORD REFUSES TO PAY FOR PART EVEN THOUGH EXACT PART ON RECALL, BECAUSE IT IS ON A VAN NOT A TRUCK. IT IS STILL THE SAME FAULTY PART AS THE TRUCKS. HAS BURNED CRUISE CONTROL, BRAKE FLUID CHAMBER ELECTRICAL WIRES UNDER IT AND SHORTED OUT ALTERNATOR. *NM
Mileage: 111,000
DT: THE CONTACT STATED CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP REPLACED A 15 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE HOURS IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL. UPDATED 12/07/05. *JB
Mileage: 98,000
ON SUNDAY MORNING AT ABOUT 6 AM THE ALARM OF OUR VAN WENT OFF. IT WOKE US UP. THE ENGINE OF THE VAN WAS ON FIRE. WE CALLED THE 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME. MY HUSBAND TRIED TO USE THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT HE COULD NOT OPEN THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT THE FIRE.THE LAST TIME I DROVE THE VAN WAS ABOUT 8:30 PM ON SATURDAY NIGHT. IT WAS FINE THEN WHILE IT WAS BURNING IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO START. ONE FIREMAN SAID THAT SOUND WAS FROM THE WIRES BURNING OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. IT IS A 1996 FORD [XXX] FORD E 350 LIMITED REGENCY THE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT79362. A STICKER ON THE WINDSHIELD SAYS BUILT WITH PRIDE ECONOLINE BY LORAIND OHIO ASSEMBLY UAW 425 2000. WE ARE VERY THANKFUL FOR THE CAR ALARM. WE WERE NOT DUE TO WAKE UP UNTIL AN HOUR LATER. WE THINK IT IS TOTALED BECAUSE THE WHOLE FRONT SIDE IS BURNED AND THE WINDSHIELD BROKE. ALL THE SEATS ARE STILL IN GOOD SHAPE. THE POLICE CAME TO THE SCENE BUT WHEN WE WENT TO GET THE REPORT WE FOUND THAT THE POLICE MAN DID
Mileage: 79,362
DT: THE CONTACT BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES AROUND JUNE-2002. 3 FAILED. THE FIRST ONE FAILED IN 6-04, THE SECOND ONE BLEW OUT IN 3-05, AND THE THIRD ONE FAILED ON 8-15-05. NOTICED THE BUBBLES BEFORE THE OTHER TWO BLEW OUT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THEM AT NO COST; BUT WAS WORRIED ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE THE SAME TIRE. THE TIRE BRAND NAME IS BIG O. THE DOT NUMBERS ARE B4KV3800; UTRK-266E R-44448 K-9184 1914. THE TIRE LINE IS: LT235/75R15. *AK *JB
Mileage: 65,000
1996 FORD ECONOLINE VAN WAS PARKED ON MY PROPERTY. IT STARTED ON FIRE WHICH SPREAD SO QUICKLY THAT THE WHOLE VAN WAS BURNT BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BELIEVES THE FIRE STARTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BUT CAN NOT DETERMINE WHAT STARTED IT ALTHOUGH WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR THEIR REPORT. THIS VAN WAS NOT PARKED NEAR ANYTHING FLAMMABLE NOR WAS THERE ANYTHING FLAMMABLE IN THE VAN. THE FIRE WAS SO HOT THE WINDSHIELD MELTED. WE NOW HAVE NO VAN AND NO EXPLANATION OF WHY IT WOULD START ON FIRE. THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SAID THEY WOULD NOT TAKE A REPORT UNLESS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SUSPECTS ARSON.
Mileage: 85,000
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.