MYRModel Year Report

1988 Ford Econoline

○ Not enough data
1988 Ford Econoline
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:37:47.899Z

Only 22 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 22 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, 1988 highlighted. 1980: 1 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 2 complaints 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 15 complaints 1988: 22 complaints 1988 1989: 33 complaints 1990: 30 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 86 complaints 1993: 67 complaints 1994: 132 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
1988: 22 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19801
19810
19821
19832
19847
198510
19867
198715
198822
198933
199030
199124
199286
199367
1994132
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 22 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

8 of 22 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing switch and interior/under dash.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1988 FORD ECONOLINE VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT FIRE. HE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VIN, FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100303

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

5 of 22 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)

NHTSA ODI report, 19961010

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING OIL IS LEAKING AND THE CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO REFILL MORE OFTEN. DEALER NOTIFIED. NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20020926

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

3 of 22 total reports mention: fuel system, gasoline, most commonly citing tank assembly and selector devices.

EQUIPMENT

3 of 22 total reports mention: equipment, most commonly citing carrier/rack and radio/tape deck/cd etc..

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

RESISTOR ON BLOWER MOTOR OVERHEATED ONLY ON SLOW SPEED, SMOKE CAME OUT OF A/C VENTS. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950803

SERVICE BRAKES

2 of 22 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

No recalls on file for this model year.

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Ford Econoline — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (3 reports on file for this year).
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 1989 ▲ 2000

WORST YEARS

◆ 1994 ● 1992 ● 1999

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1988 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 1988 Ford Econoline?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Ford Econoline have?

No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.