1997 Ford ECONOLINE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
48 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
89,400 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires:Tread/Belt is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 48 complaints (14.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 14.6% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 6.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 7 |
| Tires | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 2 |
Tires:Tread/Belt: 7; Tires: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 41 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 | 16 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2000: 16; 2001: 12; 2002: 2; 2003: 7; 2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 4; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Tires:Tread/Belt leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002609 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
STEERING CONTROL ARM SNAP.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002609 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004481 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES AT 40 MPH THE BRAKES WILL LOCK UP CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE A VEHICLE ROLLOVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011722 · 2003-04-02 (April 2, 2003)
THE INSURANCE COMPANY ADVISED THE CHURCH TO REMOVE THE REAR SEAT OF THE VAN OR PAY A HIGHER PREMIUM. THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHURCH REQUESTED INFORMATION OF THE CHURCH HAS REQUESTED INFORMATION ABOUT THE VEHICLE AND IT DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH A FULL COMPLIMENT OF THE 15 PASSENGERS. MR SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011722 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017809 · 2003-04-29 (April 29, 2003)
THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL DUE TO A FUEL TANK CRACK *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017809 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018801 · 2003-05-16 (May 16, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 114,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018801 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025319 · 2003-07-02 (July 2, 2003)
A FIRESTONE TIRE ON THE FRONT OF OUR COMPANY VAN DELAMINATED. IT WAS ABOUT 1 YEAR OLD AND IS NOT ON ANY RECALL LIST. I HAVE PICTURES ALONG WITH THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE TRUCK. LUCKLY NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DOING 65 MPH AT THE TIME. THE TIRE NEVER WENT FLAT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 126,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042316 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
VEHICLE'S ROOF SEPARATED FROM CHASSIS WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH. *MR WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VAN'S ROOF SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS AND FELL ONTO THE ROADWAY BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE SEPARATED SECTION INCLUDED THE FIBERGLASS SHELL AD DOME WIRING. PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRENCE, THE WOOD FRAME SUPPORT WAS STRENGTHENED TO CORRECT THE LOOSE FITTING INTERIOR FRAME. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042316 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055732 · 2004-01-23 (January 23, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THE NOISE WAS HEARD, IT BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING PIN BOX NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD TO HAVE THIRTEEN SETS OF TIRES REPLACED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055732 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
08V051000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
Reported: 2008-02-04 (February 4, 2008)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V193000 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
Reported: 1996-10-02 (October 2, 1996)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗