The 1997 Ford Econoline has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 230,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
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.
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.
Complaints by component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
14
3crashes
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
6
TIRES
6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
6
2crashes2deaths
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
4
1fires
SEATS
4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
4
SUSPENSION:FRONT
4
1crashes
Total complaints100
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“1997 ford econoline van. The spark-plug blew out of the aluminum triton engine destroying the existing threads. Fire hazard. Exposed fuel to engine compartment. *tr”
“1997 ford econoline. Consumer writes in regards to tire issues and repair reimbursement.* ld the consumer discovered the tires on her vehicle were recalled. However, she was never notified. Recall #12t007000. *jb”
“As I type this complaint, I am listening to secretary lahood,....if what he says is true I should hear something back from you fairly soon!! I have a complaint with the v10 ford engine.....if you go to the internet and type in "ford v10 engine spark plug ejecting" or anything similar to that…”
“As I type this complaint, I am listening to secretary lahood,....if what he says is true I should hear something back from you fairly soon!! I have a complaint with the v10 ford engine.....if you go to the internet and type in "ford v10 engine spark plug ejecting" or anything similar to that…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford econoline. The contact stated that while driving at any speed, the brakes malfunctioned. The contact had to apply the brakes several times before they would engage. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The manufacturer, when called, stated that the master…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford econoline. The contact received a safety recall notice for the vehicle speed control in september of 2007. He has been informed every month thereafter that the part would be available the following month. He spoke with the dealer in april of 2008 and was informed to…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford econoline. The contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign id number 08v051000 (vehicle speed control: cruise control) in december of 2007. She has been unable to get the recall repaired. The dealer and manufacturer stated that the parts will be available in…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford econoline. The contact received a recall notice in august of 2007 for the vehicle speed control. The switch was disconnected. The dealer stated that they had not received any parts; however, the manufacturer stated that they have sent some parts to all of the…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP05005 Opened 2005-09-22 · closed 2006-01-04
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
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…
InvestigationDP05005 Opened 2005-09-22 · closed 2006-01-04
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
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…
InvestigationDP05005 Opened 2005-09-22 · closed 2006-01-04
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Ford Econoline as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.