1998 Ford Club Wagon: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 28 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling; the 1996 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
28
owner complaints
0
fire reports
-
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No fire reportsNo recall campaigns
Common problems
Computed from 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Limited data: only 28 complaints on record for this model year - too few for percentage statistics. Bars show raw report counts; read them as individual owner reports, not reliability rates. For a fuller picture, check nearby model years.
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)7 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)5 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)3 complaints
Suspension (shocks, springs, ride quality)3 complaints
Seats2 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)2 complaints
“I became one more victim of an unacceptable design flaw foisted upon the motoring public by the once proud ford motor company. #3 spark plug took an unapproved leave of absence and has grounded my e-350 van for the past 2 months. I am weighing my options; should I attempt an expensive repair only to have it fail in the near future or should I return it to the showroom of my closest ford dealer after hours? So much for the engineering that led to wins at le mans in the 1960's. There was no vehicle fire associated with this mishap; however, I have seen pictures of fires due to this problem suffered by others. I am one among thousands of ford truck owners dealing with this situation. *tr”Owner report · Engine · May 2012
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving 75 mph, the cruise control became stuck in the on position, raising the speed of the vehicle to over 90 mph. The vehicle was shifted into neutral and coasted to a rest area. A private repair shop was consulted, who disconnected the speed control cable at the throttle body, which closed the throttle. The vehicle was then taken to a service dealer, where the dealer was unable to determine the problem. Updated 10/17/2006 - *nm”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2006
“All four wheel rims were bent, which caused the consumer to purchase new tires. Dealer notified. *ak all 5 rims were bent. But no flats. The consumer bought a new rim two and a half years ago and in may bought four new michelin tires 245/75/16 mls. At ntb who showed the consumer the bent rims. The vehicle continued to vibrate. The consumer thought the new tires would solve the vibration problem, but it didn't. The vehicle also needed a new transmission. *scc *jb”Owner report · Wheels · Jun 2003
Show 7 more owner reports
“Consumer leaned back on his driver seat to hand son some water and seat collapsed, and will not return back to normal position. *ak”Owner report · Seats · Jun 2001
“Engine blewout without any prior warning. As consumer was driving/turning vehicle shutdown. Dashboard did not show any warning lights, and vehicle was well maintained. Mechanic has advised consumer that this was a "common problem". Dealer has advised that engine just shutdown, and will need to be replaced at consumer's expense.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2001
“Aluminum head failure, spark plugs blew out of head at 60 mph--mild explosion, engine shutdown at speed--could have been a fatal rear end accident if it had happened during normal day hours, but it was at 3 am---failure still not fixed after 2 full weeks, dealer is family ford, carlisle pa.---they state that this is a known failure, and they have done several.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2001
“Total brake failure occurred with no warning or indication (even the brake light did not illuminate). I was approaching an intersection with stopped vehicles slowly but could not get any brake response, causing a crash and then pushing until three other vehicles would be hit. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2000
“Driver's side front tire blewout. Tire dealer said tire failure was due to tread separation.*ak (dot number: vd1l 1xd tiresize: lt225-75r1)”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2000
“Front rotors warp for apparently no reasonable cause. Master mechanic suggests its due to mass of rotors not large enough to handle braking loads, or bad materials. Same with warped rear brake drums. This vehicle is now on its second set of rotors (6-21-2002), and they have been lathe turned to the limit of their width. Rotors have now warped again, but I'll continue to put up with the pulsation till it drives me crazy. I live in a rural area and braking is not a constant thing here. This van is used to transport my children and for errands, so the vehicle (ford e350 1 ton club wagon van) is not being worked hard.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2000
“Niece was belted sleeping. Ratchet mechanism engaged. Belt became twisted and when her tried to free herself, belt retracted trapping her in belt. Buckle would not release. She was in pain. We had to cut belt to free her.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 1999
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
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Is the 1998 Ford Club Wagon reliable?
NHTSA has 28 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Ford Club Wagon. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.