1994 Ford Econoline

◆ Worse than typical
1994 Ford Econoline
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:30:08.339Z

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Econoline Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1994 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 1989: 32 complaints 1990: 30 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 83 complaints 1993: 65 complaints 1994: 124 complaints 1994 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
1994: 124 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

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 14%

14% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 17 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7%

7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 9 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

seat belt not pulling out e40d trans starts out going in 3ed gear

NHTSA ODI report, 20230127

AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 7 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

IN ACCIDENT AT 12:00 POSITION AT 15MPH DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950228

WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 30-35MPH, SUDDENLY AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT, NO APPARENT REASON, RESULT LOST STEERING CAPABILITY RAN INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950213

WHEELS 5%

5% of complaints: wheels — 6 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
STEERING 5%

5% of complaints: steering — 6 distinct reports on file.

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, 20140819

SAFETY TIMELINE

1994 — complaint volume: 124
R 19940121 — parking brake

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 30%

Remedy: FINAL STAGE MANUFACTURERS WILL BE INFORMED OF THIS CONDITION AND PROVIDED WITH PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS NECESSARY TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION.

Campaign 93V194000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19940708 — interior lighting

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.

Campaign 94V128000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19941118 — PE (closed 19950331)

TRNS OIL COOLER LINE FAILS

I 19960327 — PE (closed 19960718)

SEPARATION OF STEERING GEAR FROM FRAME

I 20050322 — EA (closed 20060802)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20060807 — vehicle speed control

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 05

Campaign 06V286000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080218 — vehicle speed control

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 MERCUR

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.

Campaign 08V051000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1994 Ford Econoline — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 93V194000 (parking brake) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 94V128000 (interior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V286000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V051000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 1989 ▲ 2000

WORST YEARS

● 1992 ● 1999 ● 1996

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, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1994 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.