1997 FORD ECONOLINE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
100
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
52
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1997 FORD ECONOLINE
The 1997 FORD ECONOLINE has received a total of 100 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL. 52 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip (14 complaints), Tirestreadbelt (7 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingengine (6 complaints).
Recalls for the 1997 FORD ECONOLINE
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 1997 FORD ECONOLINE, potentially affecting up to 288,810 vehicles.
Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 42,540 vehicles affected
Defect: 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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
View full details →Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: 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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
View full details →Recall 08V051000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
| 225,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.
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.
View full details →Recall 96V193000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
| 5,000 vehicles affected
Defect: THE BATTERY CABLE HARNESS DOES NOT HAVE ADEQUATE PROTECTION FROM CONTACTING AND BEING DAMAGED BY THE RIGHT ENGINE MOUNT.
Consequence: IF THE BATTERY CABLE OR STARTER WIRE INSULATION IS DAMAGED BY SUCH CONTACT, A SHORT TO GROUND CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN OVERHEATING OF THE WIRING AND POSSIBLE IGNITION OF SURROUNDING COMPONENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CHAFING OF THE CABLE AND WILL ADD INSULATION AND A TIE STRAP TO THE BATTERY CABLE HARNESS.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1997 FORD ECONOLINE
100 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 FORD ECONOLINE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
1997 FORD ECONOLINE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TIRE ISSUES AND REPAIR REIMBURSEMENT.* LD THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE TIRES ON HER VEHICLE WERE RECALLED. HOWEVER, SHE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. RECALL #12T007000. *JB
1997 FORD ECONOLINE VAN. THE SPARK-PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ALUMINUM TRITON ENGINE DESTROYING THE EXISTING THREADS. FIRE HAZARD. EXPOSED FUEL TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR
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*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE BLOCK WAS BAD. UPDATED 01/11/11.*JB
AS I TYPE THIS COMPLAINT, I AM LISTENING TO SECRETARY LAHOOD,....IF WHAT HE SAYS IS TRUE I SHOULD HEAR SOMETHING BACK FROM YOU FAIRLY SOON!! I HAVE A COMPLAINT WITH THE V10 FORD ENGINE.....IF YOU GO TO THE INTERNET AND TYPE IN "FORD V10 ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTING" OR ANYTHING SIMILAR TO THAT INQUIRY YOU WILL GET A HOST OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM EXPERIENCING. MY 1997 FORD (MOTORHOME) SPIT OUT A SPARK PLUG SEVERAL MONTH AGO. CALLED FORD, THEY SUGGESTED THAT I HAVE MY MECHANIC INSTALL AN "INSERT" TO REPAIR THE STRIPPED OUT HEAD OR REPLACE THE HEADS.....OFFERED NO OTHER HELP. THE INSERT "FIX COST" $1,000. NEW HEADS WOULD HAVE COST $3,000 EACH. WORK WOULD BE GUARANTEED FOR A WHOPPING "90 DAYS". I OPTED FOR THE $1,000. FIX. AFTER THE FIX, MY WIFE (FIGHTING LUNG CANCER) AND I (RETIRED AIR FORCE-MILITARY) HEADED TO FLORIDA FROM MICHIGAN. WE MADE IT TO INDIANAPOLIS....APPROX 350 MILES. THE NEWLY REPAIRED "HEAD INSERT" ALLOWED THE PLUG TO SPIT OUT AGAIN!! LONG STORY SHORT, WE RETURNED HOME AND HAD A NEW ENGINE (REMANUFACTURED) ENGINE INSTALLED AT A COST OF $5,000. MY MILITARY PENSION CANNOT AFFORD THESE KIND OF MONETARY HITS. I AM ALSO TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A FIRE. WE WERE LUCKY IN THAT REGARD. FORD REPS, BOTH AT THE DEALERSHIP LEVEL AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE (THEIR PHONE # LOCATED IN THE FORD SERVICE MANUALLY) DENIED ANY PROBLEMS....YET THE INTERNET IS FULL OF COMPLAINTS. PLEASE TELL ME YOU ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ARE TRYING TO FIND SOME RECOURSE FOR THE FORD CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEMS AND EXPENSE THAT I HAVE. ALL THE MECHANICS THAT I HAVE TALKED TO WERE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. THAT ONLY ADDS TO MY DISMAY. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN MORE PUBLIC INFO ON THIS PROBLEM....WHY HASN'T THIS PROBLEM BEEN ADDRESSED BY FORD MOTOR CO. OR AT LEAST FAIRLY HANDLED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. AT THE VERY LEAST, I WOULD APPRECIATE SOME RECOGNITION THAT YOUR AGENCY IS AWARE AND LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU SO MUCH! *TR
AS I TYPE THIS COMPLAINT, I AM LISTENING TO SECRETARY LAHOOD,....IF WHAT HE SAYS IS TRUE I SHOULD HEAR SOMETHING BACK FROM YOU FAIRLY SOON!! I HAVE A COMPLAINT WITH THE V10 FORD ENGINE.....IF YOU GO TO THE INTERNET AND TYPE IN "FORD V10 ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTING" OR ANYTHING SIMILAR TO THAT INQUIRY YOU WILL GET A HOST OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM EXPERIENCING. MY 1997 FORD (MOTORHOME) SPIT OUT A SPARK PLUG SEVERAL MONTH AGO. CALLED FORD, THEY SUGGESTED THAT I HAVE MY MECHANIC INSTALL AN "INSERT" TO REPAIR THE STRIPPED OUT HEAD OR REPLACE THE HEADS.....OFFERED NO OTHER HELP. THE INSERT "FIX COST" $1,000. NEW HEADS WOULD HAVE COST $3,000 EACH. WORK WOULD BE GUARANTEED FOR A WHOPPING "90 DAYS". I OPTED FOR THE $1,000. FIX. AFTER THE FIX, MY WIFE (FIGHTING LUNG CANCER) AND I (RETIRED AIR FORCE-MILITARY) HEADED TO FLORIDA FROM MICHIGAN. WE MADE IT TO INDIANAPOLIS....APPROX 350 MILES. THE NEWLY REPAIRED "HEAD INSERT" ALLOWED THE PLUG TO SPIT OUT AGAIN!! LONG STORY SHORT, WE RETURNED HOME AND HAD A NEW ENGINE (REMANUFACTURED) ENGINE INSTALLED AT A COST OF $5,000. MY MILITARY PENSION CANNOT AFFORD THESE KIND OF MONETARY HITS. I AM ALSO TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A FIRE. WE WERE LUCKY IN THAT REGARD. FORD REPS, BOTH AT THE DEALERSHIP LEVEL AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE (THEIR PHONE # LOCATED IN THE FORD SERVICE MANUALLY) DENIED ANY PROBLEMS....YET THE INTERNET IS FULL OF COMPLAINTS. PLEASE TELL ME YOU ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ARE TRYING TO FIND SOME RECOURSE FOR THE FORD CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEMS AND EXPENSE THAT I HAVE. ALL THE MECHANICS THAT I HAVE TALKED TO WERE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. THAT ONLY ADDS TO MY DISMAY. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN MORE PUBLIC INFO ON THIS PROBLEM....WHY HASN'T THIS PROBLEM BEEN ADDRESSED BY FORD MOTOR CO. OR AT LEAST FAIRLY HANDLED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. AT THE VERY LEAST, I WOULD APPRECIATE SOME RECOGNITION THAT YOUR AGENCY IS AWARE AND LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU SO MUCH! *TR
View all Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip complaints →
Safety Rating for the 1997 FORD ECONOLINE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 FORD ECONOLINE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 FORD ECONOLINE
Ford Motor Company has issued 52 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1997 FORD ECONOLINE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
00154 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
INFORMATION ON REAR AXLE WHINE-VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DANA 80 AXLES-5.4L/6.8L AND 7.3L. *JB
00510 — SUSPENSION
CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONCERNED THAT VEHICLE LOOKS LIKE IT DOGTRACKS, DUE TO A UNIQUE FEATURE OF THE VEHICLE THAT COMBINE TO CREATE AN OPTICAL ILLUSION OF DOGTRACKING, A CONDITION WHICH THE REAR AXLE IS NOT SQUARE TO THE CHASSIS. *MJS
99E03 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
EMISSION RECALL FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL FILLER-VALVE WHICH COULD LEAK WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED WHICH CAN EXCEED EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS STANDARDS. *TT
996890 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
SOME VEHICLES WITH AN ILLUMINATED AIR BAG LAMP MAY HAVE MODIFIED SEAT CONFIGURATIONS WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN CHANGED BY MODIFIERS OR THE CUSTOMER. *TT
6538 — STEERING
SOME VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE APRIL 1, 1999 MAY HAVE A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF A CLUNK FELT / HEARD IN THE STEERING WHEEL. *TT
12890 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
BRIEF INFORMATION ON REMOVING THE FUEL TANK SOLENOID VALVE THREAD. *TT
996034 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
EXPERIENCING A ENGINE KNOCK AT COLD START-UP. *TT
98129 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A 1ST GEAR "TICKING" NOISE. *TT
5371 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONCERN WITH POOR RANGE OF THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) TRANSMITTER. *TT
12287 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONCERN WITH POOR RANGE OF THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) TRANSMITTER. *TT
Showing 10 of 52 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 FORD ECONOLINE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FORD ECONOLINE
- 1992 FORD ECONOLINE — 113 complaints
- 1993 FORD ECONOLINE — 71 complaints
- 1994 FORD ECONOLINE — 164 complaints
- 1995 FORD ECONOLINE — 98 complaints
- 1996 FORD ECONOLINE — 96 complaints
- 1997 FORD ECONOLINE (current)
- 1998 FORD ECONOLINE — 61 complaints
- 1999 FORD ECONOLINE — 102 complaints
- 2000 FORD ECONOLINE — 46 complaints
- 2001 FORD ECONOLINE — 31 complaints
- 2002 FORD ECONOLINE — 25 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints