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Ford Van — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Ford Van model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
31
Years to Avoid
2006, 1994, 1976
Best Years
2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977
2006Avoid
0 complaints2 recalls
2005Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2004Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2003Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2002Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2001Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2000Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1999Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1998Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1997Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1996Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1995Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1994Avoid
15 complaints0 recalls
1993Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1992Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1991Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1990Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1989Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1988Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1987Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1986Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1985Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1984Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1983Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1982Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1981Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1980Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1979Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1978Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1977Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1976Avoid
1 complaints0 recalls1 invest.

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Ford Van Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2006, 1994, 1976 Ford Van are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Ford Van, consider the 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

31 model years analyzed