1986 Ford Econoline

○ Not enough data
1986 Ford Econoline
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:21:26.486Z

Only 7 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 7 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Econoline Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1986 highlighted. 1980: 1 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 2 complaints 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 7 complaints 1986 1987: 15 complaints 1988: 22 complaints 1989: 32 complaints 1990: 30 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 83 complaints 1993: 65 complaints 1994: 124 complaints 1995: 73 complaints 1995 1996: 81 complaints 1997: 79 complaints 1998: 46 complaints 1999: 84 complaints 2000: 39 complaints 2000 2001: 28 complaints 2002: 23 complaints 2003: 22 complaints 2005: 0 complaints 2006: 0 complaints 2006 2007: 0 complaints 2009: 1 complaints 2010: 1 complaints 2011: 0 complaints 2012: 1 complaints 2012 2013: 0 complaints 2014: 0 complaints 2015: 0 complaints 2016: 3 complaints 2017: 3 complaints 2017 2018: 0 complaints 2019: 1 complaints 2026: 0 complaints 2026
1986: 7 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19801
19810
19821
19832
19847
198510
19867
198715
198822
198932
199030
199124
199283
199365
1994124
199573
199681
199779
199846
199984
200039
200128
200223
200322
20050
20060
20070
20091
20101
20110
20121
20130
20140
20150
20163
20173
20180
20191
20260

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 7 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

TIRES

1 of 7 total reports mentions: tires.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 of 7 total reports mentions: service brakes, hydraulic.

POWER TRAIN

1 of 7 total reports mentions: power train.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950717

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 of 7 total reports mentions: fuel system, gasoline.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 of 7 total reports mentions: engine and engine cooling.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19860716 — steering

THE RUBBER THAT ENCASES BALL STUD AND SOCKET JOINT (CONNECTS STEERING DRAG LINK AND PITMAN ARM) MAY DETERIORATE, CAUSING METAL TO METAL CONTACT, AND MAY EVENTUALLY RESULT IN COMPLETE SEPARATI

Remedy: INSTALL NEW DRAG LINK ASSEMBLIES WITH STEEL BALL AND SOCKET JOINTS AT THE PITMAN ARM CONNECTIONS.

Campaign 86V094000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19870702 — fuel system, gasoline

FUEL LEAK AT THE TOP OF THE FRONT FUEL TANK IN THE AREA OF THE VAPOR VALVE GROMMET. GROMMET MAY SPLIT DUE TO COMPRESSIVE LOAD WHEN INSTALLED IN THE FUEL TANK.

Remedy: INSTALLATION OF A NEWLY DESIGNED VAPOR VALVE GROMMET.

Campaign 87V111000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19870714 — engine and engine cooling

EXPULSION OF FUEL DUE TO OVERPRESSURIZATION.

Remedy: MODIFICATION OF THE BASE FUEL VENTING AND EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM TO REDUCE OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES.

Campaign 87V113000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19871012 — fuel system, gasoline

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Campaign 87V139000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19880203 — engine and engine cooling

VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO EXCESSIVE UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES IN SEVERE DUTY APPLICATIONS.

Remedy: INSTALL MODIFICATION KITS TO MINIMIZE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL EXPULSION AND TO SHIELD UNDERBODY COMPONENTS FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT.

Campaign 87V144000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20071015 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHIC

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

Campaign 07E064000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1986 Ford Econoline — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for tires issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 86V094000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V111000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V113000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V139000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V144000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E064000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 1989 ▲ 2000

WORST YEARS

◆ 1994 ● 1992 ● 1999

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1986 Ford Econoline reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1986 Ford Econoline?

The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1986 Ford Econoline have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.