Engine
4.2L 6-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 75 of 83 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 43 of 83 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Fuel system
21 complaint records
"DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PUMPING FUEL INTO THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THERE IS A CRACK ON THE TOP OF THE RUBBER FUEL HOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse fuel system parts in the directory →
Steering
17 complaint records3 crash reports
"E-150 VAN STEERING COLUMN "CLUNKS" DURING TURNS. IDENTIFIED PROBLEM WHEN VAN WAS NEW. TOLD THAT IT WAN'T DANGEROUS. SOUND IS INCREASING WITH AGE...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse steering parts in the directory →
Brakes
16 complaint records4 crash reports
"WHILE DRIVING BRAKES WILL HOLD SOMETIMES OR NOT HOLD AT ALL WHEN APPLIED, CAUSING DRIVER TO RUN A RED LIGHT, ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP05005 opened Sep 2005 | closed Jan 2006 | Engine And Engine Cooling | 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... |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09V399000 | Vehicle Speed Control | FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY... | Normally free |
| 08V051000 | 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,... | Normally free |
| 07V336000 | Vehicle Speed Control | ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN. | Normally free |
| 01V114000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN VANS WITH AMBULANCE PREP PACKAGES OR OTHER SEVERE-DUTY APPLICATIONS INVOLVING OPERATION AT OR NEAR THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT WITH FREQUENT TWISTING OF THE VEHICLE BODY, SUCH AS OFF-ROAD,... | Normally free |
| 99V046000 | 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. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009292 2009-10-14 | Other | 492,877 | On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The condition may occur either when the vehicle is parked or when it is in operation. |
| 2008038 2008-02-06 | Electrical | 8,869 | On certain vehicles, a wiring harness that is not compatible with the vehicle circuit polarity may have been inadvertently installed during servicing for recall 2005028 or 2007258. |
| 2007258 2007-08-07 | Electrical | 165,447 | On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The failure mode appears to be different than that of Recall 2005028 (05S28). |
| 2001078 2001-04-05 | Fuel System | 7,191 | On certain vehicles equipped with ambulance prep package and a 132.5L mid-ship fuel tank, when operating in severe service conditions (at or near Gross Vehicle Weight Rating with frequent body twist events that may occur during off road,... |
| 1999044 1999-03-17 | Structure | 157 | Certain vehicles equipped with the "60/40" hinged side cargo doors do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 206 - Door Latches. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05248 Jan 2005 | Suspension | VIBRATION/HARSHNESS ABOVE 45 MPH (72 KM/H) AFTER TIRE BALANCE. *TT | |
| 17520 Jan 2004 | Suspension | CLUNK FROM FRONT SUSPENSION. *TT | |
| 17381 Nov 2003 | Service Brakes | FRONT BRAKE PAD WEAR. *TT | |
| 15799 Apr 2002 | Power Train | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4R70W TRANSMISSION (DRIVESHAFT >70 INCH) MAY EXHIBIT A VIBRATION / ROUGHNESS ON ACCELERATION OR UNDER LOAD AT ABOUT 50-55 MPH. *TT | |
| 15517 Jan 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SUBJECT REGARDING EXAGGERATED ENGINE BRAKING ON DECELERATION. *YD |
Show 14 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15354 Oct 2001 | Service Brakes | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT ACCELERATED FRONT DISC BRAKE PAD WEAR UNDER EXTREME LOADING CONDITIONS. *TT | |
| 15038 Jul 2001 | Service Brakes | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT RAPID WEAR OF THE FRONT BRAKE PADS (UNDER 10,000 MILES). *TT | |
| 01122 Jun 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ON SOME VEHICLES THERE MAY BE AN OIL LEAK FROM THE RIGHT HAND HEAD GASKET AT THE REAR OF THE BLOCK / HEAD JOINT. *TT | |
| 14992 Jun 2001 | Power Train | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4R70W TRANSMISSION (DRIVESHAFT >70 INCH) MAY EXHIBIT A DRIVELINE VIBRATION / ROUGHNESS ON ACCELERATION OR UNDER LOAD AT ABOUT 50 - 55 MPH. *TT | |
| 0084 Apr 2000 | Suspension | CONCERNS WITH A CHATTERING NOISE FROM THE REAR AXLE HEARD WHEN TURNING OR CORNERNING. **MR | |
| 996766 Dec 1999 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L EXHIBITING A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT (MIL) 'ON' AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P1406 WHICH MAY BE CUASED BY THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CALIBRATION. *TT | |
| 99234 Nov 1999 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION ON DIAGNOSING A VEHICLE WITH MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0442 AND P0455 STORED IN CONTINUOUS MEMORY. *TT | |
| 6996 Sep 1999 | Engine And Engine Cooling | INFORMATION REGARDING A CHANGE IN THE TORQUE VALUES OF THE ENGINE FRONT COVER WATER PUMP BOLTS. *TT | |
| 13186 Sep 1999 | Engine And Engine Cooling | INFORMATION REGARDING FRONT COVER & WATER PUMP BOLTS-TORQUE VALVE REVISION/3.8-4.2L. *MJS | |
| 991611 Aug 1999 | Unknown Or Other | THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) MAY ILLUMINATE WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P1406 STORED IN MEMORY. *TT | |
| 13045 Aug 1999 | Unknown Or Other | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1406. *TT | |
| 6383 Jul 1999 | Power Train | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L AND 4R70W TRANSMISION MAY EXHIBIT A FLUID LEAK AT THE EXTENSION HOUSING AREA. *TT | |
| 6383 Jun 1999 | Power Train | SUBJECT REGARDING TRANSMISSION EXHIBITING A FLUID LEAK AT THE EXTENSION HOUSING AREA. *TT | |
| 071110 | Service Brakes | BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM MAY EXHIBIT A BRAKE PEDAL KICKBACK AND/OR GRABBING CONDITION WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. *NJ |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Smell for fuel and watch the first restart when hot.Hard starting when warm, hesitation under load, or any fuel odor near the tank or engine bay match this vehicle's fuel-system cluster. Check the recall table for fuel pump campaigns.
- Drive one straight highway stretch and one slow parking lot.Wander or a shimmy over bumps at speed, and heavy or dropped assist at low speed, are the two faces of this vehicle's steering cluster. A clunk on turn-in points at the linkage.
- Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 5 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Ford E-150 →