1988 FORD ECONOLINE

0 recalls, 33 complaints - 24 TSBs

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

33 total complaints 1 crashes 4 fires 14 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH	2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES	1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY	1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER	1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING	1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH	1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE	1

Incident date: Aug 21, 2008

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. UPDATED 04/09/10. *LJ UPDATED 05/17/10

Fire

Incident date: Jul 27, 2002

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

CONSUMER STATES STARTER FAILED, ALSO VEHICLE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STALLING, CONSUMER FEELS THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE RECALL REGARDING THE TFI MODULE, THE STALLING HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN MOTION AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. *SLC

THE DRIVER SIDE TAILLIGHT FAILED. *SLC

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SIDE WINDOWS AND HI TOP WINDOWS ARE INOPERATIVE, THEY WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN AND LEAK. *SLC

THE RUBBER MOUNTING ON THE SPARE TIRE COVER DOES NOT MEET AND KEEPS COMING LOOSE, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE RADIO FELL APART. *SLC

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKES LOCK UP. *SLC

CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS A RATTLE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. *SLC

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT HAS BEEN FIXED TWICE, HOWEVER AFTER THE SECOND REPAIR IT WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. *SLC

Incident date: Sep 15, 2000

ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT FROM TOM STOWERS AT CCI MICHIGAN >AK

Incident date: Jul 1, 2000

THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE WHILE DRIVING COMSUMER TOOK THE TIRE TO FIRESTONE DEALER WHO ACCUSED CONSUMER OF PUNCTURING THE TIRE IN SOME WAY THUS CAUSING THE TREAD TO COME OFF (FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL R4S LT215/85R16 M/S VDOP 1WU493). NLM

Incident date: Sep 7, 2000

TIRE HAD BEEN SPARE BLEW OUT AR 60MPH TREAD SEPARATED, STEEL BLETS SHREDDED, TIRE BODY SPLIT TRASVERSLY. TIRE HAD GOOD TREAD AND WAS FULLY INFLATED BEFORE THE BLOW-OUT. THE TIRE MAY HAVE BEEN ORRIGINAL EQUIPMENT FROM FORD AS IT WAS THE SPARE. OTHER NUMBERS ON TIRE: DOT: VDHL ILM 048 F08R MADIE ... Read more

Incident date: May 3, 1999

ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING. MANUFACTURER/DEALER NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK

BLOWER SWITCH FOR HEATER AND A/C CAME OFF.

Incident date: Aug 25, 1998

LEFT WHEEL CAME OFF OF VEHICLE CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT).

IGNITION MODULE OVERHEATS CAUSING ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN.

Incident date: Dec 3, 1997

ENGINE FIRE.

Fire

SEAT BELT PROBLEMS.

Incident date: Sep 3, 1996

WHEEL DISCONNECTED DUE TO LOOSE LUG NUTS, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE REPORT)

Incident date: Aug 29, 1996

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)

Fire

Incident date: Sep 10, 1988

SPRING LEAF ADDED TO RIGHT REAR SIDE DUE TO DESIGN OF MOTOR HOME OVERLOADING SPRING.

Incident date: Apr 30, 1992

UNIVERSAL JOINTS FAILED.

Incident date: Mar 2, 1989

ENGINE NOT RECEIVING FUEL DUE TO FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEM.

Incident date: May 5, 1989

HEAD BOLT BROKE.

Incident date: Apr 2, 1996

THE VAN WOULD NOT CUT OFF ONCE IT WAS STARTED AND THE WIRING HARNESS BURNED OUT. *AK CONSUMER STATES HE TURNED OFF IGNITION, TOOK KEY OUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OFF. *JB

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE WIRES TO MELT, WHEN TURNING ON THE HEAT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Incident date: Feb 9, 1996

IGNITION SWITCH WILL STICK WHEN STARTING VEHICLE IN SEVERE COLD WEATHER. TT

Incident date: Jul 27, 1995

BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL; BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR; VEHICLE HIT TREE; INJURIES CAUSED BY NO RESTRAINT SYSTEM IN SHUTTLE BUS. TT

Crash 14 injured

Incident date: Jun 1, 1994

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

Fire

Incident date: Jun 1, 1995

GAS TANK FAILURE, EQUIPPED WITH DUAL GAS TANK, PRIMARY TANK IS LEAKING GAS DUE TO HOLES IN WELDS. *AK

Incident date: Jun 19, 1995

THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE MALFUNCTION AND CAUSED AN OVERFILL CONDITION IN ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS, RESULTING IN AN OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1988 FORD ECONOLINE

24 manufacturer communications from 24 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	4
063140 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR	2
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	2
063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM	2
114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING	2
103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER	2
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER	2
034510 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER	1

138600 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC

190000 TIRES

INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC

063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT

357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

ANNOUNCING THE FORD OEM AIR CONDITIONING RETROFIT KIT AVAILABILITY. *YC

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SOME VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP "CAVITATION" EROSION IN THE CYLINDER WALL OF THE ENGINE. *TT

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD

061110 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

ACCESSORY DRIVE BELTS- FEAD BELT COMES OFF- VEHICLES WITH 4.9L ENGINE. *JD

160000 STRUCTURE

FRAME- RIVET REPLACEMENT WITH BOLTS- SERVICE TIPS. *JD

103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW

103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

TORQUE CONVERTER - LEAK TEST PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TW

114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW

131000 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW

061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

KNOCKING NOISE ON INITIAL START-UP. *TW

063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A LACK OF POWER OR A NO START CONDITION DUE TO AN EXHAUST RESTRICTION. *TW

063140 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

NO START CONDITION CAUSED BY PLUGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *TW

063140 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

SERVICE PROCEDURE FOR CATALYTIC CONVERTER RESTRICTION ISSUES - PROCEDURE REQUIRES THE USE OF NEW ECM, IAC VALVE AND EXPANSION CHAMBER. *TW

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

NEW TORQUE-TO-YIELD CYLINDER HEAD BOLT KIT. *TW

034510 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

BRAKES - CALIPERS - FRONT CALIPER PISTON BOOTS DAMAGED. *TW

NHTSA Safety Investigations, FORD ECONOLINE

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1994

SEPARATION OF STEERING GEAR FROM FRAME

THE BOLTS WHICH SECURE THE STEERING GEAR TO VEHICLE STRUCTURE MAY FAIL, ALLOWING THE STEERING GEAR TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME AND CAUSE INACCURATE STEERING AND/OR LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1994

TRNS OIL COOLER LINE FAILS

FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT SYSTEM (SERPENTINE BELT) IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO ADDRESS CONCERNS RELATED TO BELT TRACKING OR WEAR.FORD MAINTAINS THAT THE SUBJECT CONDITION DOES NOT PRESENT AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO HI... GHWAY SAFETY, ARGUING THAT THE LOW INCIDENCE OF FAILURES ALLEGING SAFETY CONSEQUENCES (I.E., FIRES, FLUID LEAKS, AND/OR ACCIDENTS) IS STRONG EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF THIS CLAIM.FORD HAS INDICATED RECEIPT OF 4,445 FIELD REPORTS AND 46891 WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING THE SUBJECT CONDITION. FORD MAINTAINS THAT THE LOW NUMBER OF REPORTED HOSE RUPTURES AND/OR FIRES, RELATIVE TO TOTAL BELT FAILURES, SHOWS THAT THE PROBLEM IS A DURABILITY CONCERN THAT PRESENTS VERY LITTLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.FORD INTENDS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMIN A SERVICE BULLETIN SCHEDULED FOR PUBLICATION THE WEEK OF MARCH 13, 1995.ODI HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL CLAIMS ALLEGING THAT INCIDENTS OF BELT FAILURE ARE CAUSING COLLATERAL DAMAGE TO ADJACENT FLUID SYSTEMS (E.G., POWER STEERING HOSE, COOLANT HOSE, AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER HOSE).RELEASE OF THESE FLUIDS WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE, IF EXPOSED TO A SUFFICIENTLY HOT SURFACE AREA.THE AUTOIGNITION TEMPERATURE FOR TRANSMISSION OIL MAY BE AS LOW AS 300 C (570 F), WHILE POWER STEERING FLUID AND ENGINE COOLANT ARE GENERALLY HARDER TO IGNITE (CLOSER TO 500 DEGREE C (900 DEGREEF)).DAMAGE TO BATTERY CABLE INSULATION HAS ALSO BEEN ALLEGED AS A CONSEQUENCE OF SERPENTINE BELT FAILURE.ODI HAS RECEIVED FOUR REPORTS ALLEGING FAILURE OF ADJACENT FLUID SYSTEM HOSES FROM CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SERPENTINE BELT.ONE REPORT INVOLVED AN ECONOLINE RV CUTAWAY CHASSIS WITH A 7.3L V-8 NAVISTAR ENGINE, USED IN THE TRANSPORT OF DISABLED CHILDREN.AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 1994.THE FIRE IS ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED WHEN THE SERPENTINE BELT BROKE AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND RUPTURED A TRANSMISSION COLLER LINE. THE REPORT ALLEGES FINDING BELT FRAGMENTS AND TRACES OF TRANSMISSION FLUID UP THE ROAD FROM THE FIRE SCENE, NEAR WHERE THE DRIVER HAD HEARD A POP JUST PRIOR TO THE FIRE.THE DRIVER REPORTEDLY SUSTAINED MINOR BURN INJURIES WHILE EVACUATING PASSENGERS.OWNER REPORTS ALSO ALLEGE SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL OCCURS WITH THE BELT FAILURES, DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST CAPABILITY TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYSTEMS.THE SERPENTINE BELT DRIVES THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE VACUUM PUMP FOR THE BRAKE BOOSTER IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.AS STATED IN FORD BULLETIN 93-23-27: SOME DIESEL POWERED VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING DRIVE BELT TRACKING CONCERNS.THIS IS CAUSED BY FRONT END ACCESSORY DRIVE (FEAD) MISALIGNMENT, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE BELT COMING OFF THE ACCESSORY DRIVE PULLEYS.IF THIS OCCURS, SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE ALTERNATOR AND A/C FUNCTION AND WATER PUMP CIRCULATION.IN ADDITION, STEERING EFFORTS WILL INCREASE AND, AFTER ONE OR A FEW BRAKE APPLICATIONS, BRAKE EFFORTS WIL PROGRESSIVELY INCREASE. THERE ARE THREE ODI COMPLAINTS AND FIVE FORD COMPLAINTS, NOT INCLUDED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY OF THIS RESUME, ALLEGING THAT THE REDUCTIONIN VEHICLE CONTROL ASSOCIATED WITH ACESSORY DRIVE BELT FAILURE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.THIS INVESTIGATION IS BEING UPGRADED TO FURTHER ANALYZE THE POTENTIAL SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF SERPENTINE BELT FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.Read more

FORD ECONOLINE - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the FORD ECONOLINE across all model years (1967, 2026).

151 Total Recalls

1,161 Total Complaints

2 Investigations

87 Reported Crashes

102 Reported Fires

10 Reported Deaths

FORD ECONOLINE - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2026	1	0	View
2019	2	1	View
2018	2	0	View
2017	1	7	View
2016	1	3	View
2015	1	0	View
2014	1	0	View
2013	1	0	View
2012	1	2	View
2011	1	0	View
2010	1	1	View
2009	1	1	View
2007	2	0	View
2006	2	0	View
2005	2	0	View
2003	4	27	View
2002	4	25	View
2001	5	31	View
2000	5	46	View
1999	7	102	View
1998	4	61	View
1997	4	100	View
1996	5	96	View
1995	6	98	View
1994	6	164	View
1993	5	71	View
1992	5	113	View
1991	3	37	View
1990	4	38	View
1989	2	41	View
1988 (current)	0	33
1987	5	19	View
1986	6	7	View
1985	6	15	View
1984	7	10	View
1983	6	2	View
1982	3	1	View
1981	2	0	View
1980	4	1	View
1979	8	1	View
1978	2	0	View
1977	3	0	View
1976	2	0	View
1975	2	0	View
1972	1	0	View
1971	1	0	View
1969	3	0	View
1967	1	0	View

Other FORD Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
MUSTANG	1,104	11,600	View
RANGER	928	10,371	View
F-350 SD	776	2,363	View
F-450 SD	692	624	View
F-150	692	46,142	View
F-250 SD	638	3,635	View
EXPLORER	624	42,549	View
F-550 SD	578	603	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

1988 FORD ECONOLINE

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

Technical Service Bulletins, 1988 FORD ECONOLINE

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, FORD ECONOLINE

FORD ECONOLINE - All Years Overview

FORD ECONOLINE - Year by Year

Other FORD Models