1998 Ford ECONOLINE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10013725 · 2003-03-31 (March 31, 2003)
INTAKE VALVE GASKET FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO ENTER CYLINDER AND BEND PUSH ROD. MOTOR HAS ONLY 45,000 MILES ON IT. VAN HAD BEEN DRIVEN UNDER 500 MILES IN LAST SIX MONTHS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013725 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019822 · 2003-05-14 (May 14, 2003)
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN AND IT FELT AS THOUGH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. THE MECHANIC PUT THE CAR ON THE LIFT, AND DISCOVERED THE RIM WAS BROKEN AND THE TIRE FELL OFF. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 69,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019822 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024670 · 2003-07-18 (July 18, 2003)
THE CONSUMER STATED THE SPARK PLUG "BLEW" OUT IN THE MOTOR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION, WHICH CAUSED FUEL TO BE DUMPED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE IS A 1998, FORD, E150, ECONOLINE VAN.*AK *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 135,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024670 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030619 · 2003-08-02 (August 2, 2003)
1998 FORD ECONOLINE E-350 VAN. 5.4 L GAS MOTOR. SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF MOTOR. EHICLE HAS 152,000 MILES. REF CASE ODI ID NUMBER 10024670. REASON FOR MAKING COMPLAINT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 152,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030619 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 10157911 · 2006-05-20 (May 20, 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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10157911 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10207620 · 2007-11-01 (November 1, 2007)
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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10207620 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V284000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
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.
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 ↗