FordEconoline1991Overview/ford/econoline/1991/base/

1991 Ford Econoline

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 Econoline.

The 1991 Ford Econoline is a full-size van from Ford's long-running Econoline line, with routine service defined by a 6.0-quart oil capacity and 5W-30 API viscosity. In owner-reported reliability data spanning 1990 through 2026, the 1991 model accumulated 26 complaints and three recalls, with the fuel system, gasoline category drawing the most reports. That complaint count sits well below the model-line peak of 385 complaints logged for 1994 and above the low of a single complaint recorded for 2010, placing the 1991 Econoline in the lower-complaint tier of early-model years and suggesting it is not a standout problem year within the documented history.

Model year199519941993199219911990198919881986

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length206.7 in
Overall width79.9 in
Overall height79.9 in
Wheelbase138.2 in
Curb weight4142 lb

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity6.5 Pints (rear)
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityFront A/C only, 3.25; front and rear A/C, 4.00. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type68
Oil CapacityFront A/C only, 9.00; front and rear A/C, 10.00. oz

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 miDiesel Fuel Injection Pump (inspect) · Throttle Plate (inspect) · Throttle Return Spring (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 5,000 miClutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Release Lever Pivot Points (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter Water Separator (inspect)
At 7,500 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Diesel Fuel Injection Pump (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Throttle Plate (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAir Intake System (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAir Injection System (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Idle Air Bypass Solenoid (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Throttle Body (inspect)
Every 100,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 1990 the Econoline recorded 35 complaints and 4 recalls, while 1991 shows a decline to 26 complaints and 3 recalls, with investigations rising to 2 and TSBs increasing slightly to 45. The following year, 1992, complaints jump to 270 and recalls to 8, initiating a pronounced upward trend that continues through the mid‑1990s before fluctuating. Thus, 1991 sits at a low‑point in the complaint/recall arc, preceding a sharp increase in reported issues. The top complaint areas for 1991 were Fuel System, Gasoline (7), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (5), Engine & Engine Cooling (5), and Wheels (3), accompanied by one crash‑related and one fire‑related complaint. Given its comparatively low complaint and recall counts relative to the surrounding years, the 1991 Econoline appears to be a relatively favorable year to consider for purchase, though the data do not specify root causes for the reported issues.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
45
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
26
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 26 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline7
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Engine & Engine Cooling5
Wheels3
Tires2
Power Train2
Steering,Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Fuel System, Gasoline,Electrical System,Visibility,Seat Belts,Structure,Vehicle Speed Control,Tires,Seats,Interior Lighting1
Seats1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

93V073000Suspension:Rear:Shock AbsorberReported 27/04/1993

THE REAR SHOCK CROSSMEMBER OF THE FRAME CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME. Remedy: REPLACE THE REAR CHOCK CROSSMEMBER WITH A SHOCK CROSSMEMBER MADE OF HIGH STRENGTH STEEL.

91V172000Seat Belts:Front:AnchorageReported 04/05/1992

THE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE FOR THE REAR BENCH SEAT FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE STANDARDS OF FMVSS 210. Remedy: THE MANUFACTURE WILL REPLACE THE NON-COMPLYING SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE WITH A NEW ANCHORAGE THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 45 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
011562001-08-06VisibilitySOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
0023102000-11-13Power TrainSUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE…
981672000-04-07Power TrainTRANSMISSION-E40D-NO 2-3 UPSHIFT. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO 2-3 UPSHIFT CONDITION…
981682000-04-07Power TrainTRANSMISSION- E40D/4R100-1989-99-MAIN CONTROLS, SEPARATOR PLATES AND SEPARATOR PLATE…
00382000-02-07Power TrainVEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SOLID PARTICLE CONTAMINANTS FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
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Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

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Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1991 Econoline take?

6.0 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1991 Econoline have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.