Ford Econoline Problems by Year

We compared every Ford Econoline model year from 1995–2019 using 476 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 16 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 1997, 1999, 1996, 1995 and 2000, which drew far more complaints than other Econoline years at the same age. The best years are 2005, 2006 and 2007.

14model years
476complaints
16recalls
1997, 1999worst years
2005, 2006best years

Complaints by model year

199519961997199819992000200120022003200520062007201820197381794684392823221
Owner complaints per model year, Ford Econoline. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20191−86%2ElectricalGood
20180−93%2—Good
20070−95%2—Good
20060−95%2—Good
20050−95%2—Good
200322−41%2AccelerationGood
200223−46%2EngineGood
200128−38%3AccelerationAverage
2000391.7×3AccelerationCaution
1999843.0×5BrakeAvoid
1998461.6×2BrakeCaution
1997793.1×2BrakeAvoid
1996813.0×3BrakeAvoid
1995732.8×4BrakeAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median Econoline year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Ford Econoline problems

Latest Ford Econoline recalls

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 25V-572 · Sep 3, 2025 · 1,456,417 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026.

Equipment

NHTSA recall 19V-428 · Jun 11, 2019 · 325 vehicles

Unicell Body Company Inc. (Unicell) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savanna, 2018-2019 Hino 155, Ford Econoline and Transit and Isuzu NPR, and 2018 Ram ProMaster-based vehicles equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image.

Remedy: Unicell will work with ASA Electronics to notify owners and offer a remedy, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact ASA Electronics customer service 1-800-384-4400 or Unicell at 1-716-853-8628.

Equipment adaptive/mobility

NHTSA recall 08V-663 · Dec 16, 2008 · 169 vehicles

Sunset vans is recalling 169 my 2005-2007 econoline, g series and sprinter trucks built on Dodge, Ford and Chevrolet chassis and equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.

Remedy: Sunset vans is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners May contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or sunset vans at 1-888-280-8267.

Equipment adaptive/mobility

NHTSA recall 08V-662 · Dec 15, 2008 · 267 vehicles

Sunset vans is recalling 267 my 2005-2007 econoline, g series and sprinter trucks built on Dodge, Ford and Chevrolet chassis and equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.

Remedy: Sunset vans is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners May contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or sunset vans at 1-888-280-8267.

Vehicle speed control › Cruise control

NHTSA recall 08V-051 · Feb 4, 2008 · 225,000 vehicles

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 Mercury grand marquis, and my 1992-1995 Lincoln town car vehicles.

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.

All 16 Ford Econoline recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Ford Econoline should you avoid?

1997, 1999, 1996, 1995, 2000 and 1998 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Econoline years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 1997.

What is the best year for the Ford Econoline?

2005 has the fewest complaints compared with other Econoline years at the same age, followed by 2006 and 2007. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Ford Econoline problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (100), engine & cooling (71) and speed control & acceleration (69). Brake complaints peak in the 1995 model year.

How many recalls has the Ford Econoline had?

16 recalls across 1995–2019. The model year with the most is 1999. See all Ford Econoline recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.