1996 Ford Econoline: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 81 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (20% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Nov 2009
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2008
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2008
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“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2008
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2008
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2007
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2006
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2005
“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”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2005
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS MAY NOT HOLD THE VEHICLES ON A 20% GRADE WITH FOOT PEDAL EFFORTS OF 125 POUNDS OR LESS. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADJUST THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
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)
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact Econoline 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 Econoline reliable?
NHTSA has 81 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Ford Econoline. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Econoline problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 98,000 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Ford Econoline have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning parking brake:conventional. 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.