1998 Ford ECONOLINE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
79,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 36 complaints (11.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 11.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 11.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 2 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Tires: 3; Electrical System: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 28 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 8 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2000: 8; 2001: 6; 2002: 4; 2003: 4; 2004: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 5; 2011: 2; 2015: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 551634 · 2000-03-30 (March 30, 2000)
ROTORS SHOWING DEEP SCORING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUDDER/SHAKE UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 551634 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 723664 · 2000-06-06 (June 6, 2000)
VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE BRAKES, ROTORS. HAS HAD PULSATIONS IN BRAKING SYSTEM SINCE NEW. HAS HAD NEW BRAKES, ROTORS WITHOUT RESOLUTION OF PROBLEM. USING BRAKES EVERY 8-10,000 MILES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 723664 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10074195 · 2004-06-23 (June 23, 2004)
THE FUEL TANK CRACKED ON THE UPPER PORTION OF THE TANK IN THE AREA WHERE THE MIDDLE STRAP CROSSED THE TANK. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO., HOWEVER THERE WERE NO RECALLS, THEREFORE THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE WITH THE PURCHASE OF A NEW FUEL TANK. *JB *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10074195 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096822 · 2004-10-14 (October 14, 2004)
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-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096822 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 738125 · 2000-12-21 (December 21, 2000)
PURCHASED VEHICLE AS USED FROM PAUL CLARK FORD. FROM THE FIRST DAY, STEERING PROBLEMS. WHILE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRENTY, THE DEALER DID REPLACE STEERING GEAR BOX. WENT BACK TO DEALER, STATING I WAS STILL HAVING STEERING PROBLEMS. DELAER STATED, VEHICLE NO LONGER UNDER WARRENTY. TOOK VEHICLE TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP, REMOVED THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, SHAFT WAS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY. SHAFT HAS SLOT FOR BOLT TO FIT THRUOGH, THUS LOCKING SHAFT AND BOLT TOGETHER. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SHAFT(ROUNDED) WAS USED. IF THE SHAFT HAD LOSSENED, I WOULD H…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 738125 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8004653 · 2002-02-27 (February 27, 2002)
CONSTANT MISALIGNMENT CAUSES VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. STEERING WHEEL IS STILL EXTREMELY LOOSE WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN. DEALER STATES THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8004653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 894712 · 2001-08-20 (August 20, 2001)
WATER WOULD ENTER INSIDE OF TRUCK AND WOULD SHORT OUT ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS. WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 894712 at NHTSA ↗