1996 Ford E-150: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 59 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (15% of complaints).
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 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My vehicle according the NHTSA has recall #09v399000 for the brake system speed control which can catch on fire even in the garage with the vehicle off. I asked ford to repair this because I just bought this vehicle and they claim there are no recalls on this vehicle, and I know there is and I know the recall hasn't been installed on my vehicle. Are they saying this because time ran out to have this done because I just bought this vehicle or do they just not want to? Thanks for your help. *js”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2014
“Vehicle was parked, and upon entering noticed the smell of an electrical fire. Started the vehicle, odometer was inoperable and vehicle would not shift out of park. Upon further inspection, found a blown 15 amp fuse in the fuse panel. Replaced fuse, odometer came back on and vehicle shifted out of park. Approximately 10 seconds later, the smell of burning wiring was evident, as was smoke from under the hood. Pulled the fuse back out, opened the hood to find the brake pressure switch on fire, which melted the brake fluid reservoir as well as the battery casing also. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2013
“1996 ford e-150 serpentine belt, air conditioning compressor. Electrical system, ignition module replaced, ABS light illuminated when brakes were applied, tie rods replaced, fuel pump replaced. *kb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2006
Show 7 more owner reports
“Broken front spring on 1996 econoline van apparently due to corrosion issue. Dealer diagnosed problem and states that broken spring may or may not come lose and result in a safety hazard. *nm”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle caught fire while parked. The fire was localized under the hood. The vehicle was not taken in for service. A police report was taken. There was a NHTSA recall # 06v286000 which pertained to the vehicle speed control. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2006
“A chrome color grille about 2.5 feet wide and 6" tall flew off the front of our 1996 f150 ford van while we were driving at highway speed. I noticed other similar ford vans that have also lost the same front grill part. We were going 55 mph down a 2 lane highway and a large truck was going the other way. The gust of air from the passing truck was sufficient to tear off the grill part and cause it to fly over the top of our van. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2006
“Dt: the caller said that while at work his vehicle caught on fire. It was sitting for 2 hours and 15 minutes. Vehicle was sitting across the street from where the caller worked, and the neighbors saw the fire and helped put it out along with a passing police officer. Fire was caught in time, and no other damage was caused. Dealer /manufacturer had not been contacted. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2005
“1996 ford e150 experienced brake failure due to corroded brake lines.*mr the failed part were at the ABS control valve and extended to the front brakes. Four months prior to the failure the ABS light illuminated on the dash. *nm”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2005
“1996 ford f-150 2wd mileage 112,500 (well maintained) oss of steering resulting from something inside steering box disengaging. Causing no control from operator of vehicle. Vehicle pulled to right and hit parked car, once pass parked car vehecle continued to pull to right, over the lawn and hitting another parked car in drivway beforecoming to a stop ntire incident took 3 seconds. I was on I side street close to home doing about 30-35 mph, had it been a highway, people could have been killed. Lso air bag did not deploy why! Please see if there are any other complaints like this!*ak”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2005
“While vehicle was parked a fire started under the hood. Vehicle was totaled. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 101 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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.
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 1996 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 1996 Ford E-150 reliable?
NHTSA has 59 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Ford E-150. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Ford E-150 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 120,000 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Ford E-150 have open recalls?
3 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.