VehicleVerdict

1982 Ford Econoline problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 1982 Ford Econoline — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

1

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1982 compare to other Econoline years?

Econoline NHTSA complaints by model year, 1982 highlighted164 complaints1967: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 1 complaints1980: 1 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 10 complaints1985: 15 complaints1986: 7 complaints1987: 19 complaints1988: 33 complaints1989: 41 complaints1990: 38 complaints1991: 37 complaints1992: 113 complaints1993: 71 complaints1994: 164 complaints1995: 98 complaints1996: 96 complaints1997: 100 complaints1998: 61 complaints1999: 102 complaints2000: 46 complaints2001: 31 complaints2002: 25 complaints2003: 27 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 0 complaints2009: 1 complaints2010: 1 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 2 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 3 complaints2017: 7 complaints2018: 0 complaints2019: 1 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Econoline NHTSA complaints by model year, 1982 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Econoline years to avoid →

What are the most common 1982 Ford Econoline problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts1100%

Does the 1982 Ford Econoline have recalls?

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

07E064000Fuel SystemAugust 27, 2007 · 34,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy

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.

82V004000TransmissionJanuary 13, 1982 · 378 units

Defect

ON SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE SHIFT ROD IN THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEATED IN THE RETENTION GROMMET OF THE STEERING COLUMN SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLY. IF THE SHIFT ROD WERE TO DISENGAGE, THE DRIVER COULD NOT SELECT THE PROPER TRANSMISSION FUNCTION WHICH WOULD CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT THE SHIFT ROD ATTACHMENT AND MAKE SURE IT IS PROPERLY SEATED AT NO COST TO OWNER.

81V105000Fuel SystemSeptember 9, 1981 · 115 units

Defect

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY". IN A MOVING BARRIER IMPACT TEST FROM THE REAR AT 30 MPH, THE FASTENER ATTACHING THE FUEL SENDER GROUND WIRE TO THE FRAME CROSSMEMBER, AFT OF THE FUEL TANK, PIERCED THE FUEL TANK.

Remedy

THE FUEL SENDER GROUND WIRE ATTACHMENT ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE RELOCATED TO ELIMINATE THE DANGER, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

1982 Ford Econoline — common questions

Is the 1982 Ford Econoline reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1982 Ford Econoline have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1982 Ford Econoline. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Econoline years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Econoline years to avoid are 1994, 1992, 1999, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1993, 1998, 2000, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1988, 2001. The cleanest record among Econoline years belongs to 2026.

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.