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2016 Ford Econoline
Limited data: few reports on file, read the verdict loosely
Too few owner complaints are on file to affirm this car. Treat it as unproven, not endorsed, and lean hard on a professional pre-purchase inspection.
3 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 21, 2026 · source: NHTSA
What the record shows so far
Only 3 owner complaints on file for this exact model year, too few to judge long-term reliability. Treat this as unproven, not endorsed, and lean on a professional inspection.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA hasn’t published a crash-test rating for this model year. That’s common for lower-volume or older models. It doesn’t mean the car is unsafe, just that this program hasn’t tested it.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2016 Ford Econoline, plotted where owners report it happening.
Electrical system
33%1 complaints
“REAR TAIL LITES TAKE ON WATER AND BECOME INOP. *TR”
Suspension
33%1 complaints
“PLEASE SEE DETAILS OUTLINED IN ATTACHED JPG FILE. THIS IMPACTS, TIRES, SHOCK ABSORBER'S AND REAR AXLE WEIGHT CAPACITIES.*DT*JB”
Seat belts
33%1 complaints
“SEAT BELTS ARE TO LONG TO SAFELY SECURE A CHILD OR CHILD SEAT. BELTS CANNOT BE DRAWN UP TIGHT ENOUGH TO SECURE A BABY SEAT. NO CHILD RESTRAINT HOOKS EXIST IN THESE VEH…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Power Train · 19V432000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Ford Econoline vehicles equipped with a 5R110W transmission, 5.4L engine, and a school bus or ambulance preparation package. A weld within the coast clutch may fail, causing an unexpected loss of drive power.
Risk: A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. Transferring occupants of a disabled school bus or ambulance to another vehicle increases their risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the single-engaging coast one-way clutch with a new dual-engaging one-way clutch, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S20.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Ford before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2016 Ford Econoline. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2016 Ford ECONOLINE beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2016? See how every Econoline model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2016 Ford Econoline against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.