1997 Ford Econoline problems
Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Ford Econoline. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 22% of complaints. Next are tires (13%) and engine (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 100 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 22% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 12 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 2
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What the data shows
Safety-related details: 12 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 2 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 14 model years of the Ford Econoline with enough data (67 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration resulting in the death of two passengers. (attorney for client :james endicott)nlm
Was traveling approximately 25MPH when another vehicle suddenly rearended econoline 250. The driver's & passenger's seat belts failed to restrain occupants, resulting in injuries. Driver was taken to emergency room for treatment. *slc
The secondary air condtioner fan located in the back of the conversion van had a electrical problem and caused a fire. Not sure what caused the fire. The inside of the vehicle was torched.
1997 ford econoline e-150 van. Spare tire stored underneath body of van, suspended by thin metallic cable. Cable snapped, allowing tire and two metal bracket pieces to fall onto road surface. Luckily I was only doing 2-3 MPH in a parking lot. Had I been on a street or freeway at a higher speed, considerable damage and possible injuries/fatalities could have resulted. *nlm
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford econoline. The contact stated that while driving at any speed, the brakes malfunctioned. The contact had to apply the brakes several times before they would engage. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The manufacturer, when called, stated that the master cylinder may have needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 89,400. Updated 01/04/11 the consumer stated the master cylinder was replaced. However, that did not resolve the problem.