1999 Ford ECONOLINE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
76 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
75,795 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 76 complaints (10.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 19.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 10.5% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 9.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 7 |
| Tires | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 7; Tires: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 58 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 21 |
| 2001 | 13 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 21; 2001: 13; 2002: 7; 2003: 1; 2004: 3; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 4; 2008: 8; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 4; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2016: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10067186 · 2004-04-14 (April 14, 2004)
WHILE BRAKING AT LOW SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067186 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10433618 · 2011-10-30 (October 30, 2011)
MY FORD E350 1999 MADE A LOUD FLAPPING NOISE AS I WAS LEAVING MY HOME. I PULLED RIGHT BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I FOUND OUT THAT THE #2 SPARK PLUG HAD COMPLETELY BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED ON ANY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLES. I AM A MECHANIC, AND FORMER JET ENGINE MECHANIC ALSO. MY OBDII CONFIRMED A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER #2 THAT IS HOW I LOCATED WHICH PLUG IT WAS. FORD SAID IT WOULD COST $260 TO LOOK AT IT, AND UP TO $1700 IF THEY COULD REPAIR IT. PLUS TOW…
Owner-reported narrative. 197,540 miles reported. Look up ODI 10433618 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020584 · 2003-05-27 (May 27, 2003)
I HAVE A 1999 FORD ECONOLINE CONVERSION VAN, THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS A CONSTANT GAS SMELL. I HAVE HAD IT OR TAKEN IT TO THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE VAN HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020584 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10113729 · 2005-03-09 (March 9, 2005)
VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ANOTHER PROBLEM AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT FUEL TANK HAS A CRACK. THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE FUEL LINE CRACK NHTSA RECALL 01V114000.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 71,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10113729 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10207180 · 2007-10-24 (October 24, 2007)
1996 FORD ECONOLINE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATED HE THEN PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. *KB THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT TIRE, ROTOR, STEERING ARM AND FRONT QUARTER PANEL. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10207180 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10223140 · 2008-04-02 (April 2, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ECONOLINE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD. HE PURCHASED A NEW VACUUM PUMP AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 04/22/08. *LJ
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10223140 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734860 · 2000-10-21 (October 21, 2000)
NEW VEHICLE WITH ONLY 6,000 MILES AND ONE YEAR OF SERVICE SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER CONSUMERS WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734860 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 735792 · 2000-11-05 (November 5, 2000)
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE BRAKES FAILED PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT WERE TOLD BY DEALER THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WAS COMMON FOR ABS BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO FLOOR WHEN SITTING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT HOWEVER THEY DID PLAY WITH PEDAL UNTIL IT CAME UP SEVERAL TRIPS TO DEALER NEVER RESOLVED PROBLEM YET WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER AND COMPLAINED ABOUT BRAKES , TRANSMISSION,STEERING,OUTSIDE RIGHT MIRROR AND SEAT BELT IN MID RIGHT SEAT DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH ANYTHING BUT MIRROR WHICH THEY REPLACED HOWEVER TWO HOURS LATER ANOTHER DE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 735792 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 870392 · 2000-09-13 (September 13, 2000)
WHILE TRAVELING IN HOT WEATHER VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION.*AK SERVICE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND WHEN ENGINE DIED, THE DRIVER COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 870392 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071142 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
I BELIEVE INEFFECTIVE REPAIRS ARE BEING DONE AND ONLY THE SYMPTOMS ARE BEING TREATED. I HAVE TWO FAILED OIL PUMPS, THREE FAILED WATER PUMPS, A FAILED ALTERNATOR...AND THREE ATTEMPTS TO FIX VARIOUS OIL LEAKS....ALL WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. THE EXHAUST BOLTS THAT WERE PUT ON IN MAY, 2003 WEREN'T EVEN ON IN AUGUST, A COVER THAT GOES UNDER THE RADIATOR FLEW OFF ON THE HIGHWAY...I AM NOW WONDERING WHAT ELSE...IN ADDITION...THERE NEEDS TO BE A CAUSE TO THE CONSTANTLY FAILING WATER PUMPS. THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, AC, ETC. FAILURES ARE MINOR IN COMPARI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10071142 at NHTSA ↗