1990 Ford Econoline recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. THE REAR SHOCK CROSSMEMBER OF THE FRAME CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME.
What could happen: SEPARATION OF THE REAR SHOCK CROSSMEMBER FROM THE FRAMECAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: REPLACE THE REAR CHOCK CROSSMEMBER WITH A SHOCK CROSSMEMBER MADE OF HIGH STRENGTH STEEL.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 ECONOLINE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V073000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
Summary: THE REAR SHOCK CROSSMEMBER OF THE FRAME CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME.
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE REAR SHOCK CROSSMEMBER FROM THE FRAMECAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE REAR CHOCK CROSSMEMBER WITH A SHOCK CROSSMEMBER MADE OF HIGH STRENGTH STEEL.
Notes: SYSTEM: SUSPENSION.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS; MODEL E250 ECONOLINE.
2. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE MAY MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN OVERFILL CONDITION IN ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS, RESULTING IN AN OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP.
What could happen: THE OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP CAUSES A FUELLEAKAGE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The fix: REPLACE THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 ECONOLINE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 91V146000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES
Summary: THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE MAY MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN OVERFILL CONDITION IN ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS, RESULTING IN AN OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP.
Consequence: THE OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP CAUSES A FUELLEAKAGE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL TANK, AUXILLIARY.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS AND LIGHT TRUCKS WITH DUAL FUEL TANKS PRODUCED IN THEFOLLOWING PERIODS: F150, F250, AND F350 LIGHT TRUCKS BUILT BETWEEN FEBRUARY 28,1989 AND JULY, 1989; ECONOLINE BUILT BETWEEN FEBRUARY 28, 1989 ANDFEBRUARY 11, 1991.NOTE: FORD HAS AGREED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES BUT PARTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE.PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN DECEMBER 1991. YOU WILL RECEIVE A LETTER FROM FORDADVISING YOU WHEN TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALLWORK PERFORMED. IN THE MEAN TIME, YOU CAN TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS:FILL EACH TANK TO ONLY 1/3 FULL.IF YOUR VEHICLE LEAKS FUEL OR IF YOU SMELL FUEL, STOP USING THE VEHICLE ANDCALL FORD AT (313) 446-4654 AND ADVISE THEM OF YOUR PROBLEM. REFER TO FORDSAFETY RECALL NUMBER 91S39. AN OPERATOR WILL TAKE YOUR NAME AND TELEPHONENUMBER. A FORD REPRESENTATIVE WILL CALL YOU BACK.
3. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
What could happen: WHEN THE GEAR IS PLACED IN PARK, THE PARK GEAR WOULD NOTENGAGE, ALLOWING THE TRUCK TO ROLL FREELY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT PROPERLYSET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: INSTALL IMPROVED SNAP RING AND REVISED TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 ECONOLINE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 90V101000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
Summary: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
Consequence: WHEN THE GEAR IS PLACED IN PARK, THE PARK GEAR WOULD NOTENGAGE, ALLOWING THE TRUCK TO ROLL FREELY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT PROPERLYSET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL IMPROVED SNAP RING AND REVISED TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING.
Notes: SYSTEM: PARK GEAR SNAP RING.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4 X 2 LIGHT TRUCKS AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH ONE-PIECEDRIVESHAFT AND AN E40D TRANSMISSION.
4. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. THE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE FOR THE REAR BENCH SEAT FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE STANDARDS OF FMVSS 210.
What could happen: FAILURE TO MEET THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210 PLACETHE SEAT OCCUPANTS IN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOPOR ACCIDENT.
The fix: THE MANUFACTURE WILL REPLACE THE NON-COMPLYING SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE WITH A NEW ANCHORAGE THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 ECONOLINE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 91V172000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Summary: THE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE FOR THE REAR BENCH SEAT FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE STANDARDS OF FMVSS 210.
Consequence: FAILURE TO MEET THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210 PLACETHE SEAT OCCUPANTS IN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOPOR ACCIDENT.
Remedy: THE MANUFACTURE WILL REPLACE THE NON-COMPLYING SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE WITH A NEW ANCHORAGE THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210.
Notes: SYSTEM: REAR BENCH SEAT: SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE, FMVSS 210.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FULL SIZED VAN (ECONOLINE) CONVERSIONS.NOTE: THIS RECALL IS BEING CONDUCTED BY GLAVAL CORPORATION;29340 LEXINGTON PARK DRIVE; ELKHART, INDIANA 46515.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1990 Ford Econoline owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (16), Hydraulic (16), Wheels / tires (5), Fuel system (5), Electrical system (5).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
12/03/2003 · Wheels / tires · crash
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE GUARD RAIL. *AK *SCC *JB
09/11/2003 · Fuel system
CONSUMER NOTICED A GAS SMELL INSIDE OF VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING. SAW GAS POURING OUT OF GAS TANK. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN REPLACED FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT. *AK
05/05/2003 · Engine
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE FAN BELTS SNAP CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE BRAKE POWER. DEALER NOTIFIED
04/03/2002 · Fuel system
GAS TANK DOES NOT WORK. CONSUMER CAN BE RIDING DOWN THE STREET AND AUTOMOBILE WILL CUT OFF. THIS HAPPENS WHEN RIDING ON REAR TANK ONLY.*AK
01/11/2000 · Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK, APPLIED BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. TO GAIN CONTROL, VEHICLE WAS PUT IN PARK. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
11/01/1999 · Wheels / tires
THE ENTIRE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH BY HITTING THE GUARDRAIL. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) YH
11/01/1999 · Wheels / tires
THE ENTIRE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH BY HITTING THE GUARDRAIL. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) YH
11/01/1999 · Wheels / tires
THE ENTIRE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH BY HITTING THE GUARDRAIL. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) YH