1998 Ford E-150: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
50 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
89,147 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 50 complaints (10.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 16.0% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 12.0% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 12.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 6.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 3 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 3; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump: 3; Tires: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 4
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 24 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 | 6 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2000: 6; 2001: 8; 2002: 7; 2003: 10; 2004: 2; 2005: 3; 2007: 4; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10008746 · 2003-02-19 (February 19, 2003)
THE ALUMINUM WHEEL CAUSED THE SEAL TO BREAK BETWEEN THE RIM AND TIRE WHICH RESULTED IN ALL FOUR TIRES LOSING AIR PRESSURE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 23,428 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008746 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014636 · 2003-03-28 (March 28, 2003)
THE FUEL TANK HAD STRESS CRACKS CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK. *JB *TS
Owner-reported narrative. 92,917 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014636 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025248 · 2003-07-01 (July 1, 2003)
LOST 2 CYLINDERS ON 4.6L, 0 COMPRESSION WET OR DRY. NO OVERHEAT ISSUES. MECHANIC DIDNT LOOK FOR LEAKY HEAD GASKET, WHICH MUST HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE. MECHANIC SAID DRIVE HOME, I DROVE HOME MORE DAMAGE INSUED. ENGINE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. EXTENDED WARRANTY. *AK PURCHASED AT TIME OF PURCHASE REJECTED COVERAGE. FORD NO HELP, DEALER NO HELP. IM OUT $6,200
Owner-reported narrative. 73,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025873 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
MY 1998 FORD E-150 VAN HAS DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES GOING FROM THE TRAN TO THE RADIATOR. THESE LINES WERE PLACED AGAINST THE OIL PAN AND THE CHASSIS OF THE VEHICLE WHEN MANUFACTURED. THE FRICTION OVER THE YEARS HAS CAUSED THESE LINES TO DEVELOPE A LEAK. THE WARRENTY THAT I BROUGHT FROM THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE THESE LINES, AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY THEMSELF HAVE SHOWN NO REAL INTEREST IN FIXING THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT THE DESIGN SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN SEARCH A WAY AS TO NOT HAVE ANY TYPE OF PRESURE RUBBING A…
Owner-reported narrative. 85,376 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025873 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026801 · 2003-08-15 (August 15, 2003)
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT GAS TANK WAS INSTALLED WITHOUT ANY INSULATION BETWEEN THE GAS TANK AND FRAME, SO METAL WAS RUBBING METAL WHICH CAUSED A FUEL LEAK. *AK CONSUMER'S BIG PROBLEM WAS THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DIDN'T NOTIFY HIM OR OTHERS LIKE HIM. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026801 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034184 · 2003-08-19 (August 19, 2003)
MANUFACTURER INSTALLED A STEEL GAUGE INSIDE OF DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FOR BETTER RECLINING POSITION, AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING SEAT COLLAPSED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10034184 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044915 · 2003-12-02 (December 2, 2003)
WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN, THE CONSUMER HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD, ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC. AFTER TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE SENSORS. SINCE THEN, THE SENSORS WERE REPLACED. *AK *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044915 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046224 · 2003-11-03 (November 3, 2003)
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A FUEL LEAKAGE. CONSUMER DOESN'T FILL IT UP COMPLETELY, ONLY TO THE 3/4 MARK. 2003 MAKES AND MODELS ARE CURRENTLY ON RECALL; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046224 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V114000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 2001-04-05 (April 5, 2001)
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.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 2007-08-03 (August 3, 2007)
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.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗08V051000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
Reported: 2008-02-04 (February 4, 2008)
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 2009-10-13 (October 13, 2009)
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.
Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗