The 1998 Ford E-150 has 5 safety recalls and 60 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (16 complaints).
Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints60filed by owners
Crashes · fires4 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Vehicle speed control
NHTSA recall 09V399000 · Oct 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Fix: 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.
Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
NHTSA recall 08V051000 · Feb 4, 2008 · 225,000 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Vehicle speed control
NHTSA recall 07V336000 · Aug 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
NHTSA recall 04V562000 · Nov 26, 2004 · 1,660 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN VANS WITH AMBULANCE PREP PACKAGES OR OTHER SEVERE-DUTY APPLICATIONS INVOLVING OPERATION AT OR NEAR THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT WITH FREQUENT TWISTING OF THE VEHICLE BODY, SUCH AS OFF-ROAD, ROUGH ROAD OR SPEED BUMP EVENTS, THE 35 GALLON MID-SHIP FUEL TANK COULD DEVELOP A CRACK WHERE IT CONTACTS THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER. IF THE FUEL TANK CRACKS, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND, IF CRACKED, WILL REPLACE THE TANK. INSULATOR PADS WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES TO REDUCE THE STRESS LEVELS IN THE FUEL TANK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
E150 Econoline 2WD
15mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 18 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel
E150 Econoline 2WD
15mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 18 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel
E150 Club Wagon
14mpg combined
City / highway
12 / 17 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel
E150 Club Wagon
14mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 17 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel
E150 Econoline 2WD
13mpg combined
City / highway
12 / 16 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel
E150 Club Wagon
13mpg combined
City / highway
11 / 16 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline
16
0
1
0
96,550 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc
Structure Body › Door › Hinge and attachments; Body
2
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jan 16, 2017 · 150,000 milesFuel/propulsion system TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD E-150. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK WITH FUEL, THE FUEL LEAKED OUT. THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MIDSHIP FUEL TANK DEVELOPED A CRACK WHERE IT CONTACTED THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V114000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Feb 2, 2015 · 84,000 miles · crash · 1 injuryEquipment adaptive/mobility TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 FORD E-150 EQUIPPED WITH A CCI AIRTOUCH PNEUMATIC GAS/BRAKE. THE MODEL WAS UNKNOWN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT CAUSE OR WARNING. THE FAILURE CAUSED A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, TREES, AND A STREET LAMP. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Jul 4, 2014 · 152,000 milesWheels LEFT FRONT TIRE (MICHELIN P235/75R15 LTX M/S2) SEPARATION AT 25 MPH. ALSO, NOTICEABLE STRESS CRACKS ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. TIRES BOUGHT 01/2010; WITH 7/32 TREAD REMAINING. REFERENCE 13T012000. *JS
Nov 5, 2012 · 80,750 milesFuel/propulsion system TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, FUEL SPEWED OUT OF THE FILLER NECK AND ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,750.
Sep 9, 2011 · 250,000 milesFuel system, gasoline TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK AND STRAPS WERE THE SAME AS THE ONES UTILIZED ON THE 1998-2003 FORD F-150, IN WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.
Aug 28, 2009 · 200,000 miles · crash · 1 injurySeat belts TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD E-150. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN THE CONTACT WAS REAR ENDED BY A VEHICLE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE SCENE WITH DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER AND FRAME. THE CONTACT SUFFERED NECK PAIN AND WAS SEEN BY A DOCTOR AT THE HOSPITAL. A CAT SCAN WAS PERFORMED BUT THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSIS. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO SUFFER FROM NECK PAIN. THE DOCTOR PERFORMED AN MRI AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN NECK CAUSED BY TRAUMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE INJURY MAY HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO THE SEAT BELT LAYING ON THE NECK DURING THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS…
May 14, 2011 · 143,786 milesFuel system, gasoline 98 FORD E-150 / SAFETY RECALL-01S14 I CONTACTED CHALMERS FORD DEALER ([XXX]) SANTA FE,NM 473-3673 / FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE([XXX]) 1-800-392-3673 MY VEHICLE EXHIBITS EXACTLY THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS RECALL AND WAS TOLD I WAS NOT ON THE LIST AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE-I DISCOVERED THE LEAK WHEN I WAS PUMPING GAS INTO THE GAS TANK AND A HUGE PUDDLE OF GAS WAS OBSERVED DRIPPING FROM VAN BY AN OBSERVANT CUSTOMER-I STOPPED PUMPING GAS IMMEDIATELY AND RETURNED HOME-UPON MY RETURN I INSPECTED EDGE OF TANK AND ALL THE HOSES AND SAW THAT GAS HAD FORMED A RING WHERE THE FUEL HAD LEAKED OUT-DID NOT SEE LEAK FROM HOSES BUT THEY WERE DETERIORATED-LEAK WAS FROM UPPER TANK AREA AND FLOWED DOWNWARD-IF THIS IS NOT…
Jan 20, 2001 · 59,000 milesStructure › Body 06-03-2007 RIGHT DOOR HANDLE (OUTSIDE PART) BROKE AND I COULD NOT GET INTO MY VAN. NO ABUSE ON MY PART. I HAD THE DOOR HANDLE REPLACED BY FORD DEALERSHIP AT MY EXPENSE ($125.00). 03-03-2008 LEFT DOOR HANDLE (OUTSIDE PART) BROKE WHEN I PULLED THE HANDLE. I NOW HAVE TO GET INTO MY VAN BY THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND CRAWL OVER TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. THIS IS AWFUL SINCE I HAD ADVANCED COPD BREATHING PROBLEMS. I HAD TO ORDER THE PART TODAY, AND HOPE FOR THE BEST TO GET IT INSTALLED, AGAIN AT MY EXPENSE. THE HANDLES SHOULD NOT BROKE ON A 1998 VEHICLE SO SOON. I HAVE READ ALL COMPLAINTS FOR 1998 FORD E150 VANS, I HAVE A SHERROD CONVERSION VAN. 04-10-2009 BACK A/C & HEAT DOES NOT BLOW COLD OR HEAT FROM…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
DP05005 · opened Sep 22, 2005 · closed Jan 4, 2006SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY…