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1999 Ford Econoline problems

The most common problem on the 1999 Ford Econoline is brakes. It has 28.0 times the complaints of a typical Econoline model year.

Typical year28.0x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
84
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
146
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 1999 Ford Econoline problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 Ford Econoline

Fuel leak 5Pulling 5Tire blowout 5

Recalls 5

Vehicle speed control: cruise controlReported February 4, 2008 · 225,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 08V051000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: labelsReported September 21, 2000 · 4,500 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: bi-fuel cng pickup trucks and bi-fuel cng vans, modified by cfi control systems, inc., fail to conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 303, "fuel system integrity of compressed natural gas vehicles." the label affixed to the fuel filler door by the vehicle modifier contains the inspection date and expiration date of the cng tank. However, it does not contain the statement "see instructions on the fuel container for inspection and service life."
Risk
These vehicles do not comply with the requirements.
Remedy
Owners will be provided a label with the required statement, along with instructions for affixing the label at the fuel filler door. Owner notification began november 2, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.

Recall number 00V284000 · Recall details

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studsReported April 19, 2000 · 3,300 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: cutaways and stripped chassis with single rear wheels. The lug nuts can potentially bottom out on a shoulder on the studs.
Risk
If this occurs, there can be an inadequate clamp load to attach the wheel to the axle, resulting in noise, damage to the wheel and hub, or in extreme cases, loss of a rear wheel while the vehicle is being driven.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear wheel attaching studs.

Recall number 00V115000 · Recall details

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latchReported March 15, 1999 · 2,893 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: utility vans equipped with the "60/40" hinged side cargo doors. The strikers for the 60/40 door single latch system were found to contain stress cracks at the striker wire lower stake joint. Strikers with stress cracks may not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 206, "door locks and door retention components."
Risk
In the event of a crash, the door strikers may not hold the door, increasing the risk of personal injury or property damage.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the door striker.

Recall number 99V046000 · Recall details

Power train: manual transmissionReported October 14, 1998 · 350 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: pickup trucks built with single rear wheels and equipped with 3.55:1 and 3.73:1 axle ratio. These vehicles were built with incorrect speedometer driven gears, resulting in a lower speedometer reading than the actual vehicle speed being driven.
Risk
This can result in the vehicle being driven at an unsafe or illegal speed should the driver not realize that his vehicle road speed is greater than the speedometer indication.
Remedy
Dealers will install the correct speedometer gear.

Recall number 98V257000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 1999 Ford Econoline

Defect investigations

Spark plug ejection from cylinder headOpened September 22, 2005, closed January 4, 2006

On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi?s analysis showed, it is possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles.however, odi?s analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences.none of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence.given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect is very low.in view of the foregoing, it is unlikely that the federal safety agency would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition is denied.

DP05005

Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Ford Econoline 146

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 146 bulletins for the 1999 Ford Econoline

What 1999 Ford Econoline owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 27, 2018 · Electrical · TX · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford econo rv s-duty equipped with a samsung microwave, model mr5493g. The contact stated that the failure was identical to oven circuit recall number: 03e044400. A neighbor advised the contact that the rv was on fire. The contact observed that the microwave caused the fire and she extinguished it without notifying the fire department. The contact sustained an extensive burn on her leg, but did not seek medical attention. Samsung advised her that they had no parts to repair the microwave although it was damaged beyond repair. The manufacturer also stated that there were no authorized rv dealers in her area to replace the microwave. The microwave was the original equipment in the rv and it was mounted on the ceiling of the rv. The fire burned a hole in the ceiling and caused damage to the cabinets. The contact had not driven the rv since the fire occurred due to the safety risk and the hole in the ceiling. The serial and part numbers were unknown.

Filed May 17, 2016 · Fuel system · 130,800 miles · NY

Van is leaking fuel when I attempt to fill the tank.

Filed Oct 27, 2014 · Fuel system · 83,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford econoline. The contact stated that there was a strong odor coming from the vehicle. The contact discovered that there was propane leaking. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the main propane tank needed to be lifted off the spring. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000. Updated 4/7/15*cn the consumer stated the manufacturer put propane/lipi gas lines around the back tires. The gas lines have no strong protective shields around them. The lipi gas line was sitting on top of the rear leaf spring. Updated 11/4/2015

Filed Sep 5, 2014 · Tires · 300,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact own a 1999 ford econoline 350 equipped with kelly tires, tire line: safari lt, tire size lt23585r16. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, a loud banging noise and the sound of metal being dragged on the ground was heard from outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road. The contact noticed that the front passenger's side tire exploded. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The defective tire had not been replaced.the manufacturer had not been notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 300,000. The tire failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Sep 9, 2013 · Fuel system · 20,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford econoline. The contact stated that a strong gasoline fuel odor emitted inside the vehicle. The odor had been present since the day of purchase and the dealer attempted to locate the source but to no avail. The contact later discovered that the fuel tank was fractured and leaking fuel. The fuel tank was not replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 218,000.

Filed Aug 26, 2013 · Fuel system · 78,916 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford econoline rv. The contact stated that fuel was leaking from the fuel tank. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that there was a metal strap cutting into the fuel tank. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 78,916.

Filed Dec 18, 2012 · Fuel system · 116,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford econoline e250 van. The contact stated that after refueling to capacity, the fuel filler shut off failed, causing gasoline fuel to spill back out onto the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 116,000.

Filed Nov 13, 2012 · Fuel system · 135,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford econoline e150. The contact stated whenever refueling, the fuel leaked onto the ground. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number 01v114000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly); however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000. Updated 12/21/12*lj upon inspection, the rubber gas filler hose to the gas tank was cracked, which caused fuel to leak when filling the tank. The repair cost was $ 300. Updated 01.09.13

Filed Oct 30, 2011 · Engine · 197,540 miles · CA

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 towing. I asked how much a new engine would cost since the van is in excellent condition. Ford said it would cost $7,200 for a new engine. This van has cost more for repairs than any vehicle I have owned in my life. I am 62. Air conditioning compressor $700.00 coil on spark plug $130 ABS brake sensor $138.00 flex plate and flywheel $700.(caused by loose ignition switch) egr black box $400 replacement. Ford wanted $100.00 to change my fuel filter. I went to the store and bought the special wrench for $16 ,did it myself in 15 minutes. Recall for wiring near the master cylinder that could catch fire, 1/2 days wages lost. It took me 4 hours to change spark plugs. It was the worst design I have ever seen. A nightmare to get to the spark plugs. I sold the van for $500 tonight. Glad the nightmare is over.

Filed Sep 6, 2011 · Engine · 76,589 miles · MI · fire

The spark plug ejected for the second time in two weeks and this time had a small fire that was put out right away that could have been real trouble as we had 9 people in the motorhome at the time.

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Questions about the 1999 Ford Econoline

Is the 1999 Ford Econoline reliable?

Owners have filed 84 complaints about the 1999 Ford Econoline, 28.0 times a typical Econoline model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1999 Ford Econoline?

Brakes, with 17 complaints. Next is engine (14).

How many recalls does the 1999 Ford Econoline have?

5 recalls, covering vehicle speed control, equipment and wheels.

What year does the Ford Econoline have bad brakes?

The Ford Econoline model years with the most brakes complaints are 1994 (29 complaints), 1995 (28 complaints) and 1996 (20 complaints).

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