Ford Econoline Recalls & Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA lists 58 safety recalls and 909 owner complaints across 48 model years of the Ford Econoline (1967–2026). The most-complained-about year is 1994.
Pick your Ford Econoline model year
- 1967
- 1969
- 1971
- 1972
- 1975
- 1976
- 1977
- 1978
- 1979
- 1980
- 1981
- 1982
- 1983
- 1984
- 1985
- 1986
- 1987
- 1988
- 1989
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- 1992
- 1993
- 1994
- 1995
- 1996
- 1997
- 1998
- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2026
What Ford Econoline owners complain about
Across all model years, owners have filed 909 complaints with NHTSA. The 1994 model year has the most, with 124.
All Ford Econoline recalls (58)
Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Ford Econoline, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.
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Fan/motor (visibility)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Econoline vehicles. The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system blower motor may fail, which can cause the defrosting and defogging system to become inoperative.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HVAC blower motor assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is…
Model years: 2026
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Camera (back over prevention)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June…
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Equipment
Unicell Body Company Inc. (Unicell) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savanna, 2018-2019 Hino 155, Ford Econoline and Transit and Isuzu NPR, and 2018 Ram ProMaster-based vehicles equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image. The affected monitors may revert back to the…
Remedy: Unicell will work with ASA Electronics to notify owners and offer a remedy, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact ASA Electronics customer service 1-800-384-4400 or Unicell at 1-716-853-8628.
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Automatic transmission (power train) and clutch assembly (power train)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Ford Econoline vehicles equipped with a 5R110W transmission, 5.4L engine, and a school bus or ambulance preparation package. A weld within the coast clutch may fail, causing an unexpected loss of drive power.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the single-engaging coast one-way clutch with a new dual-engaging one-way clutch, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer…
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Equipment adaptive/mobility
Sunset vans is recalling 169 my 2005-2007 econoline, g series and sprinter trucks built on dodge, ford and chevrolet chassis and equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift system accessible for motor vehicles." the…
Remedy: Sunset vans is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or sunset vans at 1-888-280-8267.
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Equipment adaptive/mobility
Sunset vans is recalling 267 my 2005-2007 econoline, g series and sprinter trucks built on dodge, ford and chevrolet chassis and equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the…
Remedy: Sunset vans is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or sunset vans at 1-888-280-8267.
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Cruise control (vehicle speed control)
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…
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.
Model years: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
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Vehicle speed control
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on august 7, 2006. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332. (note: also see recalls 05v017 and 05v388)
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Storage (fuel system)
On certain cutaway chassis cab with the school bus option, two brackets and two outrigger members are missing in the area of the fuel tank.
Remedy: Ford will send technicians to the owner's location to inspect and add the brackets and outriggers as required. Owner notification began on september 3, 2003. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
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Child seat
Vehicle description: certain crew vans failed to comply with the requirements of FMVSS 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." these vehicles, which are designated as trucks, are 5 passenger vehicles with three designated seating positions in the second row seats. They were built without child seat tether anchorage brackets in the…
Remedy: Dealers will install the child seat tether anchorages at the center second row seating position, and also replace the vehicle owner guides with new versions providing the required written instructions. Eleven vehicles…
Model years: 2001
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Labels (equipment)
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…
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…
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Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (wheels)
Vehicle description: cutaways and stripped chassis with single rear wheels. The lug nuts can potentially bottom out on a shoulder on the studs.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear wheel attaching studs.
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Latch (latches/locks/linkages)
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."
Remedy: Dealers will replace the door striker.
Model years: 1999
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Manual transmission (power train)
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install the correct speedometer gear.
Model years: 1999
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)
Vehicle description: light duty passenger vans and stripped chassis. There is interference between the parking brake cable and the fuel line which, over time, can result in damage to the fuel line causing fuel leakage.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel supply line. In addition, a piece of anti-abrasion insulation will be installed to prevent abrasion of the fuel line.
Model years: 1995
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Conventional (parking brake)
The parking brake systems may not hold the vehicles on a 20% grade with foot pedal efforts of 125 pounds or less. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems."
Remedy: Dealers will adjust the parking brake system on the affected vehicles.
Model years: 1996
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Cables (electrical system)
The battery cable harness does not have adequate protection from contacting and being damaged by the right engine mount.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for chafing of the cable and will add insulation and a tie strap to the battery cable harness.
Model years: 1997
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Linkage and cable (parking brake)
The parking brake front cables were built longer than appropriate that reduces the performance of the parking brake in certain circumstances, and fails to fully comply with all the requirements of FMVSS no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems."
Remedy: Dealers will repair the parking brake system on the affected vehicles.
Model years: 1995
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Interior lighting
The transformer used to power the neon center lightbeam can overheat and catch on fire.
Remedy: Mark iii dealers will modify the assemblies to eliminate the neon lighting fixture in the vehicle and replace it with incandescent lights operating directly from the vehicle 12-volt battery.
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Conventional (parking brake)
These vehicles do not comply with FMVSS 105, "hydraulic brake systems." the parking brake application force for a foot operated control system should not exceed 125 pounds to hold the vehicle on a 30% grade. Interference between the parking brake pedal and a wire harness may increase the needed pedal force to greater than 125 pounds to…
Remedy: Final stage manufacturers will be informed of this condition and provided with parts and instructions necessary to correct this situation.
Model years: 1994
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Fuel system, gasoline
The fuel filler hose or fuel filler vent hose was damaged by a drill bit used to install the dso package attaching hardware onto the floor pan.
Remedy: Replace the fuel filler and vent hoses and relocate the mounting hardware in the floor pan.
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Shock absorber (suspension)
The rear shock crossmember of the frame can crack and separate from the frame.
Remedy: Replace the rear chock crossmember with a shock crossmember made of high strength steel.
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Labels (equipment)
The tire certification labels incorrectly identify the vehicle tire requirements as p235/75r15 sl (standard load), rather than as p235/75r15 xl (extra load).
Remedy: Correct tire information labels and installation instructions will be mailed to the owners of these vehicles. Owners will be instructed that dealers can install the label provided if they prefer.
Model years: 1992
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Anchorage (seat belts)
The safety belt anchorage for the rear bench seat failed to comply with the standards of FMVSS 210.
Remedy: The manufacture will replace the non-complying safety belt anchorage with a new anchorage that meets the requirements of FMVSS 210.
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Selector devices (fuel system)
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.
Remedy: Replace the dual fuel tank selector valve.
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Gear position indication (prndl) (power train)
Under certain conditions, the snap ring that locates the park gear on the output shaft of the transmission may fracture.
Remedy: Install improved snap ring and revised transmission extension housing.
Model years: 1989, 1990
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Emission control (engine and engine cooling)
Vehicles are subject to excessive underhood temperatures and fuel system pressures in severe duty applications.
Remedy: Install modification kits to minimize possibility of fuel expulsion and to shield underbody components from exhaust system heat.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Remedy: Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage.
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Emission control (engine and engine cooling)
Expulsion of fuel due to overpressurization.
Remedy: Modification of the base fuel venting and emission control system to reduce operating temperatures and fuel system pressures.
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Mounting (fuel system)
Fuel leak at the top of the front fuel tank in the area of the vapor valve grommet. Grommet may split due to compressive load when installed in the fuel tank.
Remedy: Installation of a newly designed vapor valve grommet.
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Connection (steering)
The rubber that encases ball stud and socket joint (connects steering drag link and pitman arm) may deteriorate, causing metal to metal contact, and may eventually result in complete separation. Consequence of defect: complete separation of the drag link to pitman arm connection results in loss of steering control which may lead to an…
Remedy: Install new drag link assemblies with steel ball and socket joints at the pitman arm connections.
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Fuel system, diesel
When frontally impacted into a fixed barrier at 30 MPH, as specified in federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) no. 301, the left frame rails of such vehicles may displace inboard, pinching the fuel/water separator canister between the frame rail and engine sufficiently to displace the fuel/water separator drain rod, allowing the…
Remedy: Install a canister shield, a revised design drain rod shield, and modify fuel/water separator mounting bracket.
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Carburetor system (fuel system)
The secondary throttle shaft may, with accumulated mileage, become contaminated and may stick in a partially open position while driving.
Remedy: The primary to secondary throttle closure link on the carburetor will be replaced free of charge.
Model years: 1984
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Wheels
Some vehicles may have been built with improperly manufactured wheels. The welds securing the center sections to the rims may crack from fatigue.
Remedy: Affected wheels will be replaced.
Model years: 1984
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Automatic transmission (power train)
The parking gear may not engage, even though the gear shift lever is placed in the "park" position. This occurs if the linkage inside the transmission that actuates the park gear was improperly manufactured. A pin that retains components on a linkage (actuating) rod could break and the linkage may not engage the parking gear.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the parking pawl actuating rod assembly.
Model years: 1983
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Fuel pump (fuel system)
Some of the involved vehicles may have a diode in the electrical fuel pump circuit that may short during engine starting due to inadequate capacity to withstand current draw. A short circuit would result in normal engine starting, but the pump will not continue to supply the engine with fuel.
Remedy: The dealer will replace defective element in the electrical fuel pump circuit with a new relay feed wiring assembly which contains a larger capacity diode, free of charge.
Model years: 1983
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Column shift (power train)
On some of the involved vehicles, the shift rod in the transmission may not be properly seated in the retention grommet of the steering column shift lever assembly. If the shift rod were to disengage, the driver could not select the proper transmission function which would create the potential for unexpected movement of the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect the shift rod attachment and make sure it is properly seated at no cost to owner.
Model years: 1982
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Tank assembly (fuel system)
The involved vehicles may not meet the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity". In a moving barrier impact test from the rear at 30 MPH, the fastener attaching the fuel sender ground wire to the frame crossmember, aft of the fuel tank, pierced the fuel tank.
Remedy: The fuel sender ground wire attachment on all affected vehicles will be relocated to eliminate the danger, without charge to owner.
Model years: 1982
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Shift pattern indicator (power train)
The gear position indicators on certain vehicles may be too short to be readily visible to some drivers. This is not in compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 101, "controls and display", which states that the gear position display must be visible to driver.
Remedy: If pointer of gear position indicator is found to be too short, it will be replaced without charge to owner.
Model years: 1981
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
Certain vehicles were equipped with front brake hose assemblies that were incorrectly manufactured by the supplier. These assemblies, both rh and lh, were incorrectly built with the fittings misoriented by 90 degrees. This could cause chafing of the brake hose through contact with the adjacent tire during full turns. Continued chafing…
Remedy: Dealer will inspect both front brake hoses and, if necessary, replace one or both hoses at no charge.
Model years: 1980
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Hubcap/cover (wheels)
Certain vehicles were produced with wheel assemblies that may have cracks near the bolt holes in the wheel disc. During vehicle use, the cracks could gradually increase and result in partial or complete separation of the wheel and tire assembly from the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect the wheel disc date code and replace those wheels indicating an october 18, 1979 date of manufacture.
Model years: 1980
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Column shift (power train)
The parking pawl actuating rod in the transmission may have an insufficient or cracked weld. This can cause the park cam end to separate from the rod itself, preventing the parking pawl from engaging the parking gear when the selector is placed in the park position.
Remedy: Dealer will replace the defective parking pawl actuating rod free of charge.
Model years: 1980
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Wheels
The wheel assembly may contain substandard welds in the area where the disc is attached to the rim. As a result, cracks can form in the wheel assembly, causing air loss and an underinflated tire.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and replace any defective wheels without charge to owner.
Model years: 1979
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
The incorrectly installed left front brake hoses may allow for contact between the front brake hoses and the front tires when the front wheels are in full right or left turn positions. If contact is made, the hose could wear and allow brake fluid to leak out.
Remedy: The dealer will inspect front brake hoses and replace those lacking the proper clearance with current production hoses, without charge to owner.
Model years: 1979
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Underbody shields (structure)
Certain vehicles may not contain the specified body mounted heat shields. This could cause high floor pan temperatures when the engine is idled for extended periods of time. Fouled spark plugs or other engine conditions could further increase exhaust temperatures.
Remedy: The dealer will install the necessary frame mounted heat shield, if missing.
Model years: 1979
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Pedals and linkages (service brakes)
The involved vehicles were produced with brake push-rod to brake pedal retaining pins which were not heat-treated as specified. This could allow the brake pedal to become disengaged from the push-rod.
Remedy: Dealer will replace the suspect brake retaining pin.
Model years: 1979
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Shaft sector (steering)
The steering gears on the involved vehicles may have been built with improperly manufactured sector shafts from which the threaded portions of the shafts may fracture and separate. Should the sector shaft fracture, the pitman arm may disengage from the splined portion of the sector shaft.
Remedy: The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering gear assembly or install a new sector shaft in the steering gear assembly.
Model years: 1979
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Automatic transmission (power train)
The involved vehicles were equipped with automatic transmissions in which the parking pawl was not heat-treated. During normal vehicle operation, a parking pawl that has not been heat-treated could become deformed or worn to the point that the transmission will not lock in "park". As a result, the vehicle could roll free if the driver…
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the parking pawl with one that has been heat-treated.
Model years: 1979
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Automatic transmission (power train)
These transmissions may contain improperly manufactured parking pawl actuating rods. Consequently, the unhardened cam surface of these rods can allow the rod to deform during use with resultant increase in shift efforts and difficulty in releasing the parking pawl and engaging the parking gear.
Remedy: Dealer will replace the transmission parking pawl actuating rod without charge to owner.
Model years: 1979
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Column shift (power train)
On the involved vehicles, the park actuation support plates are defective due to their susceptibility to cracking due to improper heat treatment during manufacture. As a result, fragments from a broken plate can become lodged in the transmission parking pawl mechanism. This could prevent the transmission parking pawl from engaging when…
Remedy: The dealer will replace the park actuation cam support plates, free of charge, on all affected vehicles.
Model years: 1978
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Unknown or other
The instrument panels on the involved vehicles can be broken during occupant impact.
Remedy: The dealer will install a field-installable panel pad, free of charge, on all affected vehicles.
Model years: 1975, 1976, 1977
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Labels (equipment)
Model years: 1977
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
Model years: 1972
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Gear box (other than rack and pinion) (steering)
Model years: 1971
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Latch (latches/locks/linkages)
Model years: 1969
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Seats
Model years: 1969
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
Model years: 1969
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Suspension
Model years: 1967
Other Ford models
- F-15037,961 complaints
- Explorer34,566 complaints
- Escape27,430 complaints
- Fusion22,405 complaints
- Focus22,096 complaints
- Taurus18,159 complaints
- Windstar14,158 complaints
- Edge14,065 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.