1996 Ford Econoline Conversion from North America - Comments

Needed new shocks/brakes/tires after 50,000 miles.

Needed to replace the engine coolant temperature sensor.

Air pump was replaced after it got too noisy.

Needed transmission flushed due to dirty fluid after 55,000 miles.

Good value for the size and interior space.

Slow acceleration with the 5.0 liter engine.

Poor rear visibility for city traffic, but fine for the open road.

You sit up very high, so forward visibility is great.

Mine is a conversion van, so interior has a few squeaks and rattles.

Price was far less than for a large SUV, plus more room.

I agree with everything but the slow acceleration. We have a 94 with the same motor and it will hit 60mph really quick.

We have a 1998 E150 Conversion model with 53,000 miles and other than a factory recall for a minor transmission repair, it has been a dream to own. TONS of room for a family of four (or larger) and the only way to travel long distances. We get just over 13mpg on the highway with the 5.0 liter engine. I think it accelerates adequately for its size and it handles well. It was 8-10 thousand less than a comparably equipped SUV and has a lot more room, especially headroom. Great vehicle that I would definitely buy again (and may get a second one in the meantime).

We bought a 1996 Ford Econoline van used in 1998 and it was the worse vehicle we ever owned. There was nothing but trouble with it, beginning at 21,000 miles when we needed it serviced (under warranty) for an electrical problem that would cause the control buttons for the 'mood lights' to blink. After that, and of course off warranty, is when the real trouble began. At 43,000 miles the air conditioning compressor seized and the serpentine belt needed replaced. There were numerous tows required for engine failures, one when we were towing out camper home from storage for a weekend of family fun. Needless to say, our trip was cancelled. At 66,000 miles, we were traveling through Pennsylvania on our way to Philly/ D.C, and the van simply quit running on the PA turnpike. It broke down 3 more times on our way there. The second time we broke down we were in Bear Delaware, and the repair shop left the van outside overnight and it was broken into. The third breakdown, my husband figured the trouble might be the ignition module, so he replaced it a parking lot in Delaware. WE got home OK, but on our way to our daughter's dentist appointment... yep - another breakdown so we replaced the fuel pump. At 75,000 miles, the tie rods broke and needed replaced. At 80,000 miles -- on the DOT -- and on my way home from work, it simply stalled!! No warning, nothing. Luckily I was on a side-street and no one was behind be. There was a huge electrical problem with this van and Ford and the NTSB thought we didn't experience enough trouble with it for it to be recalled!! The ABS light came on every time the brakes were applied, the air bag light would flash, the check engine light came on often- my dashboard looked like a Christmas tree!! The cruise control quit working and in order to use my horn, I had to put the van in 'park', turn the engine off and remove my key... but the clock on my radio would flash when I did this! We took it to a local repair shop to have a diagnostic test run to see why we were having all these problems, and they discovered a blown fuse. It was replaced, but a few days later the fuse must have blown again because all the problems were back again. We had the van for 9 years, all told it was towed 8 times and broke down 5 more times - not requiring a tow, but thankfully the hubby is a good mechanic and was able to get it home to work on! We just recently traded it in with over 105,000 miles on it. We got a Chevy conversion van. We will NEVER own another Ford, and we do tell everyone we can about our lemon, and the way Ford really does NOT care about customer service, safety and satisfaction.