VehicleVerdict

1998 Ford E-350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 70 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.5 times the median E-350 year — the 1998 model ranks #6 of 53 E-350 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across tires & wheels (14), brakes (12), and engine (11), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

70

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

4

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other E-350 years?

See all E-350 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Ford E-350 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels1420%
Brakes1217%
Engine1116%
Fuel System913%
Electrical System69%
Steering34%
Suspension34%
Speed Control34%
Body & Structure23%
Transmission23%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Lighting11%
Other11%
Seats11%
Airbags11%

Does the 1998 Ford E-350 have recalls?

8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V197000OtherApril 16, 2014 · 66 units

Defect

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.

09V399000Speed ControlOctober 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

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.

09V014000OtherJanuary 14, 2009 · 19 units

Defect

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.

08V051000Speed ControlFebruary 4, 2008 · 225,000 units

Defect

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.

07V336000Speed ControlAugust 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 units

Defect

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.

04V562000OtherNovember 26, 2004 · 1,660 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.

01V114000Fuel SystemApril 5, 2001 · 151,000 units

Defect

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.

00V284000OtherSeptember 21, 2000 · 4,500 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TIRE BLEW UP IN DRIVEWAY. THE TREAD LAYERS BLEW APART AND THE FORCE SPLIT THE SIDEWALLS ON BOTH SIDES. I DO NOT DARE DRIVE THE VAN UNTIL OTHER FIRESTONES ARE REPLACED. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING A YOUTH GROUP OR MY FAMILY ON THE FREEWAY (MY NORMAL USE OF THE VAN), IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. IT IS A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 29, 2001

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 11, 2003 · crash

WHILE DRIVING HAD HEARD A NOISE UNDER HOOD. STOPPED AND CHECKED LOCATION. NOTICED FAN HAD SHIFTED POSITION. THIS CAUSED IT TO HIT THE SHROUD. MOUNTS FOR SUPPORTING RADIATOR HAD CRACKED. VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR CRACKS. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND INFORMED NO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 25, 2002

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD E-350. WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND THE ENGINE WOULD BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS DELAMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,910 AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 15, 2010

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 25, 2002

1998 Ford E-350 — common questions

Is the 1998 Ford E-350 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 70 complaints put the 1998 model at #6 of 53 E-350 years. It is one of the E-350 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 E-350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (14 complaints), brakes (12 complaints), engine (11 complaints).

Does the 1998 Ford E-350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Ford E-350. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Ford E-350 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford E-350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-350 years to avoid are 1997, 1995, 2005, 1999, 2006, 1998, 2004, 2000, 2002, 1994, 1996, 2003, 2001, 2008, 1993, 1992, 1989, 2013, 2021. The cleanest record among E-350 years belongs to 2027.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.