1998 Ford E-150: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 60 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (22% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2017
“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.”Owner report · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · Feb 2015
“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”Owner report · Wheels · Jul 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2012
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford e150. The contact received a safety recall notice in february of 2008 for the vehicle speed control. The dealer was called three times and they stated that the part would be available the following month. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 140,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2008
“98 ford e150, 4.2l,82k miles, engine started knocking. Took to ford dealer. They said needs new engine. Cost $4749. I find out this engine has been failing prematurely and ford knows about it. They supposedly sent out a recall to replace gasket. I never received notice. I think I should get partial reimbursement. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2007
“1998 (manufactured 1997) ford 4.2 liter engine blew main head gasket - engine froze up. Replaced with remanufactured engine - combustion too high - pings - ford refuses to install another engine. Carbon build up - valves, rings, crankshaft, egr and catalytic converter will all be damaged if not corrected. Dealer had tried on 5 occasions - ford continues to deny approval for another engine. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford e-150. The contact stated that the vehicle is difficult to start in cold weather. Once the vehicle started, it would hesitate and produce a tapping noise. He had to replace the coolant frequently. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle. The current mileage is 102,797 and failure mileage was 101,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2006
“Driving down the highway I heard a popping sound, the truck stalled and the check engine light came on. The truck continued to stall. I called clark ford after hearing about a spark plug problem with ford trucks and they claimed to know nothing about it. I took my truck to my mechanic and the motor had to be replaced, this resulted in also a radiator split.*jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact E-150 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Ford E-150 reliable?
NHTSA has 60 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Ford E-150. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Ford E-150 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 92,917 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Ford E-150 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.