1998 Ford E-350: complaints, problems and recalls

1998 FORD E350 VAN 5.4L V8 BLEW A SPARK PLUG WHEN STARTING ENGINE. SPARK PLUGS WAS CHANGED BY FORD DEALER AT 90,000 MILES PLUG BLEW WITH 122,000 MILES. FORD DEALER REMOVED HEAD, INSTALLED SPARK PLUG INSERT AND CHARGED ME $1700.00 . I BELIEVE SPARK PLUGS SHOULD NEVER BLOW OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD WHEN INSTALLED BY A FORD TRAINED MECHANIC. THE SPARK PLUG FORD USES HAS ONLY 6 THREADS ON IT. THAT IS NOT ENOUGH THREADS FOR A ALUMINUM HEAD. THIS IS A ENGINE DESIGN ERROR.TS

Owner-reported narrative. 122,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000330 at NHTSA ↗

HELLO, I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE 15 PASSENGER VANS. HAS ANY ONE CONSIDERED THE ADDITION OF DUAL REAL TIRES ON THESE VEHICLES? IT HAS BEEN NOTED THAT THE LARGER MINI BUSES ARE SAFER, AND I NOTICED THAT THEY ALL HAVE DUAL REAR TIRES. AND THE E-350 VAN I KNOW IS BUILT ON THE SUPER DUTY FORD 250/350 CHASSIS WHICH CAN BE ORDERED WITH DUAL REAR TIRES? WOULDN'T THESE MAKE THE CHANCE OF ROLLOVERS LESS? THANKS TOM. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018697 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN THE CONSUMER FILLED THE GAS TANK, HE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GAS, WHEN THE CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED FUEL DRIPPING OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK*AK . THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE TANK WAS FULL IT LEAKED VERY BAD AND ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. AS THE FUEL IN THE TANK BECAME LOW THE LEAK SLOWED DOWN, THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF A RECALL, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE VEHICLE. PH *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022935 at NHTSA ↗

BRAKE FAILURE RESULTED IN VEHICLE REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE.*MR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED A STOPPED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RENTED FROM UHAUL. A UHAUL TECHNICIAN CAME AND INSPECTD THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED IN FOR REPAIRS ( OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10052212 at NHTSA ↗

THE VEHICLE HAD A CRACKED FUEL TANK. CURRENTLY, THE MANUFACTURER IS CONDUCTING A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. HOWEVER, BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE CONSUMER, THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE IN THE RECALL ALTHOUGH IT HAS ALL THE SYMPTOMS AS THOSE WHICH ARE INCLUDED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB RECALL CAMPAIGN; NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 01V114000. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED AT HER EXPENSE. *TC

Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096736 at NHTSA ↗

1998 FORD XLT E350 SPARK PLUGS BLEW OUT ON ENGINE.*MR UPON STARTING THE CAR IT MADE A HORRIBLE ROCKET. IT BLEW THE SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE HOOD. CONSUMER SENT A FEW INTERNET ARTICLES CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. FORD ENGINE-SPARK PLUG DEFECT. *BF

Owner-reported narrative. 116,460 miles reported. Look up ODI 10119229 at NHTSA ↗

ORIGINAL OWNER OF 1998 FORD E350 EXTENDED-LENGTH XLT. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE CAR HAD ABOUT 98,000 MILES. I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN DOING MORE THAN 15 MPH. I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THEN THE VAN STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. I PUT THE VAN IN NEUTRAL AND COASTED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I HAD THE VAN TOWED TO BUTTERFIELD FORD. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER, PLUG COIL BROKE IN HALF, CRACKED THE HEAD. FORD WOULD REPAIR THE VA…

Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10143517 at NHTSA ↗

I BELIEVE THE EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE IN MY MOTOR HOME STARTED WITH THE FIRST RECALL (SEPT. 2007)THAT SAID THAT A FUSE-ABLE LINK HAD TO BE INSTALLED IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO PREVENT A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. I COMPLIED. SHORTLY THERE AFTER MY ABS LIGHT STARTED BLINKING ON AND OFF IRREGULARLY. THEN AFTER A VERY FEW MILES IT STAYED ON ALL THE TIME THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED AND THEY SAID THAT THE ABS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL ISSUE . THAT MY BRAKES WOULD STILL WORK, THAT THE ABS JUST EF…

Owner-reported narrative. 25,760 miles reported. Look up ODI 10219988 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2000-09-21 (September 21, 2000)

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."

Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Reported: 2009-01-14 (January 14, 2009)

ONENESS MOBILITY IS RECALLING 19 MY 1998, AND 2005-2006 E-350 VANS BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.

Consequence: A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy: ONENESS MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR ONENESS MOBILITY AT 1-818-267-3000.

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.

Reported: 2014-04-16 (April 16, 2014)

Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply, Inc. (Cummings) is recalling various model year 1994-2011 Ford and Chevrolet vans equipped with Braun NCL-2, and NVL-2 wheel chair lifts manufactured November 20, 2006, through September 10, 2010. Over time, and with frequent use, the roll stop latches on the outer barrier of the lifts in these vans may become bent or misaligned.

Consequence: A wheelchair occupant may defeat or ride over the insufficiently latched roll stop. If this occurs when the lift platform is in an elevated position, the wheelchair's occupant could fall and sustain injury.

Remedy: Braun Corporation notified all the vehicle owners, and Cummings Mobility replaced the recalled parts with new parts, free of charge. The recall was completed as of April 10, 2014. Owners may contact Cummings customer service at 1-800-639-5438.