1986 Ford econoline
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1986 Ford econoline is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1986 Ford econoline at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1986 Ford econoline recalls 6
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO EXCESSIVE UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES IN SEVERE DUTY APPLICATIONS.
Fix: INSTALL MODIFICATION KITS TO MINIMIZE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL EXPULSION AND TO SHIELD UNDERBODY COMPONENTS FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT.
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Fix: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
EXPULSION OF FUEL DUE TO OVERPRESSURIZATION.
Fix: MODIFICATION OF THE BASE FUEL VENTING AND EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM TO REDUCE OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES.
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.
Fix: INSTALLATION OF A NEWLY DESIGNED VAPOR VALVE GROMMET.
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 ACCIDENT.
Fix: INSTALL NEW DRAG LINK ASSEMBLIES WITH STEEL BALL AND SOCKET JOINTS AT THE PITMAN ARM CONNECTIONS.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1986 Ford econoline common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
Investigations & service bulletins
Manufacturer service bulletins 17
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 17.
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
Bulletin 01156 · Visibility · Aug 2001INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
Bulletin 0015 · Power Train · Jan 2000SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT
Bulletin 99222 · Electrical System · Oct 1999INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT
Bulletin 99196 · Equipment · Sep 1999INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT
Bulletin 99152 · Power Train · Jul 1999FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC
Bulletin 98246 · Electrical System · Dec 1998INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC
Bulletin 9888 · Power Train · Apr 1998INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC
Bulletin 9852 · Tires · Apr 1998INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT
Bulletin 9864 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 1998FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD
Bulletin 97511 · Power Train · Mar 1997Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the ECONOLINE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 4
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1986 Ford econoline. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Structure
1983-87 E-250 AND 350 WITH 7.5 LITRE AND 1985-87 HEAVY DUTY E-250 AND 350 WITH 5.8 LITRE 4V ENGINE AND A GVW OVER 8,500 LBS. THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO GENERATE EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES IN SEVERE DUTY APPLICATIONS, PARTICULARLY IF FUELED WITH OVERLY VOLATILE GASOLINE. THIS CAN CREATE AN ABNORMAL POTENTIAL FOR EXPULSION OF LIQUID FUE…
Transport Canada #1987105 · Oct 1987Fuel System
ON VEHICLES WITH EFI OR CFI, THE SPRING-LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING USED TO CONNECT THE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES TO THE EFI FUEL RAILS OR TO THE CFI THROTTLE BODIES AS WELL AS OTHER FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS NEAR THE DASH PANELS ON SOME VEHICLES, COULD DISENGAGE DURING VEHICLE USE. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, LOSS OF FUEL WILL RESULT, PROVIDING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE. CORRECTION:…
Transport Canada #1987098 · Sep 1987Steering
UNDER CERTAIN LOW SPEED TIGHT TURNING CONDITIONS UNDER HIGH LOAD, THE RUBBER WITHIN THE RUBBER ENCASED BALL STUD AND SOCKET JOINT CONNECTING THE STEERING DRAG LINK AND PITMAN ARM MAY DETERIORATE CAUSING GALLING OF THE BALL STUD AND SOCKET.THIS COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SEPERATION OF THE DRAG LINK AND PITMAN ARM AND LOSS OF STEERING. CORRECTION:DRAG LINK ASSEMBLIES WITH STEEL BAL…
Transport Canada #1986079 · Jul 1986Structure
E350 RV AND COMMERCIAL CUTAWAY ECONOLINE VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES WHERE COMPLETED WITH BODIES WHICH RESTRICTED THE DISSAPATION OF UNDERBODY HEAT.IN SUCH A CASE EXTENDED IDLING COULD OVERHEAT THE COMPOSITE GRAPHITE DRIVESHAFT AND,IF A HIGH START UP TORQUE APPLIED,TWIST AND SHORTEN THE DRIVESHAFT CAUSING THE SLIP YOKE TO DISCONNECT. CORRECTION:METAL DRIVESHAFTS WILL BE INSTALLED.
Transport Canada #1986078 · Jul 1986Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Ford econoline
The Ford E-Series is a range of full-size vans produced by the Ford Motor Company since 1961. Introduced as a replacement for the Ford F-Series panel van, the line has spanned four generations. Sold in both retail and commercial markets, the E-Series has been offered as passenger and cargo vans, as well as in cutaway and stripped-chassis configurations.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.