IllustrationOWNER STATES THAT THE SEAT BELTS IN THE CAPTAIN'S CHAIR DO NOT HOLD KIDS IN PLACE, THEY ARE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THEM. *AK
1989 Ford Econoline
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Econoline years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 32 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports4 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
32 reportsSEAT TRACK FAILURE, SEAT BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE SEAT TRACKS AND THE SEAT TRACKS WERE DEFORMED AS A RESULT OF AN IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. (PLUM POLICE REPORT)
BRAKES FAILED FOUR TIMES.
WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL CAME OFF DUE TO BROKEN LUG NUTS. PLEASE DESCRIBE.*AK
DURING OPERATION , THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED.*AK
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.
INTERIOR VEHICLE FIRE CAUSED BY THE WIRING HARNESS AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN. *AK
ABS: BRAKE SEEMS TO OVERHEAT CAUSING PEDAL TO GO COMPLETELY TO FLOOR; EXTENDED STOPPING; NO WARNING. TT THE BRAKE OVER HEATING OCCURED BOTH ON STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AS WELL AS WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STEEP MOUNTAIN. *YH
AUXILIARY TANK LEAKED FUEL AND EMMITED FUMES DUE TO INCORRECT INSTALLATION OF FUEL TANK. THE FUMES MADE DRIVER /PASSENGER NAUSEATED. *AK
VEHICLE SPARE TIRE MOUNTED ON REAR DOOR FELL OFF DUE TO DEFECTIVE ALLUMINUN. TT
Official recalls
291V146000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank:selector Devices
Sep 4, 1991
THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE MAY MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN OVERFILL CONDITION IN ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS, RESULTING IN AN OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP CAUSES A FUELLEAKAGE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE.
90V101000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Jun 1, 1990
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN THE GEAR IS PLACED IN PARK, THE PARK GEAR WOULD NOTENGAGE, ALLOWING THE TRUCK TO ROLL FREELY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT PROPERLYSET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL IMPROVED SNAP RING AND REVISED TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA91031 · Fuel Expulsion
Opened Jun 26, 1991 · Closed Nov 1, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available