The 1998 Ford Econoline has 4 safety recalls and 46 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (10 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints46filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 09E025000 · May 11, 2009 · 42,540 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009 · 16,270 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
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.
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL CNG PICKUP TRUCKS AND BI-FUEL CNG VANS, MODIFIED BY CFI CONTROL SYSTEMS, INC., FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 303, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY OF COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS VEHICLES." THE LABEL AFFIXED TO THE FUEL FILLER DOOR BY THE VEHICLE MODIFIER CONTAINS THE INSPECTION DATE AND EXPIRATION DATE OF THE CNG TANK. HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT CONTAIN THE STATEMENT "SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FUEL CONTAINER FOR INSPECTION AND SERVICE LIFE."
Risk: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED A LABEL WITH THE REQUIRED STATEMENT, ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR AFFIXING THE LABEL AT THE FUEL FILLER DOOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 2, 2000. 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.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Pads
10
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control Cruise control
8
0
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
7
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap; Storage › Tank assembly
5
0
0
0
—
Tires Tread/belt
5
0
0
0
—
Suspension Front
4
0
0
0
—
Structure Body; Body › Roof and pillars
3
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Horn
3
0
1
0
—
Visibility Defroster/defogger/hvac system; Power window devices and controls
3
0
0
0
—
Air bags Frontal › Sensor/control module
2
0
0
0
—
Equipment Electrical; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.
2
0
0
0
—
Exterior lighting Turn signal › Switch; Headlights
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
Jul 8, 2020Structure › Body VAN IS LEAKING FUEL FROM A CRACK WHERE IT CONTACTS THE FRAME MEMBER. THIS VAN WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL BEGINNING APRIL 19, 2001. I DID NOT OWN THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME, BUT APPARENTLY VEHICLE WAS NOT LEAKING SO IT WAS NOT FIXED. I DO NOT HAVE THE RECALL NUMBER. I OBTAINED THIS INFORMATION FROM A VIN LOOK UP AT HTTPS://DRIVING-TESTS.ORG/VIN-DECODER/ VEHICLE ONLY LEAKS FUEL WHEN FILLING UP AT THE GAS STATION. ONCE I STOP FILLING UP, THE LEAKING WILL DRIP, DRIP, DRIP UNTIL IT STOPS AND I CAN DRIVE OFF. NEXT TIME I WILL TAKE A PICTURE OF LEAKING.
Jun 7, 2015 · 31,000 milesWheels WAS TRAVELING ON RT 80 NEAR EXIT 123 IN PENNSYLVANIA ON STRAIGHT ROAD, AT 65 MPH, TEMPERATURE OF 75 DEGREES, DRY, SUNNY DAY. WE HEARD A LOUD BOOM. THE INSIDE REAR TIRE (DRIVER SIDE) HAD BLOWN. IT APPEARED THAT THE SIDEWALL (FACING OUT) HAD FAILED. THE SIDEWALL SEPARATED ALONG A STRAIGHT LINE FROM THE WHEEL TO THE TREAD. ALSO, IN THAT AREA ABOUT 10 INCHES OF TREAD WAS STARTING TO SEPARATE ON THAT SIDE OF THE TIRE - THE TREAD SEPARATION WAS 'CENTERED' ON THAT SIDEWALL FAILURE. FORTUNATELY WE EXPERIENCED NO OTHER DAMAGE.
Nov 1, 2010 · 79,000 milesFuel system, gasoline TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ECONOLINE E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK FRACTURED AND WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF UPDATED 2/9/2012
Oct 31, 2006 · 240,000 miles · fireElectrical system TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT WAS REPLACING THE AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER MOTOR WHEN HE NOTICED THE SPEED SELECTOR SWITCH WAS MELTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 302,302.
Jan 1, 1901Vehicle speed control 1998 FORD ECONOLINE RECALL ON SPEED CONTROL. CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AND DID NOT WANT HIM TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS RESOLVED. HE STATES THAT NO ONE ANSWERED THE 800 NUMBER ON THE RECALL NOTICE. *KB
Jan 1, 1901Vehicle speed control FORD E150 WITH CRUISE CONTROL RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER STATED IN SEPTEMBER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN JANUARY. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. *KB
Feb 13, 2008Vehicle speed control › Cruise control TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V051000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL) IN FEBRUARY OF 2008. THE PARTS ARE STILL UNAVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 43,000. UPDATED 4/11/08 *CN
Jan 1, 1901Vehicle speed control › Cruise control 1998 FORD ECONOLINE RECALL ON SPEED CONTROL. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER TOLD THEM THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. HE WAS INFORMED THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE SECOND QUARTER OF THE YEAR. *KB
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…