1998 Ford Econoline: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 46 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (15% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2020
“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.”Owner report · Wheels · Jun 2015
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford econoline. The contact received two safety recall notices for the vehicle speed control on august 29, 2007 and october 9, 2007. On november 1, 2007, he called the dealer for the third time and was either hung up on or disconnected. The contact was informed by a service technician that he could continue driving the vehicle because if it were going to catch fire, it would have by now. The purchase date was unknown. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 45,495.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford econoline. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control). The contact scheduled a recall repair appointment to have the speed control disconnected. He is dissatisfied with the amount of time it will take to receive the parts and have the cruise control replaced. There had been no failure to date. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 110,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford econoline. The contact received a safety recall notice for the vehicle speed control in august of 2007. The speed control switch was disconnected at that time. Since receiving the notice, she has spoken with the dealer twice and the part is still unavailable. Complaint number 1400372637 was filed with the manufacturer. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 102,000. Updated 03/11/08. *lj”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2007
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2006
“Driving north on I 275 just south of I 94 and tire separated on right rear called aaa because rim was on the ground. Vehicle was a ford conversion van. Replaced with spare, and still have old tire. Tire size is 30x9.50r 15 discoverer ast. 8jb”Owner report · Tires · May 2006
“The consumer experienced a gas leak coming from the top of the fuel tank. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the leak was the result of a rusted hole in the top of the fuel tank. Provide further details. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2004
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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."
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Econoline 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 Econoline reliable?
NHTSA has 46 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Ford Econoline. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Econoline problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 79,500 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Ford Econoline have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:labels. 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.