1993 Ford E-150: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 71 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (14% of complaints); the 1991 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2019
“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.”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2015
“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”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2009
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2007
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2005
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2004
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2003
“1993 ford e-150 van leaks fuel from tank (not filler neck) during fillup. Unable to completely fill tank because of this problem.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2003
“The three bolts that mount the steering box broke and the frame has multible cracks,the bolts show no sign of wear as if loose, but do look like they might have been over tightened. This happened suddenly and resulted in no control of the van.*ak”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
THE TRANSFORMER USED TO POWER THE NEON CENTER LIGHTBEAM CAN OVERHEAT AND CATCH ON FIRE.
Remedy: MARK III DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ASSEMBLIES TO ELIMINATE THE NEON LIGHTING FIXTURE IN THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE IT WITH INCANDESCENT LIGHTS OPERATING DIRECTLY FROM THE VEHICLE 12-VOLT BATTERY.
FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1993 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact E-150 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1993 Ford E-150 reliable?
NHTSA has 71 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Ford E-150. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (14% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Ford E-150 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 135,000 miles or less.
Does the 1993 Ford E-150 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.