Total Complaints
15 filings
FORD VAN · model year
1994 FORD VAN
15 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1994FORDVAN carries 15 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 0 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 1994 VAN is unknown or other with 4 filings, followed by steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion) (1) and suspension:front (1). 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 VAN, 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.
15
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4 |
| STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER | 1 |
| WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20070210ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM, THE VAN WILL DIE AND NOT START AGAIN UNTIL THE ENGINE HAS COOLED DOWN. YOU ARE STUCK ALONG SIDE THE ROAD UNTIL THEN. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I CALLED FOR A TOW AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VAN WAS VAPOR LOCKED. WAS TOWED 35 MILES TO A GARAGE TO HAVE IT FIXED. AFTER LOOKING AT THE VAN THIS IS WHEN WAS TOLD IT WAS VAPOR LOCKED. *JB
Mileage: 23,000
20050131WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP ALL FIVE WHEEL STUDS/BOLTS BROKE, AND THE WHEEL DISENGAGED. *AK
20010516ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
TRANSMISSION REBUILT BECAUSE ELECTRONICS FAILED, REPLACED FRONT BANDS, TORQUE CONVERTER AND FRONT SPRAG. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT WHEN WE HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED AT 50400 MILES THAT THERE HAD BEEN A LEAK THEN AND IT WAS SEALED WITH SILICONE. ENGINE REPLACE
20010516POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
TRANSMISSION REBUILT BECAUSE ELECTRONICS FAILED, REPLACED FRONT BANDS, TORQUE CONVERTER AND FRONT SPRAG. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT WHEN WE HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED AT 50400 MILES THAT THERE HAD BEEN A LEAK THEN AND IT WAS SEALED WITH SILICONE. ENGINE REPLACE
20010516POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
TRANSMISSION REBUILT BECAUSE ELECTRONICS FAILED, REPLACED FRONT BANDS, TORQUE CONVERTER AND FRONT SPRAG. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT WHEN WE HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED AT 50400 MILES THAT THERE HAD BEEN A LEAK THEN AND IT WAS SEALED WITH SILICONE. ENGINE REPLACE
20010307FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
EARLIER SAME DAY VEHICLE OVERHEATED, IT WAS IMMED. TURNED OFF AND TOWED IN. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ENGINE WAS OFF AND KEY REMOVED. IT LATER CAUGHT FIRE. THE PROPER AUTHORITIES WERE CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND INVESTIGATE THE SCENE. THE "HOT SPOT" OF THE FIRE WAS DETERMINED TO BE AT THE STARTER RELAY. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS.THE TIME OF DAY OF THE FIRE WAS APPROX. 4:30 PM. NO ONE WAS NEAR THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME.
19990730ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM CAUSING COURTESY LIGHTS, READING LIGHTS, RADIO AND TELEVISION FAILURE. NLM
19990202FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC FUEL PUMP. FUEL PUMP SQUIRTS GAS OUT OF THE FUEL TANK. IN ADDITION, THE CONSUMER SMELLED STRONG FUMES. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
19981208FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
WHILE FILLING MY FUEL TANK, GAS WAS SEEN RUNNING ON THE GROUND FROM UNDER THE CAR. AFTER AN INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL FILLER AND AIR RETURN RUBBER HOSES WERE CRACKED AND CRUMBLING. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. THESE PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE ON MY CAR AND PROBABLY MANY OTHER SIMILAR CARS. THIS IS A SERIOUS FIRE AND POLLUTION HAZARD. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE HOSES WILL CRACK OPEN COMPLETLY AND FUEL WILL SPILL OUT. THE CRACKED LOSES CAUSE FUEL VAPORS TO BE RELEASED INTO THE AIR. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS BEYOND THE WARRANTY. REPORTED IT TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 800-392-3673, BUT THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL. I THINK THAT ALL FORD MODELS THAT USED THESE PARTS SHOULD BE RECALLED, INSPECTED AND REPAIRED AT FORDS EXPENSE. *MJS
19980124UNKNOWN OR OTHER
REQUEST INFORMATION CONCERNINT U-HAUL RENTAL VANS AND TRUCKS.
19980124UNKNOWN OR OTHER
REQUEST INFORMATION CONCERNINT U-HAUL RENTAL VANS AND TRUCKS.
19980124UNKNOWN OR OTHER
REQUEST INFORMATION CONCERNINT U-HAUL RENTAL VANS AND TRUCKS.
19980124UNKNOWN OR OTHER
REQUEST INFORMATION CONCERNINT U-HAUL RENTAL VANS AND TRUCKS.
19970829SUSPENSION:FRONT
CAMBER BUSHING WEARS OUT, CAUSING INPROPER ALIGNMENT AND EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRES. *AK
19970806STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
WHILE DRIVING LOST STEERING CONTROL. DEALER SAID THAT THE STEERING BOX RIPPED OFF FROM THE FRAME. *AK
Compare 1994FORDVAN to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 8 Open
EA26001Engineering AnalysisOpen
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
PE25020Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Timing Belt Failure
DP25001Defect PetitionOpen
Underbody shields detachment
PE25007Preliminary EvaluationOpen
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
PE25002Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1994 FORD VAN have?▼
The 1994 FORD VAN has 15 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 FORD VAN?▼
The most-complained component for the 1994 FORD VAN is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) and SUSPENSION:FRONT.
Is the 1994 FORD VAN 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.