VehicleVerdict

1996 Ford E-150 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 81 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.8 times the median E-150 year — the 1996 model ranks #7 of 43 E-150 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 102 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (16), engine (12), and electrical system (11), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

81

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

102

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other E-150 years?

E-150 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted180 complaints1976: 3 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 3 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 3 complaints1985: 3 complaints1986: 12 complaints1987: 20 complaints1988: 15 complaints1989: 37 complaints1990: 17 complaints1991: 20 complaints1992: 86 complaints1993: 95 complaints1994: 180 complaints1995: 104 complaints1996: 81 complaints1997: 122 complaints1998: 81 complaints1999: 115 complaints2000: 61 complaints2001: 52 complaints2002: 37 complaints2003: 31 complaints2004: 36 complaints2005: 24 complaints2006: 23 complaints2007: 15 complaints2008: 12 complaints2009: 10 complaints2010: 14 complaints2011: 30 complaints2012: 19 complaints2013: 29 complaints2014: 9 complaints2015: 10 complaints2016: 11 complaints2017: 0 complaints2021: 1 complaints2023: 0 complaints
E-150 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all E-150 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 Ford E-150 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1620%
Engine1215%
Electrical System1114%
Fuel System79%
Speed Control67%
Tires & Wheels56%
Suspension56%
Body & Structure45%
Steering45%
Transmission22%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)22%
Seat Belts22%
Airbags22%
Other11%
Latches & Locks11%
Seats11%

Does the 1996 Ford E-150 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V399000Speed ControlOctober 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

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 MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

08V051000Speed ControlFebruary 4, 2008 · 225,000 units

Defect

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 WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.

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.

06V286000Speed ControlAugust 1, 2006 · 1,200,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence

OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“FRONT PADS WERE REPLACED EVERY 19,000 MILES, AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED ON TWO OCCASIONS. BUT, REAR BRAKES STILL APPEARED LIKE NEW; ALSO, EXPERIENCED FRONT WHEEL LOCKUP. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS PROBLEM OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 1, 1999 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD E-150. WHENEVER THE CONTACT STARTS THE ENGINE AND DEPRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE ENGINE BECOMES STUCK AT A HIGH RPM AND WILL NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO EITHER SURGE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS DEPENDING ON WHAT GEAR IT IS IN AT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 2, 2009 · crash

“FIRST INCIDENT: DEALER REPLACED ANTI-THIEF MODULE AND 2 FUSES #8 & #? ON 9-11-97 IN THE NEXT YEAR I REPLACED THE NUMBER 8 FUSE AT LEAST 3 TIMES THINKING THE PROBLEM WASN'T SEVERE. IN JUNE 1999 THE WIRING DID BURN UNDER DASH. UNFORTUNATE FOR ME I NEVER COMPLAINED ABOUT THEIR WORKMANSHIP OF THE FIRST…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 15, 1997 · fire

“GAS FILLER TUBE LEAKS GAS WHEN FILLING TANK. THIS FIRST OCCURRED WHEN FILLING UP TANK LAST YEAR AND RESULTED IN POURING OF GASOLINE ONTO THE PAVEMENT BENEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FLOW STOPPED ONLY WHEN THE FUEL REACHED THE LEVEL OF THE APPARENT HOLE. I MENTI. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 1, 2000

“DT: THE CALLER SAID THAT WHILE AT WORK HIS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT WAS SITTING FOR 2 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES. VEHICLE WAS SITTING ACROSS THE STREET FROM WHERE THE CALLER WORKED, AND THE NEIGHBORS SAW THE FIRE AND HELPED PUT IT OUT ALONG WITH A PASSING POLICE OFFICER. FIRE WAS CAUGHT IN TIME, AND NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 10, 2005 · fire

1996 Ford E-150 — common questions

Is the 1996 Ford E-150 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 81 complaints put the 1996 model at #7 of 43 E-150 years. It is one of the E-150 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1996 E-150 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (16 complaints), engine (12 complaints), electrical system (11 complaints).

Does the 1996 Ford E-150 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 Ford E-150. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1996 Ford E-150 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford E-150 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-150 years to avoid are 1994, 1997, 1999, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1998, 1996, 2000, 2001, 1989, 2002, 2004, 2003, 2011. The cleanest record among E-150 years belongs to 2023.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.