1983 Ford Econoline Recalls, Complaints & Specs
5 safety recalls list the 1983 Ford Econoline, and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
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5 safety recalls for the 1983 Ford Econoline
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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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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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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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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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.
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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.
2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1983 Ford Econoline have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 5,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 2000 with 1 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Tl* the contact owns a 1983 ford econoline van, equipped with cooper lifeliner classic ii tires, size 255/70/r15. The contact stated that there were cracks and blisters in the sidewall of the four tir”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 9, 2013 · Tires
“Van was bought used from dealer but i knew previous owner. Van had 4 like new tires. Van was in near mint condition despite age and mileage. While on vacation, right rear tire blew out. Big hole, stee”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 30, 2000 · Tires
Compare Ford Econoline model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Ford Econoline model year in NHTSA's database.
Checking a specific 1983 Ford Econoline
How do I know if my 1983 Ford Econoline has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 1983 Ford Econoline; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Ford dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 82V124000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
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.