1998 Ford Econoline Problems
- Complaints
- 46filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 79,500miles, 8 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Ford Econoline (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1998 Ford Econoline. The part named most often is brakes, with 7 complaints (15% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (7) and engine cooling (6). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 79,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes7 15%
- Engine cooling6 13%
- Fuel system6 13%
- Tires5 11%
- Suspension4 8.7%
- Electrical system3 6.5%
- Body and structure3 6.5%
- Air bags2 4.3%
Also reported: Wheels (2), Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1), Interior lighting (1), Other or unknown (1), Seats (1), Steering (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “Have been driving for over 40 years. Have never had brake pads wear out this fast. Belive there must be a problem with the ABS braking system, but unable to get Ford to help with this problem. The Ford dealer told me that Ford sent out a letter to its dealers about premature pad failure at 12000 miles but would not give me a copy of this notice. When I called Ford all they would tell me is that the pads were not covered under the warranty . I don't seem to be able to get any more info from fords are the dealer. Keep gitting the run around. Thanks for any help you can give me.”
NHTSA complaint #743583, filed 2001-04Vehicle speed control: “1998 Ford Econoline recall on speed control. Consumer states that dealer did not have the parts and did not want him to make an appointment to have this resolved. He states that no one answered the 800 number on the recall notice.”
NHTSA complaint #10228508, filed 2008-05Engine cooling: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10013725, filed 2003-03, 45,000 milesFuel system: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10096822, filed 2004-10, 80,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
25% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 69,800 and 135,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 08V051000Feb 4, 2008Vehicle speed control › Cruise controlCovers: Ford Econoline 1992–2003, E-150 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003 +10 more
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…
- 00V284000Sep 21, 2000Equipment › Other › LabelsCovers: Ford Econoline 1998–2000, F-150 1998–2000, E-350 1998–2000 +2 more
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…
Recall details for the 1998 Ford Econoline → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10148820Apr 6, 2018Steering. This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly…
Other model years of the Ford Econoline
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 22 | 48,500 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 23 | 97,258 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 28 | 86,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 39 | 50,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 84 | 75,794 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 46 | 79,500 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 79 | 89,400 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 81 | 98,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 73 | 45,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 124 | 118,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1993 | 65 | 103,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1992 | 83 | 115,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 24 | 52,867 | 3 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 30 | 44,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 32 | — | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 22 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 15 | 110,000 | 4 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 7 | — | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 10 | — | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 7 | — | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford Econoline model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Ford Econoline have?
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1998 Ford Econoline as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Ford Econoline is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 7 complaints (15% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 7.
Has the 1998 Ford Econoline been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Ford Econoline reported?
Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 79,500 miles and the middle half falls between 69,800 and 135,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.