1994 Ford E-150: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 121 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (17% of complaints); the 1992 and 1993 and 1996 model years look 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 121 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2023
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2019
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2011
“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”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2009
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 ford e-150. At approximately 35 mph on april 6, 2007 the vehicle's acceleration automatically increased, even as the contact attempted to depress the brake pedal. There was a national safety recall on the cruise control of this vehicle and the remedy was performed one year ago. The contact believed that the remedywas contributing to the vehicle's failure to stop. The current and failure mileage were 129,000.*ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2007
“Tl*- the contact stated that when attempting to start the 1994 ford e150 he heard a loud noise. The contact felt that this was due to the oil rising to the top of the engine. The contact had to turn the vehicle off and waited 4 hours before he attempted to restart the vehicle. The contact was then unable to start the vehicle without hearing the noise. He generally had this problem with the vehicle when he attempted to start the vehicle in the morning. He did not take the vehicle to the dealership to have it checked. The vehicle currently has 190000 miles. *ak updated 03/19/07. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2007
“1994 e150 rear a/c lines had been capped off. The a/c lines under vehicle were corroded. *ts the vehicle had no rear a/c installed. *nm”Owner report · Equipment · Aug 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle caught fire and burned. The vehicle was parked for 8 hours prior to the fire. The fire department stated in a written report the fire started in the engine compartment on the driver's side. Additional property damage was sustained to 4 other vehicles. The insurance company investigated and deemed the vehicle a total loss.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 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 MANUFACTURER'S CERTIFICATION LABEL AND/OR THE DRIVER AIR BAG ADVISORY LABEL MAY BE MISSING FROM THE VEHICLES, WHICH DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF 49 CFR 567.
Remedy: THE LABELS WILL BE FURNISHED TO OWNER'S FOR INSTALLATION ON THE VEHICLES.
R&R MOBILITY IS RECALLING 7 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
Remedy: R&R MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000.
R&R MOBILITY IS RECALLING 7 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS ON MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.
Remedy: R&R MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000.
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 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1994 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 1994 Ford E-150 reliable?
NHTSA has 121 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Ford E-150. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Ford E-150 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 129,500 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Ford E-150 have open recalls?
7 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.