1993 Ford Econoline Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year report a fairly wide spread of problems on a vehicle that is now decades old: cruise-control-related smoke and fires, steering gearbox mounting failures, fuel leaks and fumes around the tank and filler neck, and cooling/heater leaks. Mileage varies widely, from vans with under 25,000 miles to one with over 300,000, so many reports reflect long-term wear as much as any single design characteristic.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Cruise control switch smoke and engine fires

   • 9 complaints (14%)
   • median 91,500 mi at 14.4 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2007

   Complaints describe smoke coming from under the hood, sometimes while driving with the cruise control engaged, and in several cases the van burned. Some owners say the fire started shortly after receiving a recall notice but before the repair appointment; others describe a parked van catching fire. Reports also include uncommanded acceleration or a throttle that hung open, with one owner reporting the throttle body was replaced. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 22,000 to 128,000 miles, and often with the cruise control in use.

   Recall 08V051000

   What to check: Ask whether the cruise-control recall (08V051000) was performed and with the correct harness, and inspect the speed-control switch and wiring on the master cylinder for damage. Note that a later recall applies to vans repaired with an incompatible harness.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a Ford ecoline 150 family van (custom made). Well just last week it caught on fire while my husband was driving on he highway. He had the cruise control, a.c. And the radio on. I has never happened to us before. I don't know if it did to the prior owners. Needless to say that when help arrived it was to late the van was totaled.”

   NHTSA complaint #10125341, filed 2005-06

   “- the contact stated that the 1993 Ford Econoline van caught on fire while sitting in the driveway. While in his vehicle sleeping about 4:00 am the neighbors knock on the van to inform the contact that the vehicle was on fire under the hood. He stated that the entire van was destroyed by the fire. The contact stated that the fire department came and put out the fire. The contact drove the vehicle home, and there was no indication that the vehicle had any type of problems. The current and failure mileage were both 128000 .”

   NHTSA complaint #10185547, filed 2007-03, 128,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel leaks, fumes and fuel tank or hose damage

   • 9 complaints (14%)
   • median 157,000 mi at 11.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2005

   Owners report a strong fuel smell, especially after filling the tank or in hot weather, and fuel leaking from the top of the tank, the filler neck or the vent and return hoses. Some describe fuel running out when the van is parked on an incline or splashing out on a quick stop. A few report a cracked plastic fuel tank, and dealers in some cases could not identify the source or declined out-of-warranty help. Mostly reported on older, higher-mileage vans, often around 150,000 miles and after refueling or in warm weather.

   Recall 93V100000

   What to check: Check the filler and vent hoses and the top of the fuel tank for cracking, staining or a fuel smell, and ask whether recall 93V100000 (filler hose damage from DSO hardware) was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I recently purchased the vehicle and when examining the underside of the vehicle I noticed stains on fuel lines and fuel tank from leakage. 1.the fuel return hose is badly cracked near the fuel tank and has been leaking. 2. The floor of the vehicle directly above the fuel return line is stained from fuel which appears to have been sprayed upward from the fuel line. 3. …”

   NHTSA complaint #729529, filed 2000-08

   “Plastic fuel tank seems split on top of tank.now leaking fuel and fumes.took it to Ford and they said they cannot help me because its out of warranty.called Ford's main office in detroit, and they also said they cannot help me. A fuel tank should not be a part of a warranty item. There is no wear and tear like brake/engine/drive train.all it does it holds gasoline. It should not crack or split in a 5 years.it should last almost the life of the vehicle.I noticed this problem because I check under my truck often. …”

   NHTSA complaint #702662, filed 1999-01
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering gearbox detaching or fracturing from frame

   • 5 complaints (8%)
   • median 110,000 mi at 18.3 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2014

   Complaints describe a loud snap or bang followed by a very loose or seized steering wheel, with the steering gearbox separating from the frame or its mounting bolts breaking. In some reports the vehicle could not be driven afterward and had to be towed; one dealer found the frame cracked at the steering box. A separate report describes a power steering hose rubbing against the frame. Reported from roughly 98,000 to 168,000 miles, typically at low to moderate speeds while turning.

   What to check: Have a mechanic inspect the frame and mounting bolts where the steering gearbox attaches, looking for cracks, loose bolts or rust, and check power steering hose routing for rubbing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at normal speed consumer heard a loud noise, sounded like it was coming through the font end. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, and technician indicated that frame cracked at the steering box left side.”

   NHTSA complaint #10057536, filed 2004-02, 98,000 miles

   “Driving about 25-30mph when steering gear box detached from frame of vehicle, resulting in the loss of steering control. Took to dealer & informed don't know why it happened & would take a month to investigate & fix problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #815186, filed 1997-08
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Coolant leaks into cabin and heater/manifold leaks

   • 5 complaints (8%)
   • median 101,200 mi at 11.3 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2004

   Complaints describe water and antifreeze leaking into the passenger compartment while driving, and an intermittent stall when turning corners. Others report recurring manifold leaks repaired repeatedly over several years, and one owner reports a misfire and stutter that led to engine replacement. Reported from roughly 100,000 miles upward, and in one case as a recurring problem since the van was new.

   What to check: Look for coolant stains or a sweet smell inside the cabin and under the dash, check coolant level and heater core hoses, and inspect the intake/exhaust manifold area for leakage.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Consumer experiencing an ongoing problem with leakage in the manifold. This condition have been repaired every year since 1993, and twice within this year , 1998. Dealer notified.”

   NHTSA complaint #827871, filed 1998-09
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake pedal travel, pulling and warped rotors

   • 6 complaints (9%)
   • typically at 3.9 yrs old
   • filed 1995–2024

   Complaints describe a brake pedal that travels a long way before engaging, pulling hard to one side when braking, front brake lockup on wet or icy gravel, and rotors that warped and were replaced repeatedly, causing a shimmy when stopping. Mileage was not recorded in most of these reports; the complaints span several years of use.

   What to check: Test the pedal for firmness and long travel, check for pulsation or pulling during a test stop, and inspect rotor and pad condition and the hydraulic pressure valve.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Hydraulic brakes: pressure valve failure. Brake pedal travels quite a distance before finally catching, causing vehicle to continue traveling/brakes lock up and vehicle skids during sudden stops.”

   NHTSA complaint #526457, filed 1997-12

Buying note. This is an old van, so condition matters more than the model year: have the steering gearbox mounting, fuel hoses and tank, and brake hydraulics inspected before buying, and confirm which open recalls (cruise control, fuel filler hose) have actually been completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 41 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.