1994 Ford Econoline
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
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.
- Complaints
- 132
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 1994
Opened by NHTSA
28% of complaints
Complaints per year
1994: 132 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 1 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 2 |
| 1984 | 7 |
| 1985 | 10 |
| 1986 | 7 |
| 1987 | 15 |
| 1988 | 22 |
| 1989 | 33 |
| 1990 | 30 |
| 1991 | 24 |
| 1992 | 86 |
| 1993 | 67 |
| 1994 | 132 |
| 1995 | 73 |
| 1996 | 81 |
| 1997 | 79 |
| 1998 | 46 |
| 1999 | 84 |
| 2000 | 39 |
| 2001 | 28 |
| 2002 | 23 |
| 2003 | 22 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2026 | 0 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Service brakes
28% · 37 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Engine and engine cooling
12% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Show complaint excerpts
The vehicle was parked on the side of the house. While all the residence were gone for the day, the vehicle mysteriously caught on fire. The fire department was notified. The fire destroyed the engine compartment.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-02-09
Also filed under Electrical system
Steering
11% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing gear box (other than rack and pinion) and hydraulic power assist system.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 1994 Ford Econoline. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the vehicle would constantly veer to the right and the steering wheel wobbled.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-08-19
Please reopen NHTSA id number: 10254031. After this incident I posted a web site detailing the problem. Since then, I have received dozen of inquiries from people who have had the identical issue.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-12-31
Vehicle speed control
10% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.
Show complaint excerpts
seat belt not pulling out e40d trans starts out going in 3ed gear
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-01-27
Also filed under Forward collision avoidance and seat belts
Electrical system
9% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing horn and fuses and circuit breakers.
Show complaint excerpts
1) no previous indication was given of any problem. 2) at 3 am on August 8TH, 2005, I was awaken by a neighbor, who having smelled smoke, looked out the window and saw my van on fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-08-11
Electrical short, fire started in dash board while driving, will provide more information. Tt
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-04-25
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
▮
1994Complaint volume 132 complaints filed for this model year.
-
R
1994-01-21Parking brake93V194000 These vehicles do not comply with FMVSS 105, "Hydraulic brake systems." The parking brake application force for a foot operated control system should not exceed 125 pounds to hold the vehicle on a…
Remedy: Final stage manufacturers will be informed of this condition and provided with parts and instructions necessary to correct this situation.
-
R
1994-07-08Interior lighting94V128000 The transformer used to power the neon center lightbeam can overheat and catch on fire.
Remedy: Mark iii dealers will modify the assemblies to eliminate the neon lighting fixture in the vehicle and replace it with incandescent lights operating directly from the vehicle 12-volt battery.
-
I
1994-11-18Preliminary evaluationClosed 1995-03-31 Trns oil cooler line fails
-
I
1996-03-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-07-18 Separation of steering gear from frame
-
I
2005-03-22Engineering analysisClosed 2006-08-02 Engine compartment fires
-
R
2006-08-07Vehicle speed control06V286000 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…
-
R
2008-02-18Vehicle speed control08V051000 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…
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.
-
R
2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…
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.
-
R
2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…
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.
Buy-smart checklist
1994 Ford Econoline — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 37 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 16 reports on file for this year.
- Steering: 14 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 93V194000 · Parking brake
- Recall 94V128000 · Interior lighting
- Recall 06V286000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 08V051000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1994 Ford Econoline reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 Ford Econoline is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1994 Ford Econoline?
- The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1994 Ford Econoline have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.