1998 Ford Econoline problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 61 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 40.7 times the median Econoline year — the 1998 model ranks #8 of 48 Econoline years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (10), speed control (8), and tires & wheels (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Econoline years?

Econoline NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Econoline years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Ford Econoline problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Brakes	10	16%	▼ down
Speed Control	8	13%	— flat
Engine	7	11%	▼ down
Tires & Wheels	7	11%	▼ down
Fuel System	6	10%	▲ up
Electrical System	5	8%	▲ up
Suspension	4	7%	— flat
Lighting	3	5%	▲ up
Body & Structure	3	5%	— flat
Visibility & Wipers	3	5%	▼ down
Airbags	2	3%	— flat
Steering	1	2%	▼ down
Seats	1	2%	▼ down
Other	1	2%	— flat

Does the 1998 Ford Econoline have recalls?

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

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

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.

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.

“REAR BRAKES MALFUNCTION, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, CAUSING FRONT WHEELS TO LOCK UP. ALSO, AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON, INDICATING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG SYSTEM WHICH MAY NOT DEPLOY IN EVENT OF A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 24, 1999

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V051000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL) IN FEBRUARY OF 2008. THE PARTS ARE STILL UNAVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 43,000. UPDATED 4/11/08 *CN”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 13, 2008

“ENGINE CHECK LIGHT IS ILLUMINATING, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN CYLINDER HEAD AND TEMPERATURE SENSOR. MECHANIC AT FORD DEALER STATED THAT MANUFACTURER HAS NOT PRODUCED SENSOR FOR ECONOLINE TRUCK, RESULTING IN FALSE WARNING TO CHECK ENGINE ON VEHICLE. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

“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”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 19, 2006

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ECONOLINE E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK FRACTURED AND WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 1, 2010

1998 Ford Econoline — common questions

Is the 1998 Ford Econoline reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 61 complaints put the 1998 model at #8 of 48 Econoline years. It is one of the Econoline years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Econoline problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (10 complaints), speed control (8 complaints), tires & wheels (7 complaints).

Does the 1998 Ford Econoline have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Ford Econoline. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Ford Econoline under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Econoline years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Econoline years to avoid are 1994, 1992, 1999, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1993, 1998, 2000, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1988, 2001. The cleanest record among Econoline years belongs to 2026.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1998 compare to other Econoline years?

What are the most common 1998 Ford Econoline problems?

Does the 1998 Ford Econoline have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1998 Ford Econoline — common questions

Is the 1998 Ford Econoline reliable?

What are the most common 1998 Econoline problems?

Does the 1998 Ford Econoline have recalls?

Is the 1998 Ford Econoline under NHTSA investigation?

Which Ford Econoline years should you avoid?

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